The Biohazard Report April 2018

Building Relationships at the Columbus Apartment Association Expo

Since 2016 Bio-One Columbus has been a proud supporter of the organization that is the leading advocate for the multifamily housing industry in Central Ohio.  Founded in 1969 and representing over 300 members, the Columbus Apartment Association, serves the interests of multifamily community owners and the companies who serve them, by providing legislative services, educational courses, and networking opportunities. As an exhibitor at their most recent Expo on April 18th, we had the opportunity to talk to many of our existing clients in the industry, and to make some great new contacts as well. Thanks to all who participated.
 
We're also excited to announce the winner of our booth raffle. Jamie Kauer of First Equity Properties, Manager of Park Club Apartments, will receive a $100 Home Depot gift card. Congratulations Jamie!

"Community Managers are all too familiar with juggling a crisis, a headache, and another crisis, while still handling the day’s business. Bio-One’s professional team can help with cleanups resulting from trauma, suicide, homicide, decomposition, animal waste, sewage backups, mold, hoarding, persistent odor, and nearly anything that on-site maintenance and other cleaning companies aren’t trained, certified or insured to do. Let us help you safely restore your property for immediate occupancy. Don’t take chances with liability!"  

We’ve got you covered, 24/7! We're just a phone call away, at (614) 743-1795.

Watch Hoarding Cleanup Time Lapse Video 1 Minute 29 Seconds

Sometimes you've got to see it to believe it, so we've recorded the process of restoring this bedroom to a clean and safe state. It was an extreme case of hoarding in which many hazardous materials were present, making professional services crucial. Bio-One is fully equipped to clean and disinfect the entire space to ensure that family members or other property owners aren't exposed to dangerous mold spores, bacteria, and other bio-hazardous materials by trying to handle it themselves. 

As you will see below, our team is trained and experienced to remediate hoarding situations of all degrees of severity.

The time-lapse video above was a condo in the Columbus area in which the tenant was the hoarder. When he moved out he left the house completely full of trash, flies, feces and more than a hundred bottles of urine. The room we decided to record in was the master bedroom. That tiny spot you can see on the bed that wasn’t completely buried was where he slept. Typically we don’t need to remove subfloors, but in this case it was saturated to the point that they were no longer salvageable. 

We never met the tenant, but we did find a high school letterman’s jacket, some photo albums and a couple other things that we thought might be meaningful, so we gave those to the landlord to pass on to him.

When we finished, every surface in the home had been treated and sealed, and the overpowering odor that had been so pervasive was completely gone. Within a week the landlord had new flooring installed, walls painted and appliances updated. It’s a beautiful home, and no one would ever guess the conditions that we found when we started. 

Starting 2018 with a clean slate

There's no better time than the start of a new year to address our goals for personal health and well being. Some of us want to increase physical activity, stop eating after 8:00 PM, or get our physical spaces in order.

Whatever each of our specific intentions are for the new year, now is the time to make the changes. Luckily for us there are people to call in case we need help getting started. There are fitness coaches, weight loss clubs, and in the case of overwhelming clutter in the home, there is the team at Bio-One Columbus.

Bio-One is experienced in sensitively addressing issues of significant clutter build up and hoarding situations. We understand that there is more involved than simply a lack of interest or energy for cleaning. Limited storage space, limitations in physical mobility and even depression can lead to a cluttered environment that can quickly become overwhelming. We’re here to help restore functionality to your home and return your peace of mind without judgment.

Whatever your situation, Bio-One can help you get 2018 off to a fresh start! Remember, the hardest call to make is often the one that makes all the difference.

“I had been through some emotional issues and down the line began hoarding. I didn't see it as a problem until recently. I finally realized I needed help and could not do it alone. The owner of Bio-One was kind, patient, and understanding from the day I made the call. He and his crew were kind to my children and saved me from what could have been a really bad situation legally. I am starting the new year fresh and it's all thanks to them.” 

Bio-one assists after las vegas shooting

"I don’t know how to even begin to describe the physical and emotional toll a job like that exacts. It was terribly sad, but I think we all felt a sense of responsibility to the victims and the families to do our job respectfully and professionally.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who were affected.”

Bio-one serves the salvation army

The Salvation Army has been taking care of it's community members in Clark County/Springfield, Ohio for over 125 years! It only made sense to return the favor when they reached out because of a mice infestation in their busy food pantry. Bio-One donated its services so the Salvation Army could get back to its important work.

