Bio-One of Chester County decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

August Newsletter

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Is your "good boy" going through a tough time?

Is she adjusting to the a new environment of did you get that new puppy for your kids and it is going to the bathroom EVERYWHERE? Maybe you just want a hand getting things back on track? 

Bio-One specializes in urine, blood & feces cleanup. Animal feces/urine are bio-hazardous waste, and disinfecting a home or business that has been exposed to these materials requires expert help. The cleanup and disinfection of pet urine and feces need to be done professionally because soap and water are not enough to decontaminate the surfaces. Not only do we thoroughly clean the area, but we get rid of the odor too.  

Bio-One technicians follow professional safety norms, while utilizing specialized equipment and training protocols in Philadelphia Area. If not treated professionally, animal feces/urine—and other body fluids like blood and vomit can cause diseases and spread viruses. 

Homes and businesses cannot afford to leave these infected areas unattended for too long, not with the serious risk of infectious disease. Bio-One will assess an area’s unique problem before tailoring a disinfection protocol plan.

Call for a free estimate: 484-995-3949

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Unattended Deaths 

Unattended death refers to a death that happens when no one is around. More often than not, the body remains undiscovered until several days or weeks have passed.

Some unattended deaths turn out to be suicides or homicides. Dealing with an unattended death can be traumatic for you and your family. 

Bio-One offers unattended death cleaning services you can depend on during this difficult time. 

We are here to help you navigate the issues involved in unattended death cleanup and to provide the highest standards in biohazard remediation.

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Our licensed technicians disinfect and deodorize residential, commercial and industrial locations affected by body decomposition. In many cases bodies decompose at rapid speeds, especially in warm climates, which leads to dangerous release of body fluids. Our decontamination services ensure that cleanup needs are handled professionally and that properties are properly restored.

Our process is the following: 

  • Deep cleaning: Our biohazard team will wear personal protective equipment during this first phase of the process, including goggles, surgical masks, gloves and other protective clothing. This will allow the team to  remove any trace of the biological materials from the area in which the deceased was found. The contaminated items will be removed and perform deep cleaning on all hard surfaces to create the safest environment in the affected areas.
  • Sanitization: Using the correct chemical compounds will ensure that bacteria and viruses have been eliminated, making the area safe for human habitation once more. This step is required to create a safe and hygienic environment and to reduce any risks associated with entering the area.

  • Deodorizing: We will use the appropriate deodorizing chemical compounds to eliminate all traces of the odors left behind and to create a fresh and livable space once again.  

  • Restoring the area: We will work diligently to remove any traces of the unfortunate event from every area. We will ensure that the residence is completely live able and that there is no trace of the unfortunate event. 

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Crime Scene Cleanup 

Bio-One employs certified technicians who not only provide expert cleanup services for traumatic crime scenes and homicides but do so with a deep sensibility to the emotional nature of the work which impacts families, property managers, and business owners.

Situations involving crime such as a homicide are unexpected and can result in injuries that leave behind blood and body fluids which need to be cleaned professionally and discreetly. When a home or business has been affected by a crime scene, and is impacted by blood and body fluids, it should be cleaned as quickly as possible. These scenes need to be cleaned professionally after the police investigation is completed.

Bio-One experts adhere to strict OSHA regulations when safely cleaning homicide scenes and other traumatic crime scenes by handling the removal of the biohazard material of the accident or crime. Biohazards from bloodborne pathogens are properly and discreetly disinfected, decontaminated and disposed. Once the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids, we can help you restore the location to its pre-incident state, with a concerted effort to properly handle any personal possessions that carry sentimental value.

Don't ever feel like you need to be the one to clean the impacted, crime scene area - this can be an emotionally taxing process as well as dangerous if done incorrectly.

Our professional crews are compassionate and discreet when working with families, property managers and business owners and are available 24/7. Bio-One ensures safe bio-hazard material handling and disposal, as well as complete cleaning in trauma or crime incidents. Bio-One provides crime and trauma scene cleanup services for properties such as residential homes, vehicles, communities, and businesses.

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Odor Removal 

Spring cleaning season is up and running and we are here to help! Along with cleaning, you may encounter strong odors that have been lingering throughout the winter season. Strong odors are unpleasant. They are also potentially hazardous materials that can carry bacteria and dangerous gases. These odors may be from pets (urine), smoke or water damage. Our environmentally safe odor removal services disinfect all areas affected by the odor and discard household or commercial items that may have been compromised.

