Bio-One of Reno decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

How We Can Help Property Managers For Odor And Cigarette Smoke Remediation

Property managers adopt no-smoking rules for a reason. Strong odors diminish the market values for apartment units, homes, restaurants and office buildings. According to one estimate by the National Association of Realtors, homes lose 29 percent of their worth when they’re blemished by cigarette smoke .These properties may never sell, forcing landlords to invest in expensive restoration services to eliminate the odor and turn a profit. The Kennedy Restoration Company estimates that this process costs $15,000 for every 2-bedroom apartment unit in Portland, Oregon. A study approved by UCLA and supported by the California Department of Public Health came up with a more conservative estimate. They say that restoring multiunit apartments damaged by cigarette smoke in California will cost roughly $5,000 per unit on average. Though market values will differ depending on where you live, it’s fair to say that odor remediation services are almost always costly. They’re also time-consuming and laborious. Property managers lose money when they’re unable to rent out a unit and must find time in their day to conduct tedious research into restoration options that fit within their budget. Bio-One makes this process easy. We provide the most effective odor remediation service in the industry, and work with property managers daily to find an economical solution to their unique situations.  

Odor restoration involves a comprehensive process that targets virtually every item in the building, including floorboards, drywall, ceiling panels and light fixtures. Technicians must ventilate the property, disinfect all surfaces and discard items that absorb and sustain the odor. That means carpeting must be uprooted, curtains must be replaced, and walls must be repainted with sealers that trap unpleasant aromas. Odors will return if this process is not conducted thoroughly, forcing remediation specialists to undergo an exhausting and meticulous cleaning procedure for every property they work on. The arduousness of these services explain why they are often so pricey. When you call your local Bio-One office for a service, we’ll give you a breakdown of total costs. But we do not require payment until after your property is restored. 

           Once you contact us, we’ll typically complete the job within a 24-hour window, giving you the quickest opportunity to place your property back on the market. Our process eliminates the possibility that odors will return, which often happens when people without the right training attempt to clean the space themselves. According to PBS, cigarette smoke pollutants linger on surfaces for up to five years. Because of the pervasiveness of these compounds, weak chemicals and superficial cleaning jobs simply mask odors for a couple of days. We’ll remove porous structures in the building that retain the odor, like carpeting and flooring, and use a powerful chemical solution to eradicate surface-level pollutants. Call us today and you’ll be connected to a representative who can address your situation. We are on standby 24/7/365.

If you hear fluttering, squeaking and other strange noises in the night, you likely have unwelcome guests living behind your walls. Bats are among the most troublesome. Because most species are endangered, federal law prevents you from harming or killing them. That means you cannot seal off entry points in your home while they are roosting inside. Doing so jeopardizes the safety of young bats who do not know how to fly. In lieu of starving to death, the adults will force themselves into your living space out of desperation, resulting in an unsettling experience for you and an often-fatal encounter for them. The complexities of removing them from your home make it easy to pass the problem off for another day. But you’ll want to act quickly. While bats are helpful to humans for controlling bug populations and stymieing the spread of the fatal mosquito borne Zika virus, they are dangerous. But not in the way you might think. Only about six percent of bats carry rabies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they hardly ever attack people .The far greater risk to your health comes from guano—or bat excrement.

Guano are black, shiny pellets that crumble to the touch. You’ll find them directly underneath a roost and around entry points, and they’re usually accompanied by dark, muddy-looking urine stains. Because bats eat a third of their body weight in insects each day, they can produce voluminous heaps of excrement in just a couple of weeks. The size of the buildup depends on the number of bats in your home and the length of time they are unattended. In severe cases, these piles will grow several feet high. But if you have large masses of guano in your home, it will become apparent quickly. An overwhelming odor, distinct to bat guano, will emanate from the roost and attract other invasive pests, like cockroaches and beetles.