Our team removed all of the food from the room where the mice were found and individually disinfectd each salvageable can. Once that important step was completed we removed their old wooden shelves to make room for new industrial metal shelving. Every square inch of the room was then treated to ensure it was safe. Our team was able to complete the job in just two days to avoid any further program disruption.

We're happy to be able to give back to an organization so dedicated to its community. It was important for us to support them by offering our services. 

“Bio-One went far above and beyond what we could have expected. Because of Bio-One's desire to help their local Salvation Army and their belief in our cause/mission, they only charged us $1! They wanted to learn our schedule, so they could work in a way that wouldn't negatively interfere with our children's programming and social services! We thank God for the amazing people at Bio-One! It's difficult to adequately express our gratitude towards them and what they gave to us and ultimately to the community!”

Tarole Loyd, Office Manager

Crime scene cleanup, a sensitive matter

Bio-One Columbus handles a wide variety of biohazardous cleanups, from animal infestations to hoarding homes. We have earned a reputation for prompt service and superior skills, and we pride ourselves on returning lives to normal as soon as possible. Our experienced and sympathetic approach, however, is truly tested when it comes to dealing with crime scenes.

These scenes can be horrific, not only for the families that are directly impacted, but also for law enforcement, property owners and anyone who comes into contact with the aftermath of a serious injury or death. When a call comes in from a family member or law enforcement officer, we are ready to respond 24 hours a day with genuine compassion and a keen awareness of the emotional trauma that is often involved.

Our number one goal is to physically restore the scene to its previous state, but we never lose sight of the fact that a traumatic event has occurred and people’s lives have been affected.

Not everyone can do the work we do. Not just because it requires extensive training and certification, but also because it can be extremely taxing from an emotional standpoint. To be working in an area where someone lost their life, often to senseless violence, requires a steadfast commitment to always be prepared to help people, regardless of how a situation may effect one personally. I see that in all of my employees, and their dedication makes me proud. To have the ability to take some of the pain away from a family that's suffering is what motivates us to always do more than what's expected of us.

Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.

Hoarding situation requires professional help

Hoarding situations are often hidden from view until the hoarder is removed and a family member, caregiver or landlord discovers the severity of the problem.

The task of cleanup is often overwhelming.

Bio-One Columbus approaches hoarding situations with expediency and care. We take full precautions in removing health hazards and remediating the space as quickly as possible, returning the property to a usable state. We also understand that the mementos and memories of a life are often mixed in the refuse, and we preserve anything of potential monetary or sentimental value. 

The time-lapse video above was a condo in the Columbus area in which the tenant was the hoarder. When he moved out he left the house completely full of trash, flies, feces and more than a hundred bottles of urine. The room we decided to video was the master bedroom. That tiny spot you can see on the bed that wasn’t completely buried was where he slept. Typically we don’t need to remove subfloors, but in this case it was saturated to the point that they were no longer salvageable. 

We never met the tenant, but we did find a high school letterman’s jacket, some photo albums and a couple other things that we thought might be meaningful, so we gave those to the landlord to pass on to him.

When we finished, every surface in the home had been treated and sealed, and the overpowering odor that had been so pervasive was completely gone. Within a week the landlord had new flooring installed, walls painted and appliances updated. It’s a beautiful home, and no one would ever guess the conditions that we found when we started.

"At BioOne Columbus, we approach each situation not as a bottom-line billable job, but a chance to help people get their lives back in order. Adding a tough cleanup on top of emotional distress can be overwhelming, and that’s where my team steps in. Contact us today to learn more about our services." 

Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.

Attic wildlife poses significant risk

Wildlife infestation in a home or business presents a challenging and potentially dangerous situation. The solution is a two-step process, and both should be handled by trained professionals.

First, the animals must be safely trapped and humanely relocated by a wildlife control expert. Once the critters are removed, however, a hazardous mess remains. That’s where Bio-One Columbus comes in. Animal urine and feces are significant health risks that require proper and professional remediation, especially when the droppings are contained in the home.

Spring is high season for raccoon problems in Central Ohio, as mothers often find their way indoors for a warm and dry spot to birth their young. The animals frequently defecate in the same place and generate piles of feces called raccoon latrines that can pose significant hazards. Raccoon waste can contain roundworm eggs, which are very light and can become airborne. If inhaled by humans, the eggs can hatch and cause serious illness or even death if untreated. Other hazards include contraction of giardiasis, leptospirosis, salmonella and even rabies.