 

When eliminating odors from concrete, we would first clean the surface and then spray it with a chemical. The chemical is left to sit overnight sealed with plastic sheeting. 

 

The next day the plastic sheeting is pulled up and a odor sealant is applied to seal in the odors.

 

We do the same process for tile and hardwood, except no sealant is painted on the tile for obvious reasons. 

 

Odors are eliminated once the plastic sheeting is removed. 

 

Whether overwhelming odors affect your personal, commercial or industrial property, our odor removal experts in Philadelphia Area are trained to determine the source of the smell, decontaminate it, and safely dispose of hazardous remnants. We safely remove all traces of harmful allergens that can result in respiratory health problems and allergies. 

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A Clear Home Leads to A  Clear Mind 
At Bio-One, every hoarding job is unique and not only entails clutter clean up, but the recovery of all the items in the home that are still useful, valuable and sentimental to the client. We recognize and understand that this type of cleanup seems overwhelming for friends and family who are faced with the enormous task of attempting to sort through and organize an entire home full of miscellaneous clutter. Discarding possessions can be difficult. We work closely with the client and families to meet their specific needs while consulting every step of the process so that they feel safe and comfortable. 

Living in a cluttered home can be unhealthy and dangerous. Our experienced technicians, have encountered several safety threats in a cluttered home while handling different biohazards. The buildup of possessions over long periods of time increase the risk of accidental fires and injuries.

We work with our clients and families, to install trust while removing unwanted belongings and improving a safe and healthy living space.

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First Responder Relay Presented by Bio-One, Inc.

We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the First Responder Relay in Las Vegas on October 16th. The First Responders Relay is a 9 person 48-mile running relay with stages ranging from 4.0 miles to 7.7 miles. The relay is competition comprised of first responder personnel from throughout the United States and the World, and is hosted by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF).

There is still time to register, but don't delay! Registration closes September 18.  Visit www.CPAF.org to join us in Las Vegas!

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The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is proud to announce that the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are now Presented by Bio-One, Inc. 

 

Operating under the motto, "Help First, Business Second," Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times. Bio-One operates in 41 states with over 110 locations and is committed to providing first-class service. 

 

"We are thrilled to add Bio-One as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 USPFC because   First Responders warrant our support," said California Police Athletic Federation President LC Collins. "Bio-One’s reputation is second to none, and with their partnership, we can offer first responders a health and wellness outlet.  We look forward to working with them for years to come."

 

Founded by San Diego Police Lieutenant Veon "Duke" Nyhus, The United States Police & Fire Championships were first held in San Diego in 1967. Duke recognized the need to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among the Public Safety and First Responder community members. 

 

The USPFC caters to active and retired public safety and first responders who participate in Olympic-style competitions and open to individuals representing firefighters, law enforcement, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs across the country. Traditionally athletes compete in 45+ sporting events from biathlon to motocross across 35+ venues in Southern California.

 

"At Bio-One our support for Law Enforcement and Fire Service Officers is unwavering, and we're thrilled to partner with the California Police Athletic Federation during this memorable event," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One. "We wish each athlete success and look forward to celebrating these everyday heroes."

 

The 2021 USPFC Presented by Bio-One will take place from June 10th to the 19th in venues across San Diego, California, and strengthen the relationship between First Responders and the community for many years to come!

 

About the United States Police and Fire Championships

The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is the parent organization of two multi-sport programs designed for peace officers and firefighters. The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are open to active or retired public safety and first responder personnel from an eligible agency within the USA. For more information, please visit www.uspfc.org. 

 

Losing a loved one in an accident is incomprehensibly painful. The seeming unfairness and randomness of the moment is almost impossible to accept at first as grieving friends and family members try to rationalize what happened. They often feel guilty for not doing enough to prevent the death despite the fact that the incident was entirely out of their control. But nobody can prepare for the sudden and unexpected. Accidental deaths are by definition unnatural and unintentional. They include slips and falls, traffic accidents, poisonings, accidental weapon wounds, drownings, fire injuries, head traumas, industrial accidents, choking deaths, explosions, and natural disasters. Fatal accidents have always been a leading cause of death in America. But unfortunately, they are becoming more common.

