Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Chris34 on June 04, 2008, 05:33:01 pm

Title: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: Chris34 on June 04, 2008, 05:33:01 pm
Hi all,

I have got a job to do that involves cleaning up loads of pigeon droppings and need some advice.  The job is indoors inside an empty unit that has mdf style flooring and it's been left far ages with a broken window where the pigeons were getting in and there is pigeon droppings absolutey everywhere.  In the worst parts you can't even see the floor.  Put it this way I think it's  a 100 hour job to get clean.

I need some advice on whether it's safe to clean and if it is safe can anyone recommend how I should clean it and if there are any cleaning chemicals that are recommended.

Any advice is much appreciated.



Chris.
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: BDCS on June 04, 2008, 07:20:40 pm
You need to spray it with disinfectant, bag it up and spray again. pigeon poop clear ups need FULL ppe,  a proper  dust mask is essential
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: Richy L on June 04, 2008, 08:26:08 pm
ive done this before, and like said, you need all the gear.
Pigeon poo can kill you.

I swept up the area first, bagged it then I used a pressure washer and disinfectant, i found this worked well.
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: Chris34 on June 05, 2008, 12:52:06 pm
Hi, thanks for the replies.  Does anyone know how dangerous it is to clear up?  Put it this way is it something to seriously worry about if you wear all the gear or is it something that the dangers are misunderstood? 

I have checked the internet for information and have found that you can catch about 5 different diseases from inhaling the stuff but only 3 of them show any symptoms when you catch it and the symptoms are just like catching the flu. 

I now get a response on here saying it can kill you and what concerns me is are there any long term illnesses (lung damage, poisoning of organs etc) or is just a case where you catch the flu and that's as bad as it gets?

I'll do some more hunting around the net but if anyone has any more info that may ease my concerns then I would very much appreciate any more information.


Cheers,


Chris.
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: Alex Wingrove on June 05, 2008, 01:51:18 pm
just get a decent suit, and mask, and your away, we did that and didnt have any problems, it can get very hot and sweaty, so price it up with stopping every 30mins to clear your face and breath some fresh air
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: robert eyres on June 05, 2008, 04:57:01 pm
it is a lot more serious than your getting lead to believe, pigeon dropping can contain many virus's and can lead to long term health defects, this is a specialised field to work in and there is a lot to know before undertaking this type of work on.
Title: Re: Cleaning pigeon droppings
Post by: Chris34 on June 05, 2008, 10:32:21 pm
Ok thanks for the advice.  I'll not go near the job without seeking specialist advice and if there is long-term health issues then I'll turn it down, nothing is worth sacrificing my health just to get a quick buck.

If it was not to bad I wouldn't be as wary but the place is worse than anything I've seen before.  God help the caretaker there because he has already shovelled up all the solids and apparently it was up to 2 inches thick in places.  I very much doubt he had any protective gear and it would have taken him about 10 hours to do the work he has done in there. 

Thanks for the advice it confirms for me that it is something that you have to be wary about.


Cheers,



Chris.