Biohazards 101

Our team at Restorative Pros Inc. has extensive experience in cleaning up after disasters of all kinds. We deal with the toughest messes, including those that involve biohazards, which would be unsafe to clean up without specialized protective equipment. In this article, our team will provide an overview of what constitutes a biohazard, so you know when to call us for help.

A biohazard is any substance that can negatively impact human health or damage the biological environment. Biohazards can cause:

• Infection – Bacteria, viruses, and fungi all fall into this category of biohazard. In some contexts, these biohazards can be found on their own, such as in a lab setting, but they more commonly appear in things like sewage or in infected bodily fluids or tissues.

• Allergic Reactions – Mold is an example of this type of biohazard. Other allergens, such as pet dander, also technically qualify, but since they don’t have the same potential to spread and grow, they do not require the same safety protocols for handling and disposing of them.

• Poisoning – Another category of biohazards is those that can cause poisoning when ingested, inhaled, or applied to the skin. This category includes things like toxins from plants or animals, such as poison ivy.

• Chronic Disease – Long-term exposure to certain biohazards can create chronic health problems. For example, prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause ongoing (and worsening) respiratory symptoms.

If you have questions about biohazards, we encourage you to give us a call in order to learn more. We can provide the answers you are looking for about how to identify biohazards and what to do if you come into contact with them.