Bio-One of Fremont decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

The Difference Between Biohazard and Hazardous Material Cleaning: A Guide by Bio-One Fremont

In this article Bio-One Fremont will discuss the differences between biohazard and hazardous material cleanings.

At Bio-One Fremont, we specialize in cleaning up the messes that nobody else wants to handle. From crime scenes to hoarding situations, we are the professionals who step in when things get tough. But not all messes are created equal, and it's important to understand the distinction between biohazard and hazardous material cleaning. This guide will help clarify the differences and why the specialized services we provide are essential for each.

What is Biohazard Cleaning?

Biohazard cleaning involves the removal, cleaning, and disinfection of blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. These materials can pose significant health risks, including the transmission of diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and other bloodborne pathogens. Situations that require biohazard cleaning include:

  • Crime and Trauma Scenes:
    • After a violent crime or accident, the area must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent disease transmission.
  • Unattended Deaths:
    • When a person passes away and is not discovered for some time, the decomposition process can create biohazards.
  • Hoarding Cleanup:
    • Severe hoarding situations can result in the accumulation of biological waste and contamination.
  • Suicide or Homicide Cleanup:
    • These sensitive situations require professional intervention to handle the emotional and physical aftermath.
  • Mold Remediation:
    • Mold growth, especially in large quantities, can pose serious health risks and is considered a biohazard. Professional cleanup ensures safe removal and prevents recurrence.

What is Hazardous Material Cleaning?

Hazardous material (hazmat) cleaning involves the handling and disposal of materials that are chemically, radiologically, or biologically hazardous but not necessarily infectious. These substances can be harmful to health and the environment if not managed correctly. Examples include:

  • Chemical Spills: 
    • Industrial accidents or household chemical spills that involve substances like solvents, acids, or pesticides.
  • Asbestos Removal:
    • Asbestos fibers, if inhaled, can cause serious lung conditions, including cancer.
  • Lead Paint: 
    • Older buildings may contain lead-based paint, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled.
  • Radiological Hazards: 
    • Materials that emit radiation and require specialized handling and disposal procedures.

Key Differences Between Biohazard and Hazardous Material Cleaning

  • Nature of Contaminants:
    •    Biohazards: Primarily involve biological substances like blood, bodily fluids, and infectious materials.
    •    Hazardous Materials: Include chemical, radiological, or other non-biological substances that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive.
  • Health Risks:
    •    Biohazards: Pose risks of infection and disease transmission.
    •    Hazardous Materials: Can cause chemical burns, poisoning, respiratory issues, and environmental damage.
  • Regulations and Standards:
    •    Both types of cleaning require adherence to strict regulations and safety standards. However, the specific protocols and protective measures can differ significantly.
  • Specialized Training and Equipment:
    • Professionals handling biohazard cleanup need training in pathogen exposure control and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Hazardous material cleaning often requires knowledge of chemical safety, proper containment, and disposal methods.

Why Choose Bio-One Fremont?

At Bio-One Fremont, our team is trained and equipped to handle both biohazard and hazardous material situations with the utmost professionalism and care. We understand the emotional and physical toll these situations can take and are committed to providing compassionate and efficient services to restore safety and peace of mind.

If you find yourself in need of biohazard or hazardous material cleanup, don't hesitate to contact Bio-One Fremont. We are here 24/7 to assist with any cleanup challenge, no matter how big or small.

For immediate assistance, call our 24/7 emergency line at (925) 369-3096. Visit our website at [bioonefremont.com](https://bioonefremont.com) for more information.

Stay safe and remember, when others say no, Bio-One Fremont is here to say yes and handle the mess.

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Bio-One Fremont: Cleaning up the messes that nobody else wants to handle.

In challenging situations like biohazard cleanup or hoarding scenarios, understanding the costs involved is paramount. At Bio-One Fremont, we recognize the importance of transparency in pricing, and we're here to demystify our pricing structure for you.

A common query we receive over the phone is, "Can you tell me how much it will cost to…?" The truth is, every job location is unique in size, square footage, and degree of impact, making it difficult to provide a fixed cost upfront.

However, we are committed to providing clear answers to this question. Upon your request, Bio-One Fremont typically responds in under 60 minutes to your site to develop a detailed project plan and estimate – all at no charge to you.

