5 Reasons To Call a Professional for Biohazard Cleanup

Are you dealing with a biohazard? Whether it’s at home or in the workplace, knowing who to call for proper biohazard cleanup is important for the reasons mentioned below. 

What Is a Biohazard? 

Before we dive into the top reasons to call a professional for proper biohazard cleanup, let’s first discuss what a biohazard is. 

A biohazard is any biological material that is considered to pose a health risk to people. As such, a wide range of biological materials can be considered biohazards. This list includes but isn’t limited to: 

• Bodily fluids and pathological waste, including amniotic fluid, human tissue from biopsies and autopsies, and other secretions
• Blood, both human and animal
• Viruses, cultures, and other microbiological waste found in a laboratory setting
• Needles, IV tubing, scalpels, and other related sharps

As you can see, there are many human and animal products that can be considered biohazards. Here are the top five reasons why you need to call a professional for help if you’re dealing with these: 

1. It’s Dangerous 

Let’s start with one of the most common reasons to hire a professional biohazard cleanup crew: it’s dangerous. 

Exposure to biohazards can put you at risk of developing illnesses. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ranks biohazards based on their level of contagion. Level 1 biohazards, for example, can lead to Bacillus subtilis or E. coli. 

Though these may trigger some uncomfortable symptoms, neither one is likely to cause serious harm. As such, they are ranked as the lowest form of biohazard. 

Level 4 biohazards, on the other hand, can lead to illnesses such as Ebola, which has no treatments available. As such, the development of Ebola is life-threatening. Since you may not always know what level of biohazard you’re dealing with, you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to something that can hurt you. 

This is one of the top reasons that biohazards are best left to the professionals. 

2. You Lack the Proper Protective Gear

This entry coincides with the first. Since you don’t know what level of biohazard you’re dealing with, you may be inadvertently exposing yourself to something harmful.

This is going to be especially true if you don’t possess the proper protective gear. And the reality is that you likely don’t. 

Biohazard cleanup techs wear the following when cleaning up a biohazard scene: 

• Eye goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Hazmat suits
• Chemical spill boots
• Face masks
• Waterproof coveralls

…and this is just to name a few! Your tech will have access to the proper protective gear needed to clear out biohazards. 

3. It’s Too Emotional 

Unfortunately, biohazards may be the result of a tragedy such as someone taking their life or an assault. This is an extremely sensitive and emotional matter for everyone involved. In cases like this, hiring a professional to come in protects you from images you don’t need in your head. 

In sensitive situations such as this, our techs will wear unmarked gear to avoid drawing attention to your property. 

4. You Aren’t Sure How to Dispose of It 

Another reason you may have to hire a professional is because you aren’t sure of how or where to dispose of biohazards. 

If you work in a lab setting, there are procedures in place for how biohazards should be properly discarded. However, if you’re hiring a biohazard cleanup for your home, things may not be as clear. 

Your tech will know how to properly bag everything and where to dispose of it. In fact, in Oregon, it’s illegal to dispose of sharps or medical waste unless it’s in an approved container. This just further proves that hiring a professional biohazard cleanup company is in your best interests. Otherwise, you could risk a fine and other disciplinary action. 

5. It’s Not Your Job

Why hire a biohazard cleanup company? Because cleaning up biohazards may not be your job. But it is ours! 

Hiring a professional to treat biohazards ensures your safety and the integrity of your home. If you’re dealing with a biohazard of any kind, turn to PNW Restoration for help. 

Contact PNW Restoration for All Your Biohazard Cleanup Needs in Portland, OR!

The team at PNW Restoration has years of experience treating biohazards, both large and small. We possess the proper protective gear to get the job done and keep biohazards contained. 

You don’t need to deal with biohazard cleanup or any part of the disposal process yourself. Instead, call the pros at PNW Restoration for help. We can be reached at 971-247-3661 or through our secure online contact form. 

Our company proudly serves the greater Portland area, including West Linn, Aloha, Gresham, and Hillsboro. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment for quality and professional biohazard cleanup in Oregon.