Bio-One of Marion County decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

Biohazard Cleanup vs. Regular Cleaning: What's the Difference?

Biohazard Cleanup

Introduction

Cleanliness is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment, whether at home, in the workplace, or in any public space. However, not all cleaning tasks are created equal. There's a distinct difference between regular cleaning and biohazard cleanup; understanding this difference is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals in various settings.

Regular Cleaning: Maintenance for Everyday Living

Regular cleaning refers to the routine maintenance of spaces to keep them neat, organized, and free from dirt and clutter. This type of cleaning is part of our daily lives, involving tasks such as dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and wiping surfaces. Regular cleaning is aimed at maintaining appearances, preventing the buildup of dirt and grime, and improving the overall aesthetic of a space. We do it to keep our living and working areas comfortable and visually appealing.

Biohazard Cleanup: Dealing with Dangerous Contaminants

On the other hand, biohazard cleanup goes far beyond the surface-level tidying associated with regular cleaning. Biohazards are biological materials that threaten human health, such as blood, bodily fluids, medical waste, and other potentially infectious substances. Biohazard cleanup involves the removal, cleaning, and disposal of these hazardous materials in a safe and regulated manner. This type of cleanup is necessary after traumatic events, accidents, crime scenes, industrial accidents, or in places where contamination from pathogens is suspected.

Key Differences: Biohazard Cleanup vs. Regular Cleaning

  1. Safety Concerns: The primary difference between biohazard cleanup and regular cleaning is the level of safety concerns involved. Regular cleaning focuses on making spaces look tidy, while biohazard cleanup centers on preventing the spread of infectious diseases and maintaining the health of individuals who may come into contact with the contaminants.
  2. Equipment and Training: Biohazard cleanup requires specialized training, equipment, and protective gear to ensure the safety of those performing the cleanup. Professionals in this field, like Bio-One of Marion County, are trained to handle potentially dangerous materials, use disinfectants effectively, and follow strict protocols to avoid cross-contamination. Regular cleaning typically involves basic cleaning tools and does not require the same level of specialized knowledge.
  3. Regulations and Compliance: Biohazard cleanup must adhere to strict regulations and guidelines set by health and safety authorities. There are legal requirements for handling and disposing of biohazardous materials properly. Regular cleaning does not have the same stringent regulations associated with it.
  4. Severity of Contamination: Biohazard cleanup addresses situations where the risk of contamination is high due to bloodborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful agents. Regular cleaning deals with everyday dirt and debris that do not pose the same health risks.
  5. Psychological Impact: Biohazard cleanup often involves emotionally distressing situations like crime scenes or accidents. Professionals in this field must be equipped to handle the psychological toll of these scenarios. Regular cleaning typically does not involve such emotional challenges.

Conclusion

In summary, the difference between biohazard cleanup and regular cleaning lies in the level of risk, specialized training, and equipment required. While regular cleaning is essential for maintaining a comfortable and appealing environment, biohazard cleanup is critical for preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring the safety of individuals in spaces contaminated by hazardous materials. Understanding these differences is vital for making informed decisions when it comes to addressing cleaning needs in various settings.

Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We specialize in blood, bodily fluid, feces removal, rodent droppings, sewage cleanup, hoarding, pet hoarding, gross filth cleanup, tear gas remediation, and odor removal services. Helping people facing difficult situations get their surroundings and lives back in order is our #1 priority. 

Bio-One is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year!  Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service.  We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve. 

Blood Spill Cleanup

Blood spills can happen anywhere, whether in a hospital, laboratory, or your home. Regardless of where it happens, cleaning up the spill immediately and correctly is crucial to prevent the spreading of disease and potential health hazards. While it may be tempting to clean up the spill yourself, it's important to understand that blood spill cleanups should only be handled by biohazard companies. This blog discusses why you should leave blood spill cleanups to professionals.

Health Risks

Blood spills can pose a significant health risk, as they can contain bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other harmful microorganisms. Exposure to these pathogens can result in serious health consequences, including infections, illnesses, and even death. Therefore, it's important to understand the risks and take proper precautions to avoid contact with the contaminated area.

Lack of Proper Equipment

Blood spill cleanup requires specialized equipment to ensure the area is thoroughly disinfected and safe for occupancy. Biohazard companies have access to professional-grade equipment, including personal protective gear, biohazard bags, and disinfectants. Without proper equipment, cleaning up a blood spill can be dangerous and can result in incomplete or inadequate cleaning.

Proper Disposal

Biohazard companies are trained to dispose of blood and other biohazardous waste properly. They follow strict protocols and adhere to state and federal regulations to ensure that the waste is disposed of safely and in an environmentally-friendly manner. If blood and other biohazardous waste are not disposed of properly, it can result in potential fines and harm to the environment.

Legal Liability

Cleaning up a blood spill yourself can result in potential legal liability if someone else is exposed to the contaminated area. Biohazard companies have insurance to cover any accidents or injuries that may occur during the cleanup process. This means that you won't be held liable for any damages that may result from the cleaning process.

In conclusion, blood spill cleanups should only be handled by biohazard companies due to the potential health risks, lack of proper equipment, proper disposal, and legal liability. If you encounter a blood spill, it's important to contact a biohazard company immediately to ensure that the area is safely and thoroughly disinfected. Remember, your safety and the safety of others is paramount, so don't take any unnecessary risks.

Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We specialize in blood, bodily fluid, and feces removal, rodent droppings cleaning, sewage cleanup, hoarding, and pet hoarding cleaning, gross filth cleanup, and odor removal services. Helping people who are faced with difficult situations to get their surroundings and lives back in order is our #1 priority. 

Bio-One is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year!  Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service.  We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve. 

Preparing to clean an undiscovered death
Preparing to remediate an undiscovered death scene

Biohazard cleaning crews are often tasked with the challenging job of cleaning up after traumatic incidents such as homicides, suicides, or accidents. While these situations are certainly difficult, they are also typically well-known and documented. However, there is another type of death that is much less talked about and can leave an even more significant impact on those left behind: undiscovered death.

Undiscovered death occurs when a person dies alone, and their body goes undiscovered for an extended period of time, often weeks or even months. These types of deaths are especially common among elderly people who live alone or individuals who do not have close family or friends to check on them regularly. In these cases, the person may have died from natural causes, suicide, or other factors, but the body decomposes without intervention.

Dealing with an undiscovered death can devastate family members and loved ones who may not have known that their relative or friend had passed away until weeks or even months later. The discovery of a decomposing body can also be traumatic for first responders and cleaning crews, who must deal with the physical and emotional aftermath of such a scene.

Cleaning up after an undiscovered death is a delicate process that requires specialized equipment, training, and experience. Biohazard cleaning crews must carefully remove and dispose of all biological materials, including bodily fluids and tissues, to ensure that the area is thoroughly decontaminated. They must also work quickly to address any odors and deodorize the space to help alleviate the psychological impact of the discovery.

In addition to physical cleaning, biohazard cleaning crews often play a crucial role in supporting family members and loved ones during the aftermath of an undiscovered death. They may work with law enforcement or other agencies to provide compassionate support and guidance during the difficult time.

Undiscovered death is a tragic and often overlooked aspect of death and dying. Biohazard cleaning crews play a critical role in addressing the aftermath of these situations and supporting the individuals and families impacted by them. Through their specialized training and expertise, these professionals help restore the affected area to a safe and sanitary condition while providing crucial emotional support and guidance during a difficult and traumatic time.

Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas. We specialize in blood, bodily fluid, and feces removal, rodent droppings cleaning, sewage cleanup, hoarding, and pet hoarding cleaning, gross filth cleanup, and odor removal services. Helping people who are faced with difficult situations to get their surroundings and lives back in order is our #1 priority. 

Bio-One is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year!  Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service.  We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve. 

Bio-One Homeless Encampment, Rescuing Cats, Donating to Police Officer

Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.

Here is Week 1 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up. 

Homeless Encampment Clean-Up - Temecula, CA

On the west coat, the Bio-One team was called by the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce to safely decontaminate an area outside their office. With homelessness on the rise, there is in increase of biohazardous waste that is sadly starting to accumulate in zones of our cities. 

While Bio-One teams have been actively remediating homeless encampments for decades, we just refreshed this information on our Bio-One website. View it here

"We are actively looking for partnerships to help keep our cities clean and safe for children and families." - Jason and William, Bio-One Owners

COVID-19 Disinfection to Raise Money for Local Police Sgt. - Asheville, NC

In the fall of 2020, it was announced that Jax, the 3 year-old son of Sgt. Jordan Warren at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Sgt. Warren has served the community in Henderson County for 10 years, and the community has rallied on his behalf by donating thousands of dollars for the family in their time of need. 

To help raise money, the Bio-One team in Asheville raffled off a COVID-19 disinfection, up to 5,000 sqft for any home or business. The raffle ran through January 2021 and raised over $600. This week, the team happily treated the winner, Strong Hand Fitness, to the disinfection. 

"Police officers and their families make big sacrifices to serve their community, most of which go unseen. So, when first responder families are in need, we want to help anyway we can. We wish the entire Warren family the best as Jax continues his fight." - Matt Gregg, Bio-One Owner

Cat Rescue - Flagstaff, Arizona

In January, the Bio-One team in Flagstaff answered the call to remediate an unattended death. They learned from the next of kin that a husband had passed away in the home while his wife, at the time, was fighting for her life at the local hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Once the team arrived, it was clear this would be a multi-day job. Not only was there a biohazard to remediate, but the home was hoarded and restoring the home to a safe environment was an urgent need. While working, the Bio-One crew identified three cats lingering in and around the home. Initially, it was assumed one cat was owned by the family, and the other two were part of the neighborhood. The first cat, nicknamed Hunter, was given to the Ark Cat Sanctuary for a checkup and to eventually find a new home. In the spirit of kindness, the team also provided food and water for the other two neighborhood cats when working onsite. 

Several weeks passed, and the Bio-One team received word that the wife had sadly lost her life due to complications from COVID-19. The next of kin asked the team to revisit the home and remove remaining items. Shortly after work began, the two neighborhood cats were found. It was then revealed that the two animals were owned by the deceased couple. After living off the land for months, they were rescued by the Bio-One team and turned over to the Ark Cat Sanctuary for care. We hope each animal finds a loving home. 

"We are very fortunate that our staff and owners have a heart for animals and will do whatever they can to help the pets like we do our clients." - Rebecca Wallace, Bio-One Owner