Here's how we determine our pricing:

  1. Expected Time on the Job Site: We meticulously estimate the time needed to complete the task based on its complexity and the specific requirements of each situation.
  2. Materials and Equipment Required: Our pricing accounts for the materials and specialized equipment necessary for the safe and effective execution of the job.
  3. Disposal Fees: Proper disposal of biohazardous waste is of utmost importance. Hence, our pricing includes any associated disposal fees to ensure compliance with regulations and environmental standards.
  4. Work Required to Meet Your Goals: Every situation is distinct, and we customize our approach to fulfill your unique objectives and needs. Our pricing reflects the level of work necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

When you choose Bio-One Fremont, you can expect complete transparency and clarity in our pricing. We provide a detailed, line-item quote that comprehensively outlines our plan and associated costs. This empowers you to make informed decisions about our services with confidence.

Understanding that unforeseen expenses can be overwhelming, we offer financing options for every job. We firmly believe that everyone deserves access to the support they need without financial strain. Our financing options provide flexibility and peace of mind for our customers.

At Bio-One Fremont, our top priority is to deliver compassionate, professional, and effective services to our community. Our pricing structure reflects our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality results while ensuring transparency and affordability for our customers.

Should you have any further questions about our pricing or services, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to assist you every step of the way.

In the bustling real estate market of California, property transactions can be both exciting and challenging. However, amidst the flurry of buying and selling, there's a crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked: disclosure laws regarding deaths on a property. In California, sellers are required to disclose any death on the property within the last three years, regardless of the circumstances. This disclosure requirement can pose a significant hurdle for property owners, especially when faced with the task of selling a house where somebody has died.

Enter Bio-One of Fremont, a trusted leader in biohazard cleanup and disinfection services. With their expertise in handling sensitive situations and their commitment to providing compassionate, thorough services, Bio-One of Fremont offers a solution for Alameda County, Contra Costa County and Santa Clara County property owners navigating the complexities of selling a house with a death disclosure requirement.

One of the most valuable services offered by Bio-One of Fremont is their Disinfection Certification. This certification signifies that the property has undergone a comprehensive disinfection process, ensuring that any biohazards or contaminants associated with the death have been effectively removed. Not only does this certification provide peace of mind to potential buyers, but it also helps property owners fulfill their legal obligations regarding disclosure.

So, how does Bio-One of Fremont's Disinfection Certification benefit California property owners facing the challenge of selling a house where somebody has died?

  1. Compliance with Disclosure Laws: By obtaining Bio-One of Fremont's Disinfection Certification, property owners can demonstrate that they have taken proactive steps to address any biohazards associated with a death on the property. This can help them fulfill their legal obligation to disclose such events to potential buyers, easing the selling process and reducing the risk of legal complications down the line.
  2. Enhanced Property Value: Properties with a history of death, whether peaceful or otherwise, can often face stigma and reluctance from potential buyers. However, by obtaining a Disinfection Certification from Bio-One of Fremont, property owners can showcase their commitment to safety and cleanliness, thereby enhancing the perceived value of the property and increasing its marketability.
  3. Peace of Mind for Buyers: Purchasing a home is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. Buyers want to feel confident that the property they are purchasing is safe and free from any lingering hazards. By providing a Disinfection Certification from Bio-One of Fremont, sellers can offer reassurance to potential buyers, fostering trust and confidence in the transaction.
  4. Professional Expertise and Compassionate Service: Bio-One of Fremont's team of trained professionals understands the sensitivity of the situations they encounter and approaches each job with compassion, respect, and discretion. Property owners can trust that their property will be treated with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring thorough disinfection and restoration.

In conclusion, Bio-One of Fremont's Disinfection Certification offers a valuable solution for California property owners faced with the challenge of selling a house where somebody has died. By providing comprehensive disinfection services and certification, Bio-One of Fremont helps property owners comply with disclosure laws, enhance property value, and provide peace of mind to buyers. With their professional expertise and compassionate approach, Bio-One of Fremont is a trusted partner for navigating the complexities of real estate transactions in California.

Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up Summary of Biohazard Work

Bio-One answers the call to help our community and remediate a variety of scenes. From hoarding, crime scene cleaning, or simply giving back, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do.