A few scattered pellets can be swept up without a problem. But when guano pile up, they become a culture medium for fungi. When unaware homeowners try to remove these crumbling heaps of feces, noxious spores that cause histoplasmosis—a life-threatening lung disease—are released into the air and inhaled. Fortunately, not everyone who contracts the disease will exhibit any symptoms. A strong immune system will usually kill the bacteria before a virus develops and the infected person will move on with their life not knowing that their body had been fighting a fungal disease. But people with weakened immune systems, like small children, the elderly and AIDS patients, are especially vulnerable. Early symptoms are closely associated with the flu. In two to three weeks, fever, chills, muscle pain and headaches will set in. But people who do not reach out for help may begin to exhibit alarming respiratory symptoms. Shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain ensues, with the problem worsening until the lungs fail. Histoplasmosis can be treated effectively with prescribed anti-fungal medication if the infected person seeks a doctor quickly enough. But because of the health risk, homeowners are advised not to clean up guano themselves. Untrained and unwary cleaners will easily inhale spores while working in the narrow spaces that bats occupy. In some cases, they spread through the ventilation system and put everyone in the house at risk. Because of the size of the task, you’re better off hiring guano remediation specialists.

           Bio-One has the equipment, the experience and the expertise to get the job done right. Our technicians will remove guano, urination stains and odors from your home for the most affordable price in the industry. We’ll also comprehensively disinfect the property to eliminate lingering bacterial threats. Contact us today and we’ll get the job done within a 24-hour window. Our offices never close.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          
                                                      

BIO-ONE INC. ANNOUNCES NEW LOCATION IN THE WINSTON-SALEM, NC COMMUNITY

Winston-Salem, NC Sept. 10, 2019 – Bio-One Inc. has announced the opening of its newest office, in the Winston-Salem, NC community. Bio-One offices provide top-notch decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while treating clients with the privacy and compassion which difficult moments demand. This location will serve Winston-Salem, the Piedmont Triad, and surrounding areas, as well as, assist all other franchised locations.

Bio-One Winston-Salem is owned by Nadine Black and Anthony Coleman.   After spending years in the corporate world, Nadine and Anthony chose to start Bio-One to become more involved in serving their community and helping families in their greatest time of need.    


"This is quite an honor for us, to have Nadine & Anthony own an office in the Winston-Salem area. The fact that we found Nadine & Anthony who have a passion to help their community, gives us great pride at our corporate office that we have the right people owning an office in Winston-Salem,” said Jason OBrien, CEO of Bio-One Inc. “Having Nadine & Anthony aboard signals that our constant efforts towards business and service excellence are paying off. We are proud to include Nadine & Anthony, and their Bio-One office in our Bio-One family.  They exemplify our company motto of Help First, Business Second."

For more information on Bio-One in Winston-Salem, please call (336) 830-1336 or visit www.BioOneWinstonSalem.com

Bio-One is here to help and serve our community when those are in need

About Bio-One Inc.

Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in 35 States with over 90 locations. Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. Each office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. For more information about Bio-One Inc., visit the Company’s website at www.bioonereno.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE BIO-ONE INC.

CONTACTS:

Bio-One Winston-Salem

Nadine Black

Anthony Coleman

(336) 830-1336

Info@BioOneWinstonSalem.com

www.BioOneWinstonSalem.com


Bio-One Inc.

Jason OBrien, CEO and President

720-463-3004

Jason@BioOneInc.com

www.bioonereno.com

Franchising allows you to pick your passion. If you do it right, work becomes play and your business becomes a mechanism to do what you love. As you continue your search for a company that speaks to your needs, you’ll likely be weighing the benefits of each franchise against one another. Does corporate offer training and support? Is business expanding or shrinking? Is this work meaningful to myself and others? These are the questions that might be rattling in your head as you begin your journey towards entrepreneurial self-sufficiency. Here, we’ll break down the rewards of purchasing a Bio-One franchise, and what they might mean for you. 

1)     An Opportunity to Help Others during their Greatest Time of Need

Bio-One is perfect for people who have a passion for helping others on the worst day of their lives. Because authorities do not clean up the aftermath of homicides, suicides and other violent crime scenes, dangerous biohazardous materials will sit unattended in the affected family’s home or property. Our company was founded so that families impacted by these tragedies do not have to go through the trauma of cleaning up these scenes themselves. By conducting this work scientifically, we ensure that the area is thoroughly decontaminated to prevent infectious diseases from spreading. But this job demands more than stringent cleanup procedures. Because we are among the first to interact with those who have been left behind after a homicide or suicide, we prioritize our clients’ emotional needs. That’s why our motto is “Help first, business second.” Though it involves strenuous work, this position provides franchisee’s an opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives when they need help the most.