According to the non-profit National Safety Council, accidental deaths increased 96 percent over the last 25 years.  Though they decreased significantly between 1950 and 1980, fatal accidents have been growing rapidly since the mid-1990s.Despite our innovation in creating safer technologies, today’s rate of 52.2 deaths per 100,000 people hasn’t been seen since the mid-1970s. Now, accidents are the number one leading cause of death for people aged 1 to 44, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFor all demographics, they are the third leading cause of death nationwide, with 169,936 deaths reported by the CDC in 2017.

While researchers have not reached a consensus on why accidental deaths are increasing, the NSC points to three trends to explain the rise, including increases in poisonings, motor vehicle deaths and falls among older adults. All of these injuries are preventable, they say, arguing on their website that institutions “have not consistently prioritized safety at work, at home and on the road”. Poisonings, the leading unintentional injury among CDC data, increased 11 percent between 2016 and 2017 The NSC attributes the growth to the opioid crisis, which claimed the lives of 47,000 Americans in 2017 .

To put the CDC data into perspective, 466 people die from accidental injuries every day The number of friends and family members affected by the death of a loved one is even higher, resulting in an ever-growing community of people who must find ways to manage their grief. Bio-One works with these families every day to facilitate their steps towards recovery.

When fatal accidents happen, we dedicate our resources to helping families restore their home or business in a safe, private and efficient manner. Because first responders do not decontaminate crime scenes after they respond to a call, we step in to ensure that families are not exposed to disease and other dangers. Crime scenes harbor harmful bloodborne pathogens that contaminate the immediate area, leaving everyone on the property vulnerable to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Our licensed technicians use powerful, environmentally safe chemicals to thoroughly disinfect the area so you can rest assured that your family will be safe. We work with an appreciation for your valuables and will replace furnishings if need be. In hoarding situations, we remove clutter that may present a danger to other inhabitants, including feces and other biological waste.

                  When you give us a call at your local Bio-One office, we’ll immediately connect you with a representative that will address your unique situation. Because we value your time during this difficult moment, a team will be dispatched to your home or business within an hour to complete the service. When they arrive, they’ll come in unmarked vehicles to safeguard your privacy. Our team approaches their work with the sensitivity it demands and endeavors to address your needs with the compassion it deserves. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We are on standby 24/7/365.

We often forget about the people left behind in the wake of a homicide. News stories reveal who died but often fail to identify how their death impacts their loved ones. When someone is murdered, their family, friends and significant others endure one of the most traumatic experiences that anyone can face. These survivors are some of the least researched crime victims in America, and they are everywhere. According to the most recent FBI data, 16,214 Americans were murdered in 2018For every one of those individuals an average of 7 to 10 relatives were severely impacted, according to an estimate by Lu Redmond, a homicide grief expert

If the murder rate remains consistent, Redmond’s estimate means between 113,000 and 162,000 Americans will become homicide survivors each year. That’s in addition to the pool of survivors who already lost loved ones in previous years.  Though the lack of research makes it impossible to quantify how many total homicide survivors there are in America, the number is high enough to warrant concern for how they are treated by health professionals.

For survivors, the grieving process is almost impossible to endure. Though loved ones will grieve in different ways depending on their relationship with the victim, the loss is shocking, unimaginable and absolute. They never had a chance to say goodbye to their loved one, and the plans they both shared will never come to fruition. This realization may be sudden. In some cases, it may take years. Some survivors find it difficult to accept a loved one’s death at first, resulting in a delayed reaction that is triggered by a situation that reminds them of the victim. According to the National Center of Victims of Crime, grief symptoms include shock, disbelief, numbness, changes in appetite and sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating, anger, confusion, increased anxiety and fear. Financial loss, depression and family conflict are also common symptoms.

                        Discovering a murdered loved one in the home can trigger post traumatic stress disorder. After the first responders leave the scene, some survivors may feel compelled to clean up the aftermath themselves. Confused that the paramedics don’t complete this work, they may think the cleanup process is their responsibility and act immediately. After all, they want to restore the scene as quickly as possible. Operating in a state of shock, they’ll remove the blood stains, body tissue and contaminated materials from the home without recognizing the threat to their physical and mental health. In addition to exposing their body to dangerous bloodborne pathogens, survivors may experience traumatic flashbacks of the experience in the future and suffer from heightened anxiety and emotional numbness. These PTSD symptoms prolong the recovery process, making it even more difficult for survivors to cope with their new lives. 