Here is this week's Weekly Wrap-Up.

Arizona Law Enforcement Grant - Voting Ends August 15

Voting for the 2021 Bio-One AZ Law Enforcement Grant is almost over. Don't miss your chance to vote for an AZ law enforcement agency! First place receives a $5,000 grant from Bio-One and second place will receive a complimentary brats and burgers catered BBQ. 

Last year, congratulations went to the Snowflake Taylor Police Department. The $5,000 allowed them to purchase 15 fully stocked Modular Trauma & Bleeding First Aid Responder Kits, enough to equip every patrol vehicle! 

Thank you to the AZ Bio-One offices for making this possible!

National Law Enforcement Museum Post - 9/11 Exhibit

Bio-One, Inc. is a sponsor of the newest exhibit at the National Law Enforcement Museum, Post - 9/11: The Evolution of American Law Enforcement

As described on LawEnforcementMuseum.org:

Since 9/11 law enforcement has come together – in partnership with other agencies, the private sector, and the general public – to help make us all safer. In response to the threats raised by 9/11, law enforcement has seen changes in the areas of intelligence collection and analysis, interagency partnerships and information sharing, technology and innovation, training and preparation, and community engagement.

The National Law Enforcement Museum will present a new exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the officers who rose to the challenge that day. This will be the first exhibition to focus on the significant changes to U.S. law enforcement that occurred in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

The exhibit opens August 27, 2021 and tickets are available for purchase

To learn more about the exhibit, register for the August 19 virtual conversation The Post-9/11 Story: Questions, Reflections, and a Museum Exhibit. This program will pull back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes conversations that go into crafting an exhibit about the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and life since. Learn more and register here! 

The Post-9/11 Story Sponsored by Bio-One

What to Ask Before Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner

New blog post! Today, there are hundreds of companies that advertise crime and trauma scene cleaning, and a simple Google search may prove overwhelming when you're experiencing one of the most traumatic moments in your life.

To help, we've listed pre-qualifying questions to ask before choosing a crime and trauma scene company. Here's a link to our recent blog post! 


Bio-One What to Ask Before Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner

The roots of crime- and trauma-scene cleaning companies can be traced to the 1990s, and at that time only a dozen or so companies existed. The industry was widely unregulated and awareness of contamination risks were relatively non-existant.

"I was young and dumb and saw something you only see in movies, so I quickly shut the door, took a deep breath, sat on the couch with the widow and told everyone else to get her out of here and take her to lunch, and we’ll clean this up for her," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Bio-One Inc. "We were just trying to help a lady in her greatest time of need, and that’s for me how I got into the crime scene and cleaning business."  Read Nick's story in Franchise Times

Today, there are hundreds of companies that advertise crime and trauma scene cleaning, and a simple Google search may prove overwhelming when you're experiencing one of the most traumatic moments in your life. To help, we've listed pre-qualifying questions to ask before choosing a crime and trauma scene company. 

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaner

There are a number of key questions to ask crime and trauma scene cleaning technicians or business owners to properly root out which one is best for your goals and circumstances. 

  • Are you local? When there's a blood spill, response time is key to prevent biohazards from spreading and to ensure quick remediation. Several businesses may pay for online advertising in your city, but their technicians could be 3 or more hours away. Furthermore, avoid calling toll free numbers. "These numbers often lead to call centers. We're local. They're not," said Ginger Akemon, owner of Bio-One in Jacksonville, FL
  • Is your business certified and insured? Professional crime and trauma scene cleaning companies should have bloodborne pathogen certifications, they should follow OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines and remediation processes, and they should have insurance for their business. 
  • What is your process for disposing biohazardous waste? Once the remediation is complete, the accumulated waste will need to be disposed in accordance to local state guidelines. Make sure the business owner or technician is aware of these guidelines and has an appropriate plan for disposal.  
  • What happens to valuable or personal items that are impacted? At Bio-One, we are trained to be mindful of valuable and perceived valuable items, such as pictures, wallets, or a baseball card collection. Professional crime and trauma scene cleaners should ask if there are valuable items to keep an eye out for, and they will keep the family informed if these items are found. 
  • How will you charge for your services? In most cases, home insurance will cover the cost of biohazard remediation - less your deductible. Ask if they can open a claim on your behalf, taking this burden off your shoulders. If you don't have homeowners insurance, it's OK to ask for a free estimate so you can compare costs between other local companies. 
  • Will you be discrete during and after the job? Michele Amoranto, Bio-One owner in Oceanside, CA, always assures her clients that discretion is top of mind while her team is onsite. Bio-One vehicles are unmarked and technicians will designate work areas to don and doff PPE out of view from neighbors. 
  • Do you have a list of resources that can help after the cleanup? You may need flooring replaced or fresh drywall installed, which will also be covered under your home insurance claim, and a recommendation could help speed up the reconstruction process. Additionally, many crime and trauma scene cleaners have connections with local counselors and victim's advocates. In west Texas, Bio-One owner, Garrett Spooner, always offers a list of free mental health resources and states that, "Being volunteers of our local Crisis Intervention Unit, we consider our job incomplete without making sure our clients' mental health, grief process, and other issues our clients may have, are addressed."

