Bio-One of Savannah decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

What is Defined as a Biohazard?

biohazard cleanup savannah

A Biohazard is any biological agent or waste that can become a threat to humans, animals, or the environment. These can come in many shapes and sizes. A virus, for example, is considered a Biohazard, but then so is blood, or urine or any bodily fluids that may carry a contaminant or a pathogen that could undermine someone’s health. But no matter what biohazard is present, you should always hire a biohazard cleanup Savannah expert.

The Different Classifications of Biohazards

To gain a better understanding of what biohazards are and what they can do to individuals, it’s important you understand their classifications.

Category A UN 2814

These are substances that can be infectious and affect humans by causing permanent disability or even life-threatening effects.

Category A UN 2900

These substances can be infectious and affect animals but cannot cause permanent disability or life-threatening effects to human beings.

Category B UN 3373

These are biological substances that are being transported to be investigated or diagnosed.

Regulated Medical Waste UN 3291

Waste derived from an animal(s) and human(s), or material derived from medical treatment of the same.

Biohazard Levels

There are also different levels of biohazard, ranging from biohazard level 1 to biohazard level 4. Each increasing level encompasses more dangerous elements than the ones below it. Some examples of these include the following:

Biohazard Level 1

Bacteria and viruses present a minimum risk where facial and glove protection is required, but nothing more.

Biohazard Level 2

Bacteria and viruses can cause mild disease in human beings. Examples of this include the flu.

Biohazard Level 3

At this level, we include bacteria and viruses that can cause severe disease or even fatal outcomes to humans.

Biohazard Level 4

In the last level, we have the most dangerous elements, those that have no cure and vaccines are not available. 

Crimes and Biohazards

Most violent crimes will leave behind some form of biohazard. It can be in the form of tissue or blood, the remnants of a corpse, and a host of other things that only trained biohazard cleanup Savannah experts should assess. 

Dealing with biohazard materials can be very dangerous. A do-it-yourself approach is not recommended as it could undermine your health and that of the people living or working in the affected area. Biohazard cleanup Savannah procedures should always be performed by professionals with the appropriate certifications, training, and experience.

Bio-One of Savannah is among the most trusted in the industry because we care about our clients more than we do about business. We have the most capable and well-trained technicians in the field and adhere to OSHA and EPA regulations to the letter. Our motto is “Help first, business later,” and we operate by that simple principle. This principle has led us to having a great reputation and a clientele that would recommend us any time.

Bio-One, The Premier Biohazard Cleanup Savannah Experts

If you require help cleaning up a crime scene, disinfecting, deodorizing, or any other similar services, we can help. We are available 24/7, everyday of the year, so don’t hesitate to contact us if the need arises.

You can call us anytime at 912-755-1211 or visit our website www.bioone-savannah.com/.


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.