Biohazard – Any type of biological waste or biological agent such as a virus or a condition that constitutes a threat to humans. Biohazards must be eliminated by professionals such as On Call Bio-Minnesota otherwise they can cause serious health effects and continuous exposure. If not properly removed and cleared of any biohazards, this can lead to long term adverse health effects of occupants.

Biohazardous agent – A biological agent or condition (such as an infectious organism or insecure laboratory procedures) that constitutes a hazard to humans or the environment.

Biohazard remediation – Cleanup and disinfection of any biohazard situation. Including hoarding, commercial or industrial accidents, chemical spills, or contamination scenarios.

Biological waste – Any material that contains or has been contaminated by a biohazardous agent.

Crime scene cleanup – Cleanup of blood, other bodily fluids such as urine, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). It is also referred to as biohazard remediation because crime scenes are only a portion of the situations in which biohazard cleaning is needed.

Cleanup operation – When hazardous substances are removed, confined, stabilized, or in any other manner; with the vital goal of making the scene safer for people or the environment.

Decontamination – The removal of hazardous substances to avoid or minimize potential dangerous health effects.

Facility – Any building or structure.

Hazardous materials response (HAZMAT) – An organized group of trained professionals who handle and control actual or potential leakages or spills of hazardous substances. Quite often requiring being very close to the substance.

Hoarding/Hoarder – A word that describes anyone that feels the need to find, collect, keep, pack ANY and everything because they do not know how to throw things away. This can lead to dangerous situations like sanitation issues, fires, injuries, and isolation.

Infectious agent – Something that invades another living thing (like a virus to a human). When an infectious agent “hitches a ride”, the “driver” officially become an infected host. There are four main classes of infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Trauma – A deeply disturbing or distressing experience or physical injury.