Last but certainly most important, make sure the business you speak with shows care and compassion for your situation. They should want to do everything possible to support you and your loved ones.

If you are searching for a crime and trauma scene cleaner, Bio-One is here for you. All of our offices adhere to our business motto Help First, Business Second and are available 24/7. Click here to search for a Bio-One team near you.

Rebecca Wallace, Bio-One owner, recently visited with Arizona Midday to share how the Bio-One team makes a difference on and off the job in Arizona and throughout the United States. 

Arizona Midday - "Well we've got some help for your home right now. If you're feeling overwhelmed by a clean-up project, we've got help for you today. Rebecca Wallace is with Bio-One. Hi Rebecca. What is Bio-One?"

Rebecca - "So Bio-One is known for crime and trauma scene clean-up. However, we do a lot more than just that. We help people when there is a hoarding situation, so that they can regain their home and their lives again. We help with infectious disease decontaminationrodent droppingsodor abatement, basically if you think you might need a respirator to do the job we're the people you want to call."

Arizona Midday - "Wow, that's incredible. It's stuff we don't want to do. What made you decide to get into this line of work?" 

Rebecca - "So, me and my husband live in Flagstaff most of the time and we were talking with some first responders and heard how when people pass away or they're hoarders there is no one that can help them. There's just no one who does this kind of work. So we decided we want to be able to help our community, help those around us during a time of need so they can actually move forward in their lives and not have to deal with the mess of maybe things that have happened that they don't want to have to think about."

Arizona Midday - "I love that idea. So in order to help your clients as much as possible, do you work with other companies? Tell me about that if you do."

Rebecca - "Yes, we do. We work with quite a few other companies, because what we do is just a piece of a whole puzzle. So we work with a lot of restoration companies, Best Option Restoration, they are state-wide like us so they can help us anywhere as well. We work with animal rescues, so if there is a hoarding situation that animals are involved in we can get the animals out safely and get them rehabilitated. We work with quite a few non-profits that help first responders if they're in a time of need or crisis. It's across the board. We work with all kinds of different people. Contractors. Mental health professionals. Anyone that can be a piece of that puzzle with us, we want to work with them. 

Arizona Midday - "Oh, I love that. So what areas of Arizona does Bio-One cover?"

Rebecca - "We have offices all the way down from Tucson up to Flagstaff, and everything in-between. Our goal is to be able to help our clients within 90 minutes or less if there is an emergency. So we have offices everywhere. Any we're national. We have 120 offices throughout the US as well. 

Arizona Midday - "Wow. That's incredible. So you work with businesses. You work with non-profits, but you're also really involved in the community too, right? Tell me about that."

Rebecca - "Yeah we are. It's important for us to give back. Our community is important. We live here. We're part of it. So in 2020 alone, we gave out over 25,000 bottles of chemicals that are approved by the EPA for COVID-19 decontamination. We have blood drives all throughout Arizona to help with the blood shortage. We donate PPE to first responders and victim advocates. And we have BBQ's throughout the state as well for all of our first responders just to tell them thank you for what they've been doing. They work hard and we want to make sure that they know we care. 

Arizona Midday - "Rebecca Wallace, incredible work that you're doing with Bio-One.  And thank you so much for spending time with us today. 

Rebecca - "Thank you for having me."