The Health Risks of Improper Biohazard Cleanup and How to Avoid Them

Biohazards, which include blood, bodily fluids, sewage, mold, and animal and medical waste, present serious or even life-threatening health problems if not properly handled.

DIY cleanup of these materials can spread dangerous pathogens, putting both individuals and larger communities at risk. While it may seem like a good idea to handle it all yourself and save money, getting professional assistance helps ensure your family’s safety and well-being.

In the Chicagoland area, where urban flooding, sewage backups, and hoarding situations are not uncommon, understanding the perils associated with improper biohazard cleanup is essential for property owners and managers. 

How to Know If You’re Dealing with a Biohazard

In the context of property damage, biohazards are any substances that threaten the health of living organisms and often result from traumatic events, accidents, flooding, or long-term neglect. Contagious illness events such as the COVID-19 pandemic can also create a biohazard situation.

One of the most common causes of contamination in homes and businesses is plumbing disasters. Chicago’s 4,400 miles of aging wastewater infrastructure has sections that are over 100 years old and were designed when storm patterns in this region were very different.

Per the city’s website, as much as 500 gallons of water can fall on the average residential rooftop from heavy rain, which quickly overloads the municipal system and leads to horrific basement flooding and sewage backups.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but waste and flood water can be deadly, containing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, airborne particles, toxins, protozoa, parasitic worms, and other harmful materials that make you very sick if touched, breathed, or ingested.

Severe hoarding can create biohazardous conditions, especially when it involves animal waste, rotting food, or accumulated moisture leading to mold growth. Mold can begin to grow just 24 to 48 hours after a spill, flood, or leak, and can cause allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and long-term lung damage.

Incidents involving bodily fluids or decomposition require specialized cleanup to prevent the possible spread of bloodborne pathogens. Our experienced and compassionate technicians help homeowners heal from tragedy by professionally handling every detail of this difficult process.

Mitigating Risks

Biohazardous materials are categorized based on the level of risk they present:

• Level 1: Low-risk agents that pose a minimal threat, like non-disease-causing bacteria.
• Level 2: Moderate-risk agents that can cause mild diseases, such as certain strains of E. coli.
• Level 3: High-risk agents that can cause serious illness and spread easily, like tuberculosis bacteria or hepatitis.
• Level 4: Extremely high-risk agents that pose a severe threat, like the Ebola virus or toxic chemicals.

Even Level 2 biohazards, which are relatively common in residential settings, can cause major health issues if not handled correctly. For instance, sewage overflows often contain bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Hepatitis A, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, liver damage, and other detrimental conditions. 

Some biohazards release toxic gases or chemicals. For example, sewage contains not only bacteria but also dangerous gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to these gases can bring on dizziness, headaches, respiratory distress, and in severe cases, death.

An amateur cleanup can attract pests, such as rodents and insects, which can carry additional diseases. In hoarding situations, the accumulation of waste and organic materials can create a breeding ground for these pests, leading to secondary biohazard concerns.

Failure to adequately clean and contain a biohazard can result in cross-contamination, spreading harmful agents to other areas of the property. This can occur through improper disposal of contaminated materials or inadequate disinfection of tools and equipment used during cleanup.

Given the severe health issues associated with biohazards, it’s essential to ensure safety and thorough remediation by hiring a professional biohazard cleanup team utilizing appropriate PPE, including respirators, protective suits, and gloves, to minimize exposure risks.

Underlying Causes and Special Considerations

Biohazard cleanup is subject to strict regulations and guidelines set by OSHA, the EPA, and local health departments. PuroClean of Evanston ensures that all cleanup and disposal procedures comply with these regulations, protecting property owners from potential legal issues.

Regular plumbing inspections and ensuring proper ventilation in basements can reduce the likelihood of mold growth. Similarly, providing support for individuals dealing with hoarding can help prevent the accumulation of hazardous materials.

In many cases, biohazards are due to underlying problems, such as water leaks, blocked gutters, or inadequate drainage, or they’re the result of an unfortunate accident. Our professional technicians not only manage the biohazard cleanup but also work to handle the situation with sensitivity, ensuring that your family’s privacy and dignity are respected.

Chicago’s urban landscape and climate present unique challenges when it comes to biohazard cleanup, but our highly trained staff has years of experience helping property owners get their lives back to normal. We’re available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!