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The city of Palo Alto, California, is part of both the San Francisco Metropolitan Area and Silicon Valley. It plays host to 1,000-year-old redwood forests, a vibrant downtown area, and several of the nation’s most cutting-edge technology companies. For these reasons and more, most would not argue with the fact that Palo Alto is one of the most progressive and upscale communities in the country.
With that said, this vibrant community is still not immune to tragedy. Inevitably, every year there are occurrences that uproot Palo Alto residents’ pleasant way of life. Unfortunately, many of these incidents have a common link – the need for biohazard remediation services.
Situations That Require Biohazard Cleanup
There are several common situations that necessitate biohazard remediation, including:
- Homicides
- Violent crimes
- Suicides
- Unattended deaths
- Rodent infestations
- Hoarding
- Homeless encampments
- Meth and fentanyl labs
What Are Biohazards?
Biohazardous waste consists of biological substances that pose an innate threat to human health or the environment. Biohazards may contain infectious bacteria or viruses, including:
- Blood
- Bodily fluids
- Bodily tissue
- Other biological materials
- Contaminated items
These substances are a danger to humans because they are likely to carry viruses and bacteria. What’s more, they have the potential to cause severe and sometimes fatal diseases.
Suicide Scene Cleanup in Palo Alto
The recently released documentary, “The Edge of Success,” explores the alarmingly high teen suicide rates within the public schools of some of Silicon Valley’s most coveted communities, including Palo Alto. Meanwhile, the CDC also published its findings regarding this critical public health issue. According to the report, Palo Alto had the highest youth suicide rate in the county, with roughly 14.1 teen suicides per every 100,000 residents. The findings have been the talk of the bay area, prompting headlines like San Francisco Gates’s “Why are Palo Alto’s Kids Killing Themselves?.”
As community educators and mental health professionals work to identify early warning signs and provide resources to those at risk for suicide, some area residents are left to cope with the unthinkable – cleaning up the scene of their loved one’s suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50% of the nation’s suicides are executed with firearms.
As if the psychological impact of seeing a suicide scene isn’t enough, these sites are also often contaminated with biohazards, including blood, bodily tissue, and human waste.
Unattended Death Cleanup in Palo Alto
Most people fear dying alone, but how common is such an occurrence? After responding to many unattended death scenes, we think its safe to say that these occurrences are much more common than most people would wish to believe. In fact, since the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that more people are dying alone now more than ever before. However, it’s not just viruses that leave members of society to take their last breathes in isolation. Other common causes of unattended deaths include:
- Accidents
- Sudden health issues
- Suicides
- Homicides
- Old age
The sad truth is that many people are detached from family and friends. In many instances, this means they are left to die alone. When this happens, days and sometimes even weeks pass before someone finds the deceased’s body.
Those that come upon a dead body are often struck by immeasurable feelings of grief and guilt, especially when that body has had time to decompose. The moment a person’s heart stops beating, their body becomes fodder for bacteria and parasites. In the warm, humid climate of southern California, decomposition happens fast. The putrid smells and sights can become unbearable within a matter of hours.
Due to the health risks and disturbing nature of these scenes, cleanup is best left to the professionals. They can eliminate all contaminated materials, foul odors, and stains to ensure that there are no health hazards within a home or business. In doing so, they enable the survivors of suicide to navigate their grief without incurring additional trauma.
Rodent Dropping Cleanup in Palo Alto
One of the greatest modern-day misfortunes to plague the citizens of Palo Alto is rodent infestation. A recent article in the Palo Alto Daily Post detailed how the rapidly increasing rodent population deemed the ‘rat epidemic’ was resulting in some local exterminators having to turn down customers.
Roof rats, Norway rats, and mice are a constant frustration for many members of the community. But destroyed vegetable gardens and late-night clatter are the least of their problems. It’s the dangers posed by rodent droppings, nesting materials, and waste products that have area health experts up in arms.
Hantavirus, salmonella, rat-bite fever, and plague are just a few dangers that residents must tack on to their list concerns that stem from lurking rodent infestations.
Once you’ve got your infestation under control, it’s best to call a professional rodent dropping remediator. They will be able to remove any remaining feces, urine, and nesting materials so that you, your loved ones, guests, and patrons can enjoy your property without worry or risk.
You Are Not Alone
Eco Bear is a locally owned and operated business that offers comprehensive biohazard remediation services to the greater Palo Alto community. Our dedicated, experienced technicians are here to help you weather challenging situations that require biohazard cleaning services. We are available 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year! Give us a call at (818) 358-4359 for immediate assistance.
