Bloodborne Pathogen Cleanup: Important Facts to Know

Some believe that bloodborne pathogen cleanup is only necessary in medical settings, but that is not the case. Wherever human blood is spilled, bloodborne pathogens could be present. It’s important to treat all blood as if it contains potentially harmful pathogens that could cause disease. Law enforcement should always practice and be aware of proper cleanup methods to protect themselves and others.

Important Facts to Know about Bloodborne Pathogen Cleanup

While it’s recommended that law enforcement or first responders contact a professional bioremediation company to ensure all bloodborne pathogens are removed, here are some important things you and your colleagues should know about bloodborne pathogen cleanup:

• Even if a crime scene or site in question looks clean, bloodborne pathogens could be lurking in the tiniest of drops not seen to the naked eye. That’s why you should treat all sites as if they are hazardous to your health. In fact, it’s best to hire professionals.
• Professionals who clean up bloodborne pathogens follow local, state, and federal regulations from various government agencies dictating proper cleaning and disposal methods of bloodborne pathogens.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be worn when cleaning up bloodborne pathogens. PPE can consist of face masks, glasses, gloves, aprons, full biohazard suits, and more, all designed to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Proper bloodborne pathogen cleanup involves specialized disposal procedures. Placing soiled items in doubled disposable red bags with “Biohazard” clearly marked, and giving them to a licensed infectious waste removal company, are two ways to protect the area and people from bloodborne pathogens.
• Never use bleach! Always use a product with a broad spectrum kill claim.

Cleaning Up Bloodborne Pathogens at Crime Scenes

When crime or trauma events occur, companies like Aftermath remediate and disinfect the area. For nearly 20 years, Aftermath has provided bloodborne pathogen cleanup, operating by a stringent set of compliance rules, regulations, and safety protocols. If you need bloodborne pathogen cleanup services, contact Aftermath 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What Exactly are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can potentially cause disease in humans. Some examples are:

• HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
• Hepatitis B and C
• C. diff
• MRSA (antibiotic-resistant bacteria)