17. What do biorecovery services include?

1. Removal of all biohazards through proper cleaning, disinfection, deodorization and documented disposal of infectious materials.
1. Trauma Scenes                        8.  Gross filth/ Hoarder/Squalor
2. Homicides                                 9.  Tear gas
3. Suicides                                    10.  Medical waste/needle pick-up
4. Crime Scenes                          11.  Dead animals
5. Decomposition                         12.  Industrial accidents           
6. Odor elimination                      13.  Automobile biohazards
7. Human/pet feces/waste          14.  Electrocutions           

17.  Can I just use my regular cleaning or janitorial service to clean up blood or bio-hazardous waste?

1. Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service has been properly trained and equipped to handle all bio-hazardous waste such as blood, human/animal waste, medical waste, and has a legally accepted mechanism in place to dispose of the recovered bio-hazardous waste. 

17. Do biorecovery companies counsel occupants, friends, families and staff?

1. No. Biorecovery companies relieve owners, managers, coworkers, families or friends from physical hazards of cleaning the location of the incident.  Biorecovery technicians should be professional in appearance and be very sensitive to the emotional needs to those affected by the situation, but do not counsel.
2. To be direct if the residence has human/animal waste, poor air quality, medical waste, decomposing waste, biohazardous waste (resident has left material laying about covered in blood, feces, etc and/or resident is known to have an infectious disease – Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, etc), or the like, it is imperative that a certified and well trained company clean the residence. A local cleaning company is not equipped to tackle the level of cleaning needed under these circumstances. 
3. For example, a home owner, lives on their own, has a staph infection, is a hoarder and has tissues, clothing and bedding all about the residence which is all potentially covered in staph along with the walls, counters, bathrooms and hard surfaces…call a Biorecovery company.

  2.  What training is involved to become a Biorecovery Technician?

First the technician should be trained in blood borne pathogens.  This training can take place on line however it does not involve any hands on training. 

Second and most important is obtaining an actual Biorecovery Technician certification through the American Biorecovery Association (http://americanbiorecovery.com/)

Third it is advised that the individual shadow existing practitioners to learn the trade in a hands-on environment.

How to know who you are getting to clean your residence or the residence you are wanting cleaned?  Ask about the company’s certifications and trainings. How many years of experience does this company have?  Where do they dispose of their biohazarous waste?  Do they have positive references from past clients? Do they offer before and after photos of their work?  Will they work with your insurance company if applicable (often insurance companies will work with certified technicians).  These are just a few considerations in hiring the right company.  Just remember you get what you pay for.  If you go with the lowest bid you may not be getting what you expected or hoped for.

3. What happens to 'bio waste' opposed to regular waste - - does disposing of it cost extra?

Biohazardous waste is regulated under law for both storage and disposal.  Disposal of medical waste/biohazardous waste in a landfill is against the law. Serious fines can be imposed if improper disposal is detected.  It is more costly to dispose of regulated waste, however the subsequent fines of improper disposal are not worth the risk.   Check with out the laws pertaining to your situation by looking at the local, state and federal standards.

Be sure to do your research!

4.  What other special services would biorecovery services recommend collaborating with when cleaning squalor/hoarder residences?

I’d recommend looking into licensed pest control, mold remediation and reputable air duct cleaning companies and movers/storage.  For pest and air duct companies be sure to ask about the products used in their work to be sure it is safe for those people, pets and plants living in the home or residence.  Mold testing and remediation is process that requires an individual who has been through extensive certification and licensing – it also requires that individual to go through continuing education.  Be sure you get the right person for the right job, make sure to check on their certifications.  Call a Biorecovery Technician and ask for referrals and/or do your research through recommending bodies like the better business bureau, yelp.com, state licensing offices, etc.  Even hiring a contract to conduct rehab work requires research to make sure they are best fit for the job.  Two of the most common and important fields of collaboration are with Professional Organizers and Therapists.  Both require confidentiality, in depth training and certification/licensing. Make sure that person has experience and knowledge of squalor/hoarder situations. 

The best price doesn’t always give the best product, remember you get what you pay for. Exposure to biohazards and other hazardous materials is not something to cut corners on.