When taking a walk, we all know not to touch any animal feces we come across but don’t think twice about cleaning up after our own pets. In the same way, we don’t hesitate to clean up after our family but wouldn’t touch any feces if we were cleaning up after a homeless camp or a trashed rental. So who would do that kind of cleaning and are feces a biohazard? Could you call a regular cleaning company or do you need to call a biohazard cleanup company to come take care of it?
Biohazards are any material that can possibly contain infectious diseases. For example, human feces can contain diseases such as C. diff, Hepatitis A and E, Giardia, E coli, Cholera, and Norovirus so, yes, human feces are a biohazard. These diseases can be dangerous and even fatal so it’s important to take the proper precautions when dealing with such material. While some regular cleaning companies are willing to clean minimal amounts of urine and feces, professional biohazard cleanup companies such as BioteamAZ are specifically trained to safely and thoroughly clean up biohazards such as bodily fluids, urine, feces, viruses, and bacteria.
Human Feces Is A Biohazard, But Not A Regulated Medical Waste
Since human fecal matter is only classified as a biohazard and not medical waste, you can throw it away in the regular trash. However, if the poop contains blood, then it does become classified as medical waste and may not be thrown away in the regular trash. Whoever owns the property is legally liable for any damages or any illness resulting from improper cleanup and disposal of the poop. So your best bet is to call a professional to clean up the feces to ensure that the area is completely cleaned, decontaminated and sanitized.
It’s Not Advisable to Clean up the Human Feces Yourself
Because of all the potential biohazards that may be contained in poop, cleaning up after human feces can be dangerous work. It takes specific skills, equipment, and cleaners to make sure all feces have been removed, the area properly cleaned, and yourself protected through the whole process. If you are facing the task of cleaning up human feces in a homeless encampment, a trashed rental, a hoarded home, or after a sewage backup, hire a company trained in the proper procedures and leave it to them to complete the work. In such unsanitary conditions, the chances of the feces carrying various diseases are much higher than they otherwise would be – diseases with which you and your loved ones don’t want to come into contact. Once the feces are removed, a professional company will also have the equipment and skills needed to permanently eliminate any lingering odor. You will then have peace of mind the area is free of all biohazards and is now fresh and clean.
Don’t Rely On Regular Household Cleaning Products
When it comes to the cleaning products we can buy in a store, they are limited in the amount of bacteria and viruses they are able to kill. Professional cleaners opt instead for industrial grade chemicals that kill off a higher percentage of pathogens. Make sure that what you’re using is strong enough for what you’re using it for and follow all directions.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the cleanup of human feces or other bodily fluids cleanup in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, or anywhere in the Arizona area, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
