The value of this page is to help people understand the importance of proper clean-up and handling of blood and body fluids. In the past we never knew about the properties and disease that can have life threatening consequences by improper handling and cleaning of contaminated blood. Today there is Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a virus that has no vaccines or cure.  Hepatitis A and B have vaccines and there is treatment for HIV infected persons, HIV is the Virus that can develop into AIDS and there is treatment for those who develop AIDS making this less of a problem today.

How many other diseases and problems that we do not know about have potential for our health and well being is not known. One thing is known is that there are laws that serve to help protect us if follow or practiced by trained professionals. Those that ignore proper procedures put not just themselves at risk but all that come in contact with contaminated blood and body fluids. This is a risk that we do not want to see especially if we or our loved ones are the victims. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C because the virus changes easily, making it difficult to develop an effective vaccine. The FDA has approved drugs for treating some persons with chronic hepatitis C. However the treatments do not help all persons who have hepatitis C.

Dried blood and body fluids should never be cleaned up in the dry state as these can have very small particles that become airborne and find their way into your body causing you or someone else to become infected.  Not all persons have the proper means to clean, treat, disinfect, transport, store and arrange for proper pickup of blood and body fluids. In fact there are regulations governing proper disposal of blood and body fluids which could cause a person to incur heavy fines if not properly handled.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Regulation 29 CFR1910;1030, is the Regulation that anyone who has an employee must follow.  In fact all employers come under this regulation rather they know it or not. In part it states that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to blood spills), without first:

• Receiving Bloodborne Pathogen Training (BBP)
• Having a written BBP exposure control plan (ECP).
• Having been provided personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Having been offered Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation and follow-up.
• Being provided with a method to remove and properly store the bio-hazardous waste at an approved site.

Only after these steps have been met can an employee be required, by his or her employer, to clean a bio-hazardous/crime or death scene.

All ABRA members meet or exceed these requirements. Most janitorial or cleaning and restoration companies do not meet these requirements but they do offer services for cleaning blood and body fluids illegally because either no one else will do it or they simply do not care and are only out to make a quick buck.

All Blood and Body Fluids must be treated as if it is contaminated. There are no exceptions in this category as the first time you ignore this rule could be the last time you may do so without contacting a disease or life threaten condition. Please read the following about blood.

JUST A LITTLE BLOOD

Many people feel that just a little blood is no big deal. When a Biorecovery technician informs a person about the potential dangers many simply ignore the problem taking a huge risk with other peoples lives and setting themselves up for a big liability or lawsuit.

The Centers for Disease Control has stated that viable HIV and Hepatitis B and C virus has been found in dried blood pools after 7 days. The statement does not specify how many virus particles were found or if the amount was in the infectious range (estimated at 900-1000 particles for Hep C (HCV) and 25,000-200,000 for HIV). Other sources indicate that Hep C (HCV) dies at a rate of 25% per 9 days. If we start with 1,000,000 Hep C (HCV) particles in dried blood on January first, January 10 gives us 750,000 (750,000 x 0.75) and January 18 gives us 562,500 and January 27 still has 421,875. Around the first week of August the suspected infectious dose is reached. Starting with only a million is not realistic since many millions of particles are found in a drop of blood, but you should get the idea. I have been told that viable Hep C (HCV) has been found in blood samples stored for 50+ years but I cannot find the reference source to confirm that information. I have been informed HIV could be viable in a cadaver up to 16 weeks. No reference.

Hepatitis B (HBV) is the greatest risk for a biorecovery technician or anyone else coming in contact with human blood. If a person has not been properly trained for biorecovery they should not do the clean up until they have been properly trained and if an employer fails to follow the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Regulations (BBP) it could cost them very large fines that could ultimately cost them their business or Home. 

If an area can not be reached for cleaning and disinfecting the area should be considered a hazard for months after work is completed.