One of the most alarming and dangerous situations that can occur in a residence or business is the contamination of the premises by water containing human waste. If you ever find yourself in a situation in which you face a significant flow of wastewater into your residence, there are specific tactics you must employ to fully protect your health and welfare and that of your family. Included in these tactics is staying fully clear of any contaminated areas and to seek professional human waste disposal.
Classifying Human Waste Contamination
There are some instances in which the flow of human waste into a residence or business is highly limited. A prime example of a truly limited incursion into a residence by contaminated water containing human waste is when a toilet temporarily clogs, causing fouled water to spill into a bathroom. Generally speaking, this type of minimal incursion into a home or business by water containing human waste can be cleaned up without professional intervention. With that said, appropriate protective gear needs to be worn when cleaning up the waste. In addition to the basic cleanup effort, the area contaminated by the wastewater does need to be appropriately disinfected.
A far more serious situation involves a largescale wastewater contamination of a home or business. This type of situation is discussed in detail in a moment.
Common Ways Professional Human Waste Disposal Becomes Necessary
There are a number of situations that can arise making professional human waste disposal necessary. One of the more common situations in which professional human waste disposal is needed is in a case in which a natural event causes flooding that impacts a private residence or business. A flood of this nature causes public sewage systems to backup and overflow. As a consequence, water containing human waste, also known as black water, can flood into residential and business property.
Another situation in which human waste on a larger scale can contaminate a residence or business is when sewage pipes and apparatuses in a residence malfunction. A malfunction can take many forms, resulting in the backup or flow of water containing raw sewage into a residence or business. This type of situation necessitates professional human waste disposal assistance.
Diseases in Human Waste
Human waste is particularly hazardous because it can contain an array of different types of pathogens which can cause diseases. Pathogens are biological organisms that have the capacity of causing illness in human beings. Examples of the types of pathogens that can infect a people who come into contact with human waste include:
- Giardia lamblia
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- Hookworm
- Tapeworm
- Ringworm
It is important to note that these are just some of the more common types of pathogens contained in human waste. The entire list of dangerous pathogens lurking in human waste is terribly long.
Human Waste Cleanup and Disposal Process
The human waste cleanup and disposal process is a multifaceted endeavor that commences with implementing appropriate safety protocols. These include isolating areas in a home or business that is contaminated by human waste. These areas must be cordoned off and no one is to be permitted access to them.
The next element of the safety protocols is to wear proper personal protective equipment when involved in cleaning and disinfecting the area contaminated by human waste. The personal protective equipment utilized for such a purpose must be rated for biohazard remediation. The equipment needs to include:
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
- HEPA mask or respirator
- Protective uniform
- Boots
The first step in the actual human waste cleanup and disposal process is the physical removal of feces, urine, and other matter.
Once the waste physically is eliminated, the disinfection of the contaminated area is necessary. Medical grade disinfectants are used for this purpose. In addition, specialized equipment is necessary to ensure that a contaminated area is fully and thoroughly disinfected.
The area impacted by floodwater or some other type of water incursion will also need to be dried. This involves the use of high-powered drying equipment.
A residence or business contaminated by human waste will also face an issue with foul odor. As part of the human waste disposal process, a professional remediation company will also undertake deodorization of the premises.
The ultimate objective of professional human waste disposal is to restore a home or business to a fully safe, healthy, usable condition. In addition, a professional ensures that the cleanup and disinfection process itself is undertaken in a wholly safe manner.