As horrific as it may be to think about, the fact is that biohazard service cleanup is often an unexpected responsibility left behind by a crime or tragedy. This kind of work is complex and requires both technical expertise and soft skills like empathy, compassion, respect, and discretion. It is also highly regulated and must comply with all federal and state regulations.
What chemicals are used in biohazard cleaning?
First, a professional technician completes a walkthrough and OSHA-mandated employee-safety hazard assessment of the scene. This initial evaluation helps to determine the extent of the contamination and what steps are necessary for safe, effective removal. Then, the team isolates the affected area by following OSHA’s recommended cross-contamination protocol and separating it from unaffected areas. Next, the team removes all items and materials contaminated with blood or other biohazards. If the materials are reusable, they are sanitized or decontaminated and stored for disposal. If they are unsalvageable, they’re placed in biohazard bags and sent to a licensed medical waste incinerator.
The final step is cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing the affected area with industry-recommended cleaners and EPA-approved disinfectants. This work is tedious and meticulous, requiring the attention to detail of a trained professional. The team disinfects all surfaces including floors, ceilings, walls, and furniture. Then they deodorize the area using strong odor-neutralizing solutions or special equipment like air scrubbers. Once the work is complete, they test the area for any remaining contaminants and clean up any remaining blood or other biohazard materials using specialized cleaning techniques.