We don’t mean to cause undue alarm, of course, but simply convey the fact that animal waste removal is more than a shovel-and-clorox job for the homeowner. Our team is trained in all manner of toxic substance remediation. We’re also ready to attack the problem where it exists, and that often means very cramped and uncomfortable spaces.

"I called Bio-One Columbus about a raccoon problem in our attic. We could smell the droppings throughout the whole house. They came out right away and worked in an extremely confined attic space in 100+ degree temperatures, removing all of the feces and contaminated insulation. Once everything was treated and safe, they even replaced the insulation. On top of that, they handled the whole insurance claim process for us. It was as easy as placing one phone call.  I can't thank Tim and Bio-One enough!”

Brad

We received a call from a homeowner who had discovered a family of raccoons living in his attic for an unknown period of time. In this case, access was through a small vent hole in the side of the house. Attics can generally be difficult places in which to work. We’ve got the bio-hazard to contend with, of course, but we’re also challenged with narrow access points, enclosed spaces, extreme temperature conditions and various physical hazards.

This job took two days to remove all of the insulation, piles of feces and other contaminated materials. We then treated and sealed all affected surfaces, fogged for fungal spore elimination and replaced the insulation. Jobs like these really do require professional remediation services in order to be done properly and safely. The client also had two young children living in the home, so I'm glad they called us.

Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.

Eliminating moisture source is essential to mold cleanup

Toxic mold is a common but serious hazard, and Bio-One Columbus has the skills and experience to remove it safely. 
 
Actual cleanup is definitely not the first step in the mold remediation process, however. We stress the importance of finding and fixing the source of the excess moisture before any cleaning takes place. Continuous leaks, previous floods, and trapped moisture can all contribute to the growth of unsightly, smelly, and dangerous mold spores.
 
Mold in the household and workplace environment is responsible for health symptoms ranging from bothersome nasal congestion to life-threatening neurological disorders. It must be addressed professionally with a complete approach.
 
The job highlighted below was triggered by a spot of mold in the corner of a finished basement. Upon further inspection, we discovered an improperly installed exterior faucet had been leaking for months and the water was running down along the foundation.  We had to tear out all the carpet and remove the faux wood paneling, where we discovered the real mold problem. In addition to treating the mold, we installed a new faucet and replaced all of the affected electrical wiring and conduit in the basement.
 
Bio-One Columbus has the team to do your cleanup job right the first time, restoring the safety of all your indoor commercial and residential spaces. 

 “When Tim came in, he found that the faucet had been leaking for some time and the mold was much worse than we had thought…He hired the help he needed and within one week, the faucet and the damaged electrical had been replaced and the mold had been removed. The room was transformed.
 
“We expected a job well done but were absolutely amazed at the work that Tim and his team did. It's now a 14-year-old boy's room and we know he is completely safe from mold. They went above and beyond our expectations."

Bio-One Columbus aims for complete customer satisfaction on any job site. If your cleanup requires additional help from plumbers, electricians, or builders, we’ll hire and manage those resources to efficiently restore your space to a healthy environment.
 
Call for a free consultation today.

Hidden spaces pose potential dangers

Bird and bat waste is more than an unsightly mess. It’s a potential health hazard that requires professional remediation.
 
Vacant buildings, church steeples and attics are all susceptible to roosts, and can go years without a visual inspection. By the time the problem is discovered, the guano can literally get knee-deep.
 
Bat guano can cause histoplasmosis, an infectious disease caused by inhaling the spores of the histoplasmosis capsulation fungus. The fungus can be disturbed during “amateur” cleanup and infect those without proper respiratory protection equipment. Airborne spores stirred up during cleaning can also spread throughout a building’s ventilation system if proper precautions aren’t taken.
 
In addition to histoplasmosis, pigeon droppings also carry the threat of cryptococcosis, which similarly is contracted by inhalation of spores from contaminated feces. The fungus is found in more than 80 percent of old roosts, and poses a safety hazard even when old and dried.
 
Both afflictions generally manifest in temporary flu-like symptoms, but in patients with lowered immune systems or lung disease it can prove very serious and even fatal.
 
Bio-One approaches each job with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed under OSHA guidelines. All physical waste is removed with specialized tools and HEPA-filtered vacuums to be double-bagged for transportation and regulated disposal.
 
Any insulation that has come into contact with the guano is considered a biohazard and needs to be removed. All affected surface areas then need to be chemically treated for safety.

The three-dimensional nature of an attic space often means cleaning rafters, joists, HVAC ductwork, exposed wiring, and stored objects. All of these surfaces may represent a biohazard that needs to be treated.