Biohazardous Situations on our Salem Streets

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Let’s face it, today more than ever, we are faced with more bio-hazardous situations when we go out into public than even 5 years ago. Downtown Salem is very hard to navigate at times, and we have all come across bio-hazardous items on the street downtown.

What are the bio-hazardous items that might be dangerous that you have encountered?

For an example, any area that smells of urine is a telltale sign that the area is contaminated. It’s difficult to determine where urine is without a product to spray and identify the areas affected…so tread carefully. As a precautionary measure you can wash your shoes if you suspect you have walked in a urine contaminated space.

Fecal matter is also a common bio-hazardous item that unfortunately has become a common thing to stumble across when out and about in downtown Salem, this is an extremely hazardous occurrence and should be reported and cleaned up by professionals immediately. Don’t try to clean fecal matter up yourself, it’s much different from picking up poop with a doggy poop bag. It’s better to report it, and have a professional pick it up and decontaminate the area.

Any food items that have been half-eaten and discarded, and beverages that have been partially-drank and discarded, can easily have Bio-Hazardous materials on them from the saliva of the person last drinking and eating them (granted they are not as hazardous as fecal matter, but still should be avoided) if you choose to pick up and discard these items, make sure to clean your hands properly after handling them.

Needles, Sharp Objects, and Syringes. These should be avoided at all costs. If you see any syringe, needle, or sharp element, report it immediately. Do not attempt to pick up the item and discard it yourself. Precautions are in place for our technicians that are assigned with such a task for a reason, you can never be too careful when it comes to something that might be contaminated and can easily penetrate the human skin.

Bottom line, be aware and be careful when out and about. We look forward to the day that our streets are free from fecal matter and urine and garbage, but no one knows when that may happen. No one knows when a solution will be sourced, and until that day…take extra care when out and about. Carry hand wipes (disposable gloves if you regularly pick up garbage) and hand sanitizer. We will be able to enjoy the clean streets of downtown Salem again, but until that day, better safety measures should be taken.