The Threat Posed By Sewage Spills

English: Protective Clothing. Workers in protective clothing to guard against contamination from hazardous waste. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just hearing the word 'sewage' conjures up vivid images of disgusting, sludgy matter. We all know exactly what it is and where it comes from, so it is horrifying when a burst sewage main means that you are faced with a sewage spill inside of your home. It's not just the fact that it is human excrement, it is also the smell and yet so many are still careless when it comes to cleaning it up. The fact is, sewage can pose a major health risk to us. It contains a multitude of pathogens and allergens which can transmit a variety of diseases.

Sewage is actually considered to be a bio-hazard and it must be handled very carefully. A sewage spill is not something you would attempt on your own. It requires protective clothing and specialist disposal procedures. Exposure to sewage can result in chronic respiratory illnesses and many other viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic health conditions. Contact with raw sewage or sewage contaminated waters can cause infections on the skin and ingestion of these materials can result in serious stomach illnesses. The many bacteria and viruses which live in raw sewage are also able to enter the blood stream via the smallest break in the skin which includes any cuts or grazes. These illnesses can be severe and in many cases fatal. This is why it is important not to take any risks where sewage is involved.

I will admit to being overly cautious about my health. Whenever I have experienced flooding, which used to be fairly regularly when we lived in Georgia, I would always assume that the water was potentially contaminated with sewage. I would rather call in the professionals who have the equipment and protective clothing than risk contracting one of the many diseases that sewage contamination is linked to.