What You Should Know About Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are one of the reasons why it’s important to hire a professional cleaning service in Orlando if an unattended death, suicide, or crime happens in your home. These pathogens can put your health and the health of your family at risk, and attempting to clean them without the proper training could lead to you becoming infected. Here are the facts you need to know about bloodborne pathogens.

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Pathogens are microorganisms that are present in blood that can lead to infections and disease. Although there are several different kinds of pathogens, but the most common ones are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. When these pathogens are present in blood that you are exposed to, you run the risk contracting these diseases. Pathogens can enter your body via cuts or other openings in your skin and mucous membranes.

Can I clean up blood if I wear gloves?

Although gloves may offer some form of protection, training is the real issue when it comes to blood cleanup. Even with your best safety efforts, you run the risk of puncturing your gloves and becoming exposed to blood if you lack the appropriate training for dealing with the risk. Because of the risk to public health, you are also not permitted to dispose of biohazardous waste material in your regular trash. Instead, you must follow all local regulations for disposal in appropriate locations, which you may not be able to access without licensing.

Who should clean up blood?

Crime scene cleanup teams have trained cleaners who know how to handle and dispose of biohazardous material safely. Additionally, they have specialized cleaners that break down the blood that may be beneath the surfaces of porous items, so that it can be thoroughly cleaned and sealants that can trap any lingering hazards in place. Hiring a professional blood cleanup service is the best way to ensure that your family is safe from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.