The term biohazard might call to mind episodes of CSI or Bones, but it happens every day in real life that a biohazard gets released into La Conchita homes and businesses. It does not require a train derailment or other major disaster. When a person dies and their body is not immediately discovered, it creates a biohazard. When the residents of a home contract COVID-19, it creates a biohazard. A flood that creates mold and mildew in the walls, floor and/or ceiling creates a biohazard.
In these tough times of COVID-19, you need to go the extra mile to ensure you and your family’s safety. If you have had a loved one diagnosed with COVID-19, you probably do not associate the word biohazard with them, but it is associated with their disease. Once you take them to the hospital, you should have your home cleaned by our biohazard team. Few people realize that even the facemasks we were to protect ourselves become medical waste once we remove them.
Safety Precautions
We combine a sympathetic attitude with biohazardous decontamination safety practices and methods defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA). Biohazard and hazardous materials range from living organisms to man-made chemicals. This type of materials cleanup requires personal protective equipment (PPE) beyond what a typical household has on hand and specialized cleaning agents. Numerous other situations also constitute a biohazard.
Decontamination Time Frame
The cleanup process and the time frame varies depending on the nature of the biohazard. Removing pet odors typically requires only a few hours while a crime scene can take days to clean. Medical waste cleanup varies depending on what it entails. Work occurs in stages with biohazard, chemical spill and waste removal occurring separately. While you may not think of hoarding as a biohazard, the authorities do. Hoarders typically keep everything and that includes chemical products and pesticides. This can require a biohazard crew as can the mold and mildew that occurs when boxes and liquids are stored improperly.
Other factors involved include the type of surface that must be cleaned. Porous surfaces create challenges for cleanup. Concrete and carpet commonly take longer to clean. In cases of floods, fires, smoke damage, etc., the biohazard cleanup crew may need to replace the sub-floor, drywall or paint. One common example of the latter includes when a home or business discovers lead paint was previously used. This requires stripping the old paint to re-paint with safe paint.
The surface size also affects the cleanup time required. Also, if an area has been off-limits, such as an area declared a crime scene, it can require longer to remove the contamination.
Eco Bear uses specialized equipment required for cleanup that goes far beyond what the typical homeowner would have in their home. It includes air scrubbers, hospital-grade 3 disinfectants, negative air machines, ozone machines, respirators and hazard suits and masks. It takes much more than elbow grease and bleach.
Your biohazard cleanup also includes waste pick-up. This may be something we handle or something that requires a partner firm. It depends on OSHA requirements for disposal.
Our cleanup and restoration services include the following levels of cleaning:
- Biosafety level-1: creates a minimal threat to human health and wellbeing
- Biosafety level-2: creates a severe threat from direct contact
- Biosafety level-3: creates a serious or fatal threat due to airborne pathogens; a vaccine exists
- Biosafety level-4: creates a high-risk threat of a life-threatening disease; no current vaccine
Biohazard Cleanup Attitudes
The La Conchita Eco Bear team respects what you have gone through and the reasons for your needing the cleanup. Our company provides our services with the utmost respect and sympathies. No one needs to call us unless something horrific has happened and we understand that.
Whether a crime occurred in your home or unattended death, we can arrive quickly and address the problem of the odors, stains, damage or spills with empathy and sympathy. We understand the emotional issues one may go through when dealing with the sudden illness or injury to a friend or family member. It is worse when it happens on the premises of your home or business. In these cases, we recommend a qualified therapist or counselor accompany us to the home. This may also be helpful when dealing with a hoarding situation.
Call Eco Bear when you need a biohazard cleaning company in Barstow, California. We can help you clean and decontaminate your home or business, so you can restore your life to some semblance of normalcy.