Is it Hazmat?

Confusion often arises among those new to cleaning after death, pathogens, and HAZMAT. Reading here will help clarify some questions about HAZMAT and pathogens (disease and suffering).

HAZMAT is an abbreviation of hazardous material. It refers to any solid, gas, or liquid that causes harm to humans and other organisms. Likewise, HAZMAT may cause damage to property and habitat.

There are differences between HAZMAT and pathogens (bio-hazardous) in the context of cleaning after death. Pathogens are HAZMAT in the sense that blood containing disease carrying bacteria and viruses are hazardous in some circumstances. So there is an overlap between an understanding of the two.

HAZMAT may be liquid or semi-liquid like blood and other human matter. HAZMAT may also be liquid in other dangerous forms, like corrosives, mercury, and petroleum based products. Solids and gases may also be HAZMAT. Explosives, which may be in liquid, semi-liquid, or solid form are also HAZMAT.

The transportation of HAZMAT requires specialized transporting tools, containers, vehicles, and placards.

The transportation of pathogenic blood and other human matter also requires special handling and special transportation considerations.