Bio-One of Asheville decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

When a Loved One Passes Away: How Funeral Directors Collaborate with Biohazard Remediation Teams

In the emotional aftermath of loss, funeral directors often extend beyond traditional roles. Matt Gregg of Bio-One Asheville showcased this at the 2024 North Carolina Funeral Directors Association Convention, emphasizing the vital partnership with biohazard remediation teams. This collaboration focuses on supporting grieving families by managing the practical challenges they may face alone.

Key Points from the Video:

  • Expertise and Empathy: Our empathetic technicians help funeral directors answer families' sensitive questions after a loved one's body is removed.
  • Comprehensive Services: Bio-One provides crucial cleanup for scenarios like unattended deaths and severe hoarding. We guide families through next steps, identify valuables, and assist with insurance claims.
  • Training and Certification: Our trained, licensed, and insured personnel handle delicate situations with utmost professionalism.
  • Community Integration: As a local, community-focused resource, Bio-One is available 24/7 to support families during challenging times.

At the convention, Bio-One of Asheville and Bio-One of Asheboro proudly served as a Silver sponsor and enjoyed connecting with NC Funeral Directors Association President, Garland Smith.

This collaboration ensures families receive compassionate, comprehensive support when most needed, allowing us to serve the community together.


First Responder Relay Presented by Bio-One, Inc.

We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of the First Responder Relay in Las Vegas on October 16th. The First Responders Relay is a 9 person 48-mile running relay with stages ranging from 4.0 miles to 7.7 miles. The relay is competition comprised of first responder personnel from throughout the United States and the World, and is hosted by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF).

There is still time to register, but don't delay! Registration closes September 18.  Visit www.CPAF.org to join us in Las Vegas!

National Police Week Badge

#HELPFIRST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Bio-One Donates First Aid Kits in Recognition of National Police Week

 

Asheville, NC – In recognition of National Police Week, May 9-15, Bio-One thanked first responders by donating first aid kits to law enforcement officers at Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, Haywood County Sheriff's Office, and Henderson County Sheriff's Office as part of the nationwide campaign #HelpFirst for First Responders. Throughout the week, Bio-One offices in 41 states distributed a cumulative of 5,000 first aid kits which included alcohol swabs, Advil, gloves, gauze pads, and an assortment of bandages.

 

The #HelpFirst campaign aligns with the Bio-One motto, Help First, Business Second, and will be used to help officers and community members in the event of a minor medical emergency. 

 

“We appreciate everything local law enforcement officers do for western North Carolina day in and day out,” said Matt Gregg, owner of Bio-One. “As last responders for crime and trauma scenes, we value our relationships with these offices and look forward to supporting them in years to come.”

 

As a 2021 corporate sponsor of the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Bio-One, Inc. will also pay tribute to fallen officers during the virtual 33rd Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13 at 8:00 p.m. The event will be broadcasted live on FacebookYouTube, and LawMemorial.org/CV.

 

“We are so thankful for Bio-One’s corporate partnership and their continued support of the Memorial Fund,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. “This partnership will further bolster the Memorial Fund’s mission of honoring America’s Law Enforcement, as well as provide support for the Museum’s upcoming exhibition opening in September. We are grateful for their commitment.” 

 

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., which honors the names of all of the 22,611 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.  

 

About Bio-One 

Bio-One, a crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operates in western North Carolina and the South Carolina upstate. 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 Bio-One office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. For more information about Bio-One, visit us at www.BioOneAsheville.com.

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The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is proud to announce that the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are now Presented by Bio-One, Inc. 

 

Operating under the motto, "Help First, Business Second," Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times. Bio-One operates in 41 states with over 110 locations and is committed to providing first-class service. 

 

"We are thrilled to add Bio-One as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 USPFC because   First Responders warrant our support," said California Police Athletic Federation President LC Collins. "Bio-One’s reputation is second to none, and with their partnership, we can offer first responders a health and wellness outlet.  We look forward to working with them for years to come."

 

Founded by San Diego Police Lieutenant Veon "Duke" Nyhus, The United States Police & Fire Championships were first held in San Diego in 1967. Duke recognized the need to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among the Public Safety and First Responder community members. 