             Bio-One works with communities across the nation to avoid this outcome. We employ certified technicians that respond to scenes of violent crime and clean up dangerous biohazards that pose a threat to you and your family. When we receive a request for our services, we’ll send a team to the job site within an hour to assess your situation and perform a comprehensive cleaning solution that restores the property. Our powerful, environmentally friendly chemicals eradicate harmful pathogens that spread Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV, giving you assurance that you will be safe long after the area is decontaminated. We’ll dispose of the infected materials that cannot be salvaged and replace flooring and other furnishings if we need to. Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, we’ll return it to its pre-incident state so you can focus on recovering.

              We conduct this work because we want to help people who have been left to deal with a difficult, painful task. That’s why our company motto is “Help first, business second.” We don’t ask for payment until after the job is complete because we want to remove the safety threat from your home as quickly as you do. Every person on our team will arrive on-site with an understanding of the trauma you are going through and a respect for your privacy and personal needs. Contact your local Bio-One office today and we’ll immediately connect you with a representative that can assist you. We are available 24/7/365.

Although eight years have passed since the world’s top mental health experts classified hoarding as a unique compulsive disorder, the problem persists throughout the country. Researchers say that up to 20 million Americans suffer from this illness, which is described as an obsessive tendency to accumulate troves of objects with no practical value.Because hoarding is historically stigmatized and underdiagnosed, this number is likely a conservative estimate. Even more troubling, hoarding is expected to increase as the population ages and mortality rates rise. But the studies that dole out these numbers understandably focus on hoarders over other stakeholders in the community. Hoarders’ actions impact far more people than reflected in the data. Fires and collapsing structures caused by unstable hoarding situations jeopardize the safety of neighbors and government workers. Even animals suffer. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a quarter of a million animals are hoarded each year. But the people afflicted by the disorder’s worst consequences often live in the same household as the hoarder.

Families deteriorate as high levels of dysfunction, increased conflict and financial uncertainty hinder intimacy and devastate the emotional wellbeing of everyone in the home. Objects overwhelm the space and are guarded zealously by hoarders who are pathologically unable to discard anything they deem valuable. Hoarded items commonly include old newspapers, rotting food, cardboard boxes, pets, excessive piles of clothes and furniture that dominates the home. Space becomes constricted and practically unlivable, prompting hoarders to carve narrow passageways out of the clutter to navigate between rooms.

 But despite the extreme measures’ hoarders take to endure these living conditions, the situation cannot be controlled. There is no space for shared activities among the family and no room to use necessary facilities like ovens, showers and beds. In fact, the concept of “space” alters entirely. Children may have to sleep on couches in the living room or in bed with parents to circumvent the clutter. Activities like eating, reading and sleeping are subject to the limitations of space and the normalcy of disorder.  

The effect of living like this leads to feelings of isolation, depression and vulnerability. Confounded by the fact that the hoarding family member is usually controlling, stubborn and sensitive to criticism, other people in the home often feel undervalued and powerless. Any attempts to remove the clutter are met with fierce opposition and outrage by the hoarder, who suffers from severe distress when confronted with the notion of losing their valuables. Aware of these consequences, the family usually lives in isolation, refusing to invite friends and relatives over to the home out of embarrassment. These claustrophobic conditions extend to the mind, which is overwhelmed by feelings of frustration, helplessness and anxiety. Financial strains ensue as the hoarder spends money on items that have no discernable value to other family members. As the acquisition of objects greatly outweighs the removal of other objects, credit limits are reached and space disappears, leading to home maintenance fees, financial debt and increasingly frequent family altercations.

Onlooking children often find themselves torn between parents in these situations. Child protective services may be invoked at some point, breaking up the family and degrading the bond between child and parent even further. This possibility weighs heavily on the minds of older children, who often feel compelled to silence for fear that they will be relocated by the authorities. Child protective services are often justified in removing them from the home. Households governed by an extreme hoarder are vulnerable to disease, air pollutants, pests and fires. Children in these homes also face stunted social and cognitive growth as they endure harsh living conditions and parental strife. Moreover, research indicates that hoarding behaviors are learned and adopted by the children of hoarders, who may subsequently pass these tendencies down to their own kids.

           The strains that hoarding places on families illustrates why reaching out for help is so important. If you or a loved one are affected by this destructive disorder, please contact Bio-One for assistance. We remediate homes affected by hoarding on a daily basis and can connect you with tools that can help. We are on standby 24/7/365.