Exposure to raw sewage can pose serious health risks. Contact with sewage can lead to infections, diseases, and other health issues. It is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with sewage backups and to take precautions to protect yourself and your family.
### Symptoms of Exposure to Sewage
Common symptoms of exposure to sewage backup can include:
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Skin irritation
– Eye irritation
– Respiratory irritation
### Health Risks of Exposure to Sewage
– **Gastrointestinal Illness:** Sewage contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms can cause gastrointestinal illness, such as food poisoning, dysentery, and hepatitis A.
– **Skin Infections:** Contact with sewage can cause skin infections, such as impetigo and cellulitis.
– **Eye Infections:** Sewage can contain bacteria and chemicals that can cause eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and corneal ulcers.
– **Respiratory Infections:** Inhaling sewage fumes can cause respiratory infections, including pneumonia and bronchitis.
– **Long-Term Health Effects:** Chronic exposure to sewage has been linked to an increased risk of developing certain health conditions in the future, such as kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer.
## Is a Sewer Backup a Biohazard?
Yes, a sewer backup is a biohazard. Raw sewage contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause disease. It is important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family from exposure to sewage by contacting a qualified sewage cleanup service.
### How to Protect Yourself from Sewage Exposure
– Avoid contact with sewage.
– If you come into contact with sewage, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
– Disinfect any surfaces that may have come into contact with sewage.
– If you experience any symptoms of exposure to sewage, contact your doctor immediately.