 

The USPFC caters to active and retired public safety and first responders who participate in Olympic-style competitions and open to individuals representing firefighters, law enforcement, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs across the country. Traditionally athletes compete in 45+ sporting events from biathlon to motocross across 35+ venues in Southern California.

 

"At Bio-One our support for Law Enforcement and Fire Service Officers is unwavering, and we're thrilled to partner with the California Police Athletic Federation during this memorable event," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One. "We wish each athlete success and look forward to celebrating these everyday heroes."

 

The 2021 USPFC Presented by Bio-One will take place from June 10th to the 19th in venues across San Diego, California, and strengthen the relationship between First Responders and the community for many years to come!

 

About the United States Police and Fire Championships

The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is the parent organization of two multi-sport programs designed for peace officers and firefighters. The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are open to active or retired public safety and first responder personnel from an eligible agency within the USA. For more information, please visit www.uspfc.org. 

 

Disclosing death when selling a home in North Carolina

If buying or selling a home in North Carolina is in your future, you're likely well versed the entire process from the initial offer to closing. But are you aware that disclosing a death in the home may be required? Here's what you need to know. 

Property Disclosure Documents

No matter how perfect a house looks on the outside, there is often property information a buyer needs to disclose before the sale can go through. Property disclosure documents reveal known structural issues, neighborhood nuisances, hazards, HOA details, water damage, notable repairs made to the home and death in the home. 

Rules for reporting a death in the home vary by state, and variations in rules may include:

  • Timeframe: When the death occurred. 
  • How the person passed away: If the death occurred naturally versus due to negligence on the property.
  • Hauntings: If the seller has knowledge that the property is being haunted by the dead. 

So what are the rules in North Carolina? Here are the details:

In 2017, ABC 11 in Raleigh reported on the 7 things that do and don't have to be disclosed in NC home sales. Their reporting stated:

Someone dying in a home does not need to be disclosed during a sale: including suicides, accidents, or violent crimes (yes, even if it was murder). This has been codified in state law. Experts said lawmakers were trying to destigmatize a property with a violent or unsavory history.

Additionally, according to DiedInHouse.com, if a buyer asks, and the seller knows, then they should answer truthfully, but no legal action shall be brought against the seller and agent for failing to disclose. Died In House offers promises to instantly search millions of records to determine if a death has occurred at any valid U.S. address. 

For a state by state guide on disclosure laws we recommend visiting this resource on Nolo.com

Remediating After a Death in a Home

If a death recently occurred in the home you're hoping to purchase, there may have been biohazards from bloodborne pathogens that required remediation. Consider asking the seller how the death was remediated to ensure proper steps were taken. Remediation processes may vary depending on the location of the death, how the death occurred, types of flooring, and if the death was undiscovered for days or weeks. 

Bio-One technicians are trained and equipped to properly disinfect biohazards from bloodborne pathogens, and we ensure safe biohazard material handling and disposal. Once the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids, we also help property owners restore the location to its pre-incident state. 

If you are selling a home and need a biohazard remediated or want to ensure remediation was done correctly, give our team in western North Carolina a call: 828-407-0454. Our experts not only contain and disinfect the dangerous biological materials, we carry out our work in a caring and private manner. 

Bio-One ranked number one in Entrepreneur magazine’s 42nd Annual Franchise 500 for success in crime-scene and trauma-scene cleaning. This marks the fifth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.

Asheville, NC – Bio-One ranked number one in Entrepreneur magazine’s 42nd Annual Franchise 500 for success in crime-scene and trauma-scene cleaning. This marks the fifth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.

Bio-One is locally owned and operated by Matt and Krista Gregg. Since 2019 they have served over 160 community members, businesses and government agencies in western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

Bio-One provides service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and more.

“The motto of ‘Help First, Business Second’ attracted us to pursue joining the Bio-One family and we’re thrilled to part of a winning team,” said Matt Gregg, owner of Bio-One. “We have cherished each opportunity to truly make a difference in our community.”