2)     An Unparalleled System of Training and Support

We train our franchisees until they are masters of their industry. Because we want to provide you with all the resources you need to be self-sufficient, we’ll teach you how to effectively market your business, how to coordinate a remediation plan for a live crime scene and how to use personal protective equipment. Our leadership team is on standby 24/7 to assist you as challenges arise so you never have to feel like you’re unable to answer a difficult question.  But training and support continue long after you are brought onboard. Classes continue throughout the year to inform you about developments in the industry and changing practices. We also hold annual training conferences at “family reunions” during the holidays, where we gather all our franchisees from across the nation to celebrate our successes and reflect on how we can continue to grow.

3)     An Impressive Record of Growth and Development

Our decades of experience have given us the blueprint for success in this industry, and our remarkable growth over the past few years proves it. Entrepreneur Magazine announced at the beginning of this year that we ranked higher than last year in their esteemed Franchise 500—a comprehensive ranking system of over 1,000 companies that analyzes which franchises are growing in America. We made the largest leap forward in Bio-One’s history, moving from #344 to #304. Jumps this dramatic are rarely heard of in the franchising world. We were also named one of the fastest growing franchises in the nation by Inc. 5000 Magazine in 2018; and in 2017, we received an award from Entrepreneur Magazine for being among the top 100 franchises of the year. We continue to be recognized annually by the likes of Entrepreneur Startup’s Magazine, Franchise Dictionary Magazine and FranchiseRankings.com for expanding our business beyond expectations.

If you want to be part of our award-winning team, contact the Franchise Help Line at 720-463-3004 and we’ll help start you on your path towards success. We’re happy to speak with you 24/7/365. 

 Six percent of Americans suffer from compulsive hoarding. That means 19 million people are incapable of controlling the clutter that they compile in their homes, and face distress when their valuables—often trash and rotting food—are thrown out. This figure is a conservative estimate. Although the problem is referenced repeatedly throughout history, hoarding is underdiagnosed and misunderstood. Indeed, famed poet Dante Alighieri described hoarding as a sin in his Divine Comedy during the 14th century. In 1947, wealthy New Yorkers Homer and Langley Collyer gained national attention when they were found dead beneath mounds of trash in their Harlem apartment. After years of studying the problem as a type of obsessive compulsion disorder, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders finally classified hoarding as a distinct mental illness in 2013. Research on treating hoarders is still in development, but experts agree that cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective solution. But despite growing awareness, many Americans still think hoarding is a symptom of laziness. If hoarders would just take the initiative to clean up after themselves, the argument goes, they wouldn’t run into problems in the first place. These assumptions neglect the fact that hoarding is a cognitive impairment. Because hoarders resist outside efforts to assist them, finding a solution is extremely challenging. This situation should not be taken lightly. The prevalence of the disorder across the country poses a serious public health hazard. Hoarders threaten both themselves and the neighborhoods they live in because of the dangerous conditions that arise when their homes are overflowing with trash—and in some cases—live animals. Sadly, they are often unaware of the precariousness of their lifestyle. Though researchers have yet to comprehensively study the frequency of hoarding-related deaths, the potential for a tragic outcome is clear.

Fire hazards are perhaps the most immediate threats to life and the surrounding community. Combustible items like books, clothes and newspapers are often stacked in enormous piles throughout the home, making it difficult for people to move around. When space becomes limited, hoarders convert heating appliances like stoves, microwaves and fireplaces into storage vessels, increasing the likelihood of an outbreak significantly. If a fire ignites, whether from a cigarette end or an electrical malfunction, it will spread rapidly, feeding off the copious amounts of clutter scattered throughout the home. Hoarders caught in the crisis will not be able to reach an exit without navigating the mounds of trash that line their walls and floors. If unsuccessful, first responders will need to find them in the blaze—a task that may be impossible. Exits and entrances are often blocked off, slowing the efforts of firefighters trying to enter the building. When they make it inside, they will have to navigate heaps of trash amid flames and smoke to rescue the homeowner. The odds of reaching them in time are low.

