When basements flood, plumbing backs up, pipes burst, or any other time your indoor space is exposed to sewage and standing water, there are serious health risks involved. Both wastewater (sewage) and standing water (floodwater) carry pathogens that can negatively impact human and animal health. While we have almost eradicated certain diseases that are spread by the fecal-oral route, like cholera and dysentery, those illnesses can be reintroduced when wastewater and floodwater aren’t properly handled. In addition to bacteria in sewage, there are also a number of viruses and parasites that can be present in the wastewater. These biohazards require complete removal and sanitization whenever sewage exposure occurs. Even a clogged toilet overflow can introduce toxic substances into your home or business. If you are dealing with wastewater or floodwater exposure, we can help. ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration provides complete sewage cleanup in Frazer, PA, for any situation, including the safe removal of all contaminated materials, sanitization, and deodorization.
Sewage Cleanup
The horrible smell and staining of sewage exposure are just the tip of the iceberg for potential damage to your indoor space and belongings. Those toxic materials are an initial danger, but you also face the risk of long-term erosion of building materials from exposure to caustic substances and the possibility of mold growth throughout your building.
Professional Cleanup
Without professional sewage cleanup, you may be at risk of exposure to the following bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens:
The Escherichia coli bacterium is common in wastewater. Infections cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and even respiratory conditions like pneumonia.
Shigellosis, caused by an infection of the shigella bacteria, leads to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, bloody stool, dehydration, and stomach pains.
Cholera is the result of an infection of the vibrio While rare in the United States, it can be present in wastewater and sewage. Cholera symptoms include acute diarrhea, fever, and severe dehydration.
Another common bacteria in wastewater, salmonella, causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. This infection can become severe enough for hospitalization.
Hep A, B, and C can all be present in wastewater, but the most common strain of the virus in sewage is hepatitis A (HAV). HAV infections cause fatigue, nausea, jaundice, and abdominal pain—especially just above your liver.
Crypto is a parasite that causes vomiting, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, and dehydration for up to two weeks in people with otherwise healthy immune systems.
This pathogen is a parasitic blood trematode species that causes schistosomiasis. Schistosomes burrow into the skin, travel through veins, and lay eggs in the body. Infections can lead to lesions in the nervous system, fever, cough, diarrhea, and more.
This is a short list of the many dangerous pathogens that can be found in standing water and wastewater. Other than pathogens, there is a laundry list of why exposure to sewage is detrimental to your health.
If you are in need of sewage cleanup in Frazer, PA, contact ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration at (610) 524-8003 to reach our main office today.