The number of Bio-One franchises have increased 145 percent in the last three years with over 100 locations in 41 states.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Entrepreneur,” said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, CEO of Bio-One Inc. “The ranking is a direct reflection of our Bio-One family, strength of our business model, and our ability to consistently deliver care and compassion to our clients.” 

Over its 42 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Bio-One’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. 

About Bio-One Inc. 

Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in 41 states with over 100 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, visit us at BioOneAsheville.com

 

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Bio-One of Asheville is teaming up with the Hendersonville County Sheriff’s Office and WeAreJaxStrong for a raffle. Up for grabs is a free COVID home disinfection! 

The money raised in the raffle will help support Hendersonville Sergeant Jordan Warren and his 4-year-old son, who has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of spinal cancer. The winner of the raffle will receive a COVID-19 disinfection from Bio-One of Asheville!

The disinfection, with a value of over $3,700, utilizes Electrostatic and ULV Fog application of two different types of disinfectants. These disinfectants are on the EPA’s N List, which means that they have been certified to disinfect against COVID-19. Additionally, the Bio-One team will also wet-wipe with microfiber cloths.

The process will only take two to three hours, so you won’t have to be out of your home or business for too long during the clean. 

Let’s take the fight to COVID and cancer — at the same time!

Raffle tickets are $5.00. Get your tickets here!

 

COVID-19 Disinfection Process and Work Experience

  • Bio-One of Asheville has implemented COVID-19 disinfections for NC State government buildings, local WNC government facilities, national retail stores, quick-service restaurants, AIR BNB rentals, and grocery stores. 
  • The Bio-One of Asheville team utilizes Electrostatic and ULV Fog application of two types of EPA N-List disinfectants, one of which is food-grade. If needed, the team will implement wet-wiping with microfiber cloths to ensure full application has been achieved. 
  • The work may take 2-3 hours and the space will be safe for immediate occupancy.
  • Bio-One can also provide a letter to accompany our COVID-19 disinfecting services should you want to have something on letterhead in the event customers ask what has been done.
  • The raffle includes costs for labor, PPE, chemicals, equipment, and disposal of any waste byproducts. MSDS of chemical is available upon request.

 

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By Sam LaRose

Has your nose been itching or runny as of recently? Have you experienced watery eyes? Can’t shake that nonstop tickle in your throat? 

It may be tempting to blame these symptoms on seasonal allergies, but allergenic symptoms may be caused by mold in your house, car or apartment.

Learn how our Bio-One team can help identify and remediate mold in your home.

Allergenic Mold Reactions

There are three main types of mold, but Allergenic mold is more commonly found (the others being Pathogenic mold and Toxigenic mold.) Everyone comes into contact with allergenic mold spores. While unlikely to cause serious illness, these spores can get into the nose, causing similar symptoms to other common airborne allergens, such as:

  • Sneezing
  • Itching
  • Runny nose
  • Congestion
  • Dry skin

Allergenic mold spores can also enter the lungs, triggering an asthmatic episode. 

How Do You Know if You Have a Mold Problem?

Large mold infestations in homes and vehicles can usually be seen or smelled. Most mold growth is black, green, or gray; however, it can appear in a variety of other colors.

Read more information about mold testing in our blog post Mold Testing and Mold Remediation Services - What to Know.

Where to Look for Mold

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture they will grow. Moisture may come from something as simple as an open window, to leaking pipes or roofs. In western North Carolina, we often find mold growing in crawl spaces, attics or utility closets.  

If you are experiencing allergenic symptoms and/or notice a mold or mildew-like smell, our Bio-One team can provide a free estimate to identify impacted areas, determine moisture sources and provide a remediation proposal. Contact our team today

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If your car has a moldy or mildew-like smell, you’ll want to take care of the problem quickly, especially when living in a humid area. Warning signs can include a smell like sour milk or discoloration on the seats and carpet. It can also become a health hazard and cause permanent damage to your vehicle. 

What are your options? Will I get sick? Can you clean the mold in your vehicle yourself? Should you hire a pro to remediate the mold? Where do I even begin?

We're here to help! As certified mold experts in western North Carolina and the South Carolina upstate, we've answered popular questions below. But if you need more information, you are always welcome to call us at 828-407-0454. 