Because these homes are nearly impossible to maneuver, hoarders create narrow trails, known as “goat paths,” to help them cross into other rooms . In addition to slowing down movement during a fire, these paths are susceptible to deadly tripping hazards—especially for the elderly, who disproportionately suffer from compulsive hoarding. Objects stacked on mounds of garbage are unstable. If something drops to the floor and obstructs the walking path, an unsuspecting homeowner may fall and hurt themselves. Older individuals are more likely to become trapped in these passageways. But because hoarding is associated with loneliness and depression, they’re likely to be by themselves and unable to call for help. Heavy objects can also fall from these heaps of garbage and strike someone on the head, causing serious injuries.

            Bio-One helps prevent hoarding tragedies before they happen. Please contact us if you know a loved one suffering from hoarding and we can connect you with the resources to assist them. We are on standby day and night, every day of the year.

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Biohazardous waste demands a different disposal process than other items you might throw in the trash, like discarded food. Any object suffused with blood, bodily fluids or pathological materials must be processed in accordance to state regulations, lest they damage the environment, harm human beings or spread infectious diseases. While regulations vary state-to-state, they invariably result in enormous fines—and even prison time in some cases. Though severe, these penalties are designed to stymie an ongoing problem. Agencies like the World Health Organization regularly highlight the costs of improper medical waste disposal, like the inundation of contaminated syringes in low-income nations. A person who suffers an injury from an incorrectly disposed syringe, according to the agency, has a 30 percent chance of developing HBV from an infected source patient. Incorrect disposal methods can also contaminate a city’s water supply, pollute the air with toxins and injure landfill workers. Because of the dangers of improper biohazard disposal, you should be aware of the precautionary techniques that professional cleanup technicians follow to responsibly remove infectious waste.

 

First, it’s helpful to define biohazard waste and the materials that constitute it. Simply put, biohazard waste is trash that has the potential to transmit a disease. Because the phrase carries such a broad definition, it is generally divided into five subcategories that require separate cleanup procedures. They are outlined here:

1)     Sharps

Any biohazard that can puncture the skin adopts the rather colloquial designation “sharps.” Used syringes, knives, scalpels, broken glass and microscope slides fit under this definition. Among the various categories of biohazard waste, sharps should be approached with the most caution. Someone who hasn’t been formally trained in biohazard cleanup can easily cut themselves if they aren’t careful, which will surely result in a trip to the hospital. Biohazardous sharps must immediately be disposed of in a properly labeled biohazardous sharps container. As their name implies, these containers have been specially designed to collect sharps in a safe and simplistic manner. You can purchase sharps containers online, but you should only do so if you’re planning to transport the waste to a proper disposal site. These supervised collection sites include hospitals, pharmacies, universities, police stations, health departments, fire stations and doctor’s offices.

2)     Solid Waste (Non-Sharp)

Solid, non-sharp objects contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials fall under this category. They include medical gloves, used gauze, linens, towels, plastics, non-glass containers and other personal protective equipment. If the object can splinter or break apart (i.e. glassware), it should be treated as a “sharp.” All solids should be stored in a thick, leak-proof container fitted with a lid. Make sure your container is properly labeled and lined with a biohazard disposal bag. You can find biohazard waste containers online, but from here, you must contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor for pickup. They will proceed to sterilize the contents of the container and dispose of the materials in accordance with state law.

3)     Liquid Waste

Liquids such as blood, saliva, semen, breast milk, biological culture mediums and other blood products qualify under this category. Like with solid waste, these fluids must be stored in a properly labeled, leak-proof container. Place the container in a larger receptacle for safety. You can disinfect the product by adding bleach proportionate to 10 percent of the container’s entire volume, but we recommend that you call a certified medical waste disposal contractor if you are untrained in this procedure. Refrain from disposing the product down the sink or dumping it somewhere outside your home. Even if the solution has been diluted, you will risk damaging the environment and subjecting others to harmful pathogens.

4)     Pathological Waste

Pathological materials include human and animal tissues, organs and body parts (teeth are an exception). We recommend that you immediately contact a licensed medical waste disposal contractor if you come across one of these items. Proper storage procedures involve placing the waste into two properly labeled leak-proof biohazard bags. When transported, these bags should be contained in a secondary storage unit—a tray or plastic container—for additional security. Disposal teams will usually incinerate the items.

5)     Microbiological Waste

Unless you’re a medical professional, you are least likely to encounter microbiological waste. It’s almost always found in laboratories, and items used to handle biological cultures—such as dishes, mixing devices and other tools. Laboratory personnel generally handle waste disposal on site. If you encounter any of these items, contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor immediately. 

Bio-One’s certified technicians frequently work with clients to remove biohazardous materials safely, courteously and privately. Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re available every hour of the day. 

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If a musty odor pervades your home, you should take a closer look at your walls and fixtures. In rooms exposed to moisture, a series of highly concentrated dark patches seem baked into some of the surfaces. At first glance, they resemble insect colonies or messy blots of ink. But you’ll notice that they have a fuzzier, more organic complexion to them. If you come across one of these confusing patterns, it’s clear that you have a mold problem. But you shouldn’t panic. Hiring a mold remediation team quickly will spare you from any serious health hazards and property damage. Despite their infamous reputation, these unsightly fungi are simple and cost-effective to treat during their early stages of development.

Although they are practically ubiquitous indoors and outdoors, mold spores are only bothersome when they begin to reproduce in mass on surfaces in our homes. A colony forms when spores are exposed to water or excessive humidity. When that happens, the fungi will stick to the damp surface and grow in chaotic arrangements, producing unpleasant odors and particles that aggravate our respiratory system. At some point, everyone in the home will start sniffling, sneezing and wheezing. But those with asthma may suffer from an asthma attack if the mold continues to cultivate unattended. Even worse, some species—like black mold—will generate toxins that harm healthy people. For those with allergies or asthma problems, these spores may be fatal. While toxic molds are rare, it’s important to address a colony quickly. Not only will doing so improve the air quality in your home, it will prevent extensive property damage and costly treatments over time. The larger the colony, the larger the price tag.

The EPA says that moldy areas less than 10 square feet can be removed without professional help . But some people may have problems with recurring growth. This likely derives from the mold’s source. Colonies form 24 to 48 hours after they are exposed to water, or in areas with above 50 percent of relative humidity (You can measure relative humidity with a hygrometer bought from a local hardware store). You probably are unable to eliminate the mold because it continues to thrive off moisture in the room. Reducing water exposure—even if it means halting shower use for a couple of weeks—is likely the key to solving the problem. But as mold colonies grow, they become increasingly dangerous to address. Because of the hazards of treating colonies larger than 10 square feet, they should be avoided.

Buying a respiratory mask will temporarily protect your respiratory system as you try to fix the problem. But to remediate the area, you also need to seal the room that’s being worked in. As you clean the colony, spores will travel into adjoining rooms, stick to furnishings and repopulate in moist spaces. Hidden mold, which grows behind wallpapers, ceiling tiles and dry wall, may burst if you attempt to pry the area open, spreading spores even more effectively. To solve the problem, you need to clean the growth with the right chemicals, prevent spores from spreading and suppress the underlying water source from attracting new fungi. Because of the time-sensitivity of this process and the expertise it demands, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. 

             Bio-One can remove mold from your home permanently. We hire technicians who will isolate the source of the growth, decontaminate the area and remove and reconstruct surfaces that have been affected. Our services are remarkably quick, and they are efficient. Once our team is notified of the job, we’ll usually complete the work within a 24-hour window. Give us a call at your local Bio-One office and you’ll be put in touch with a representative who can address your unique situation. Our phone lines are open 24/7/365. We’re happy to help.

Lingering odors frustrate homeowners and business owners alike. Cigarette smoke, animal waste and mold produce foul, pervasive smells that are difficult to remove. Despite your best efforts, they often survive over-the-counter cleaning agents and air fresheners, and return with the same potency as before. An ineffectual process of spraying and scrubbing ensues, prolonging the issue and circumventing the problem. Why are some odors so intractable? The answer depends on the concentration of a smell’s source and the permeability of whatever it touches. Cat urine, for example, is a highly concentrated chemical solution that soaks a given area with powerful compounds. These molecules sink deep into porous surfaces and fester over time, making them extremely difficult to remove. Left unattended, these urine stains will produce an overwhelming odor that will only go away if the right cleaning chemicals saturate the affected area. A similar situation occurs in the homes of chronic smokers. While not nearly as concentrated as cat urine, cigarette smoke penetrates walls, carpeting and wooden fixtures. As these surfaces absorb the molecules that irritate our noses, a lingering odor develops. These smells are stubborn and persistent.