Why does mold grow in a vehicle?

The climates in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina - damp conditions mixed with a warm environment - are a recipe for mold. And these conditions can easily be created in your car if you leave your window cracked or your sunroof open on a rainy day, or even spill some liquid on the floor. 

It only takes a small amount of moisture for mold to grow and it can only take a few days to colonize, but once you have mold in your car, it can be a real pain to get rid of and has the potential to ruin your car’s interior.

Can you get sick from mold in your car?

Allergic reactions to mold are common and they can be immediate or delayed. According to EPA.gov, "Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash."

If you or a loved one experience even mild symptoms, our Bio-One team encourages you to remediate the mold in the vehicle before operating it again.

What can you expect from a certified Mold Professional?

Depending on the severity of the mold you may want to try your hand at remediating the mold yourself, or calling in a certified professions, such as Bio-One of Asheville. We always encourage our customers to give Bio-One a call for a free estimate.

Here's what you can expect from a certified mold professional:

  • Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must (COVID-19 cloth masks will not protect from mold spores), as are vinyl or neoprene gloves.
  • Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
  • When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
  • Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains.


To sum it all up, hiring a mold professional, like Bio-One doesn’t have to be as confusing as you may think. The good ones won’t push unnecessary work, will charge reasonable prices, are able to clearly explain what work they will be doing, use professional practices  & equipment, and have lots of experience.

Contact Bio-One for a free inspection and estimate for mold remediation and/or crawl space encapsulation. Bio-One Asheville serves western North Carolina and the upstate South Carolina.

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We know mold removal can be an overwhelming task. Where should you begin? And how can you get it done right at a reasonable price?

The truth - mold removal isn’t as complicated as it’s often made out to be.  And the right mold professional, Bio-One, can guide you through the process while charging a reasonable price. 

Do I need to test for mold?

  • If you can already see it, it is present and there isn’t the need for a test, unless, for your own reasons, you are looking for specifics on the type of mold or mold level.
  • The bottom line: you just need to remove it. No visible mold growth belongs in a healthy home and all mold should be removed the same way.
  • If a so-called mold professional insists that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on pre-testing when mold is already visible, our advice is to be very wary. As a side note, before hiring any contractor to do work, we encourage you to do your research, check certifications and read reviews.

 

How expensive can I expect removal to be?

  • Prices of mold removal depend on the size of the job. But, some mold professionals out there exaggerate the amount of work that needs to be done, driving up the price. If you think a quoted price seems high, we recommend getting multiple quotes to compare. However, if you get a quote that’s shockingly low, that’s also a big red flag. 
  • Mold professionals are licensed and skilled tradesmen, just like a plumber or electrician, so you can expect to pay more for a mold company than a regular handyman.
  • No need to take a wrecking ball to the entire house at the sight of a little mold. You can keep the price down by focusing just on the area where there is visible mold.  For example, mold on drywall in one corner of the room only needs cut out and replaced in that corner.  Yes, the rest of the room (and maybe adjoining rooms) should be cleaned, but only damaged drywall needs to be cut out and replaced.

 

What should I expect from a true mold removal professional?

  • Any mold professional should be able to explain your mold removal project in plain English. If a contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and mold removal in layman’s terms, be very wary! 


Once in the home, here’s what to expect from a professional worth their salt:

  • Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must, as are vinyl or neoprene gloves.
  • Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
  • After mold is physically removed from its source, the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers and air exchange (i.e. replacing dirty moldy air with clean fresh air through simple ventilation or more sophisticated negative air controls for bigger jobs)
  • When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
  • Mold professionals usually discard moldy porous building materials such as drywall, insulation and baseboards. These materials are relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition.
  • Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after demo.
  • Mold professionals often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold, and to help with odor control.

To sum it all up, hiring a mold professional, like Bio-One doesn’t have to be as confusing as you may think. The good ones won’t push unnecessary testing, will charge reasonable prices, are able to clearly explain what work they will be doing, use professional practices & equipment, and have lots of experience.

Contact Bio-One for a free inspection and estimate for mold remediation and/or crawl space encapsulation. Bio-One Asheville serves western North Carolina and the upstate South Carolina.