Sometimes, they’re even dangerous. Mold, feces and decayed animals produce noxious odors that pollute your home with airborne bacteria. Once inhaled, these germs can cause respiratory problems that require medical treatment. They’re the reason why people who haven’t been trained in biohazard remediation are discouraged from cleaning up unattended deaths and large decomposing animals themselves. Air respirators and other professional equipment are required in these situations to stymie infectious airborne pathogens.

Unfortunately, home appliances and common cleaning solutions are not effective at dealing with lingering odors. Instead of pushing these smells outside, ventilation systems circulate them throughout the home. Your ability to eradicate them depends on where the odors are coming from and the severity of the source. In hoarding situations, unattended trash and waste rot for months and years, creating a cornucopia of complex odors that are nearly impossible to remove. A single pet stain, conversely, can be remedied easily. But if your carpet is continuously soaked with animal waste, or your walls are frequently exposed to cigarette smoke, you may face a more serious challenge. In extreme scenarios, scented candles and reed diffusers will do little to purify the air quality. While fresheners like Febreze neutralize bad smells, they only offer a temporary solution in these situations. Because the odor’s source often lies beneath carpeting, behind vinyl and inside walls, these products only hide the problem. It will resurface once the deodorizer drifts out of the room, leaving you back where you started.

So what are you supposed to do if you’re struggling to remove a lingering odor? You may need to contact a professional odor remediation company to ventilate your home or business. Bio-One offers a simple and effective approach to restore your property’s air quality in a timely manner. After identifying the source of the smell, our odor removal experts use powerful chemicals and special equipment to comprehensively decontaminate the area. Fixtures in the home that sustain the odor—like porous walls, carpeting and flooring—will be removed and disposed of in accordance with state regulations. Please give us a call so we can address your unique situation. Our phone lines are open 24/7, any day of the year. 

Biohazardous waste demands a different disposal process than other items you might throw in the trash, like discarded food. Any object suffused with blood, bodily fluids or pathological materials must be processed in accordance to state regulations, lest they damage the environment, harm human beings or spread infectious diseases. While regulations vary state-to-state, they invariably result in enormous fines—and even prison time in some cases. Though severe, these penalties are designed to stymie an ongoing problem. Agencies like the World Health Organization regularly highlight the costs of improper medical waste disposal, like the inundation of contaminated syringes in low-income nations. A person who suffers an injury from an incorrectly disposed syringe, according to the agency, has a 30 percent chance of developing HBV from an infected source patient. Incorrect disposal methods can also contaminate a city’s water supply, pollute the air with toxins and injure landfill workers. Because of the dangers of improper biohazard disposal, you should be aware of the precautionary techniques that professional cleanup technicians follow to responsibly remove infectious waste.

First, it’s helpful to define biohazard waste and the materials that constitute it. Simply put, biohazard waste is trash that has the potential to transmit a disease. Because the phrase carries such a broad definition, it is generally divided into five subcategories that require separate cleanup procedures. They are outlined here:

1)     Sharps

Any biohazard that can puncture the skin adopts the rather colloquial designation “sharps.” Used syringes, knives, scalpels, broken glass and microscope slides fit under this definition. Among the various categories of biohazard waste, sharps should be approached with the most caution. Someone who hasn’t been formally trained in biohazard cleanup can easily cut themselves if they aren’t careful, which will surely result in a trip to the hospital. According to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, biohazardous sharps must immediately be disposed of in a properly labeled biohazardous sharps container. As their name implies, these containers have been specially designed to collect sharps in a safe and simplistic manner. You can purchase sharps containers online, but you should only do so if you’re planning to transport the waste to a proper disposal site. These supervised collection sites include hospitals, pharmacies, universities, police stations, health departments, fire stations and doctor’s offices.

2)     Solid Waste (Non-Sharp)

Solid, non-sharp objects contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials fall under this category. They include medical gloves, used gauze, linens, towels, plastics, non-glass containers and other personal protective equipment. If the object can splinter or break apart (i.e. glassware), it should be treated as a “sharp.” All solids should be stored in a thick, leakproof container fitted with a lid. Make sure your container is properly labeled and lined with a biohazard disposal bag. You can find biohazard waste containers online, but from here, you must contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor for pickup. They will proceed to sterilize the contents of the container and dispose of the materials in accordance with state law.

3)     Liquid Waste

Liquids such as blood, saliva, semen, breast milk, biological culture mediums and other blood products qualify under this category. Like with solid waste, these fluids must be stored in a properly labeled, leakproof container. The University of Tennessee in Knoxville recommends placing the container in a larger receptacle for safety. You can disinfect the product by adding bleach proportionate to 10 percent of the container’s entire volume, but we recommend that you call a certified medical waste disposal contractor if you are untrained in this procedure. Refrain from disposing the product down the sink or dumping it somewhere outside your home. Even if the solution has been diluted, you will risk damaging the environment and subjecting others to harmful pathogens.

4)     Pathological Waste

Pathological materials include human and animal tissues, organs and body parts (teeth are an exception). We recommend that you immediately contact a licensed medical waste disposal contractor if you come across one of these items. Proper storage procedures involve placing the waste into two properly labeled leakproof biohazard bags. When transported, these bags should be contained in a secondary storage unit—a tray or plastic container—for additional security. Disposal teams will usually incinerate the items.

5)     Microbiological Waste

Unless you’re a medical professional, you are least likely to encounter microbiological waste. It’s almost always found in laboratories, and includes items used to handle biological cultures—such as dishes, mixing devices and other tools. Laboratory personnel generally handle waste disposal on site. If you encounter any of these items, contact a certified medical waste disposal contractor immediately. 

Bio-One’s certified technicians frequently work with clients to remove biohazardous materials safely, courteously and privately. Please contact us if you have any questions. We’re available every hour of the day. 

You’ve probably seen grey lockboxes with biohazard stickers mounted to walls in pharmacies and libraries and wondered what they are. These containers have been implemented in public institutions to contain sharps waste, a dangerous kind of medical refuse. Referred to colloquially as “sharps” in the health care industry, this category of infectious waste includes anything that can pierce the skin. Needles, knives, scalpels, broken glass, lancets and razors are included under this definition. As are syringes, which tend to feature in the most publicized examples of sharps mismanagement. For instance, CBS News reported that officials in San Francisco collected 13,000 used syringes off the streets in March 2017. While these numbers were certainly amplified by the opioid crisis, this extreme example illustrates why everyone must take precautions to ensure that discarded needles are properly disposed of. Moreover, it underscores the fact that this is a ubiquitous and contemporary issue in the US. What makes sharps so dangerous is that they’re almost always contaminated with someone else’s body fluids. When the instrument pierces another person’s skin, it can easily transmit bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. To suppress the spread of disease, you’ll need to know how to dispose of sharps properly.   

            Allowing a trained medical professional to handle sharps is ideal. But some situations may require you to dispose of them yourself. If you need to pick one up off the ground, be sure you’re wearing thick, puncture resistant gloves and that you’re walking slowly. Point the tip away from your body and from others, and dispose of the item in a secure sharps container as quickly as possible. Regulated by the FDA, these containers are distinct for their red, puncture proof exterior and clear top. They are also marked by the internationally recognized biohazard symbol, which looks like three rings pinned together concentrically by a nail. You will find these at a number of disposal sites in your state. They include hospitals, some libraries, pharmacies, universities, police stations, health departments, fire stations and doctor’s offices. Wall mounted sharps containers come in red and grey, and look like lockboxes. If you are unsure, an official collection box will always carry the biohazard symbol.

Often times you’ll need to transport the item to one of these disposal sites. Placing sharps in a puncture proof, leak proof container is required to avoid an accident. While the vessel can be something mundane, like a bleach container, be sure to mark it as hazardous for additional safety. Although this process is inconvenient, the law mandates that you dispose of sharps at a collection site. So make sure you never throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Doing so puts trash collectors, landfill operators, sewage workers, children and other household members at risk. Do not place sharps in a container that is overflowing, and never try to force them inside. If you are stuck with a sharp, wash the wound with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention.

Bio-One transports and disposes of medical waste daily. Contact us if have any questions about sharps management. We’re available to help 24/7/365.