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
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:
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.
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:
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.
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?
How expensive can I expect removal to be?
What should I expect from a true mold removal professional?
Once in the home, here’s what to expect from a professional worth their salt:
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.
Typically listed in minutes, dwell times are how long the chemical needs to sit wet on a hard surface to properly disinfect. This varies between sprays, wipes, and aerosols.
When purchasing a product, check if the EPA registration number is included on the Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 list. According to the EPA website, “When purchasing a product, check if its EPA registration number is included on this list. If it is, you have a match and the product can be used against SARS-CoV-2. You can find this number on the product label – just look for the EPA Reg. No. These products may be marketed and sold under different brand names, but if they have the same EPA registration number, they are the same product.”
If you choose to have your house or business cleaned by a local service, make sure to ask if they are using chemicals on the EPA list.
Disinfecting lessens and even kills germs on surfaces to make them safe for contact. Disinfecting requires a stronger solution to go beyond reducing the germs and bacteria, with the goal of destroying them.
Each level of cleaning requires different hard surface dwell times. For example, directions on an aerosol can of Lysol are as follows:
While protecting you and your loved ones against COVID-19, keep disinfecting simple. Read the label, remember the disinfecting dwell time and ensure you’ve sprayed or wiped enough chemical on the hard surface to reach the minimum requirements.
WHO: Bio-One of Asheville, a local biohazard & trauma cleaning company serving Western North Carolina.
WHAT: Owners Matthew Gregg and Krista Gregg are available to discuss the protocol to properly disinfect an area (eg: home, workspace, warehouse) in the case of a coronavirus (or other infectious disease) infection ensuring that the surroundings are decontaminated, a re-infection does not occur and that the disease does not continue to spread.
Bio-One of Asheville has experience with disinfecting and disinfecting after infectious diseases, including MRSA, C. DIFF, STAPH, HIV and more.
WHEN: As needed.
With recent reported cases in Western North Carolina, Bio-One of Asheville is prepared to assist with the remediation of COVID-19. After confirmed infection, a space must be professionally disinfected before it can be occupied. Experienced biohazard cleaning technicians know how to remediate the area, and prevent further contamination and infection. Our teams use the most up-to-date equipment and protocols. Bio-One is certified, licensed and insured, and available 24/7.
With Bio-One offices throughout the state, our teams are prepared to assist wherever needed in North Carolina.
Bio-One of Asheville, locally owned and operated, is a franchise of Bio-One, Inc., a leader in crime scene and biohazard cleanup. Currently, there are Bio-One offices throughout NC, and more than 100 offices nationwide. Bio-One is nationally respected and was called upon to assist in the aftermath of the Mandalay Bay mass shooting in 2017 and the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
How can Bio-One help? With over 90 offices across the United States, Bio-One teams have been preparing to assist communities with unique Coronavirus disinfection services in the event we are called to help.
After a confirmed infection, a space must be professionally disinfected before it can be occupied. Experienced biohazard cleaning technicians know how to remediate the area, and prevent further contamination and infection. Our teams use the most up-to-date equipment and protocols. Bio-One is certified, licensed and insured.
With four Bio-One offices throughout North Carolina, our teams are prepared to assist wherever needed. To learn more about our COVID-19 disinfection process give our team a call at 828-407-0454.
We also wanted to share a list of the resources we’re following. See below!
Government Websites
Local Healthcare Resources
County Health Departments
Local News Outlets
Imagine living in another state and receiving news that an elderly family member has been hospitalized for Clostridium difficile, commonly known as C. diff. You’re hundreds of miles away, and hospital caregivers will not let your loved one return home until the entire house is properly disinfected. What do you do? Who do you call for C. diff disinfection?
Last week, our Bio-One team was able to help a family experiencing this overwhelming situation (BIG thanks to Maury at Disaster Doctors for referring Bio-One). And we’re thrilled to report our client is now resting comfortably at home in a safe environment.
Would you know what to do if this happened? Let’s first review some facts about C.diff and then we’ll dive into disinfecting.
C. diff is a bacterial infection that can cause life-threatening diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon), and it is considered a major health threat. In 2017, there were an estimated 223,900 cases in hospitalized patients and 12,800 deaths in the United States. As stated by the Center for Disease Control, CDC, C. diff infections mostly occur in:
C. diff germs are transmitted by touching a contaminated surface or material. These germs are typically found in fecal matter, and are notoriously difficult to kill.
According to the CDC, inactive spores are able to live for months and sometimes years on surfaces. The spores become active when they are swallowed and reach the intestines.
To put this in context, the above graphic is a quick comparison between a common cold, the flu, and C. diff in terms of lifespan on hard surfaces and what prevention methods work best, alcohol-based hand disinfectrs versus soap and water. As you can see, C. diff is unique. The spores can last well beyond a hospital stay which means decontaminating a home is absolutely necessary. Also, C. diff is a prime example for why you should always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after using the restroom, when showering, and before eating.
C. diff spores can be found on non-porous and porous surfaces throughout the home. If an infection has occurred, contact the homeowners insurance agent to determine if decontamination is covered under your policy. Also, we don't recommend entering the home, but if you must, you should wear the proper PPE (personal protective equipment). This may include gloves, masks and booties.
The CDC offers a bleach plus water mixture, which is applicable to doorknobs, bathroom surfaces, and kitchen countertops. Clothing, comforters, sheets and towels should also be washed on a hot cycle to ensure proper disinfection. These steps however, do not ensure porous items such as sofas, recliners, hardwood floors, carpet, and more are safe.
This is why our Bio-One team implements a multi-step proprietary process and chemical mixture to ensure comprehensive disinfection. When completed, these steps ensure all surfaces and fabrics are disinfected and ready for use as soon as your loved one returns home.
For more information, contact Bio-One Asheville via email at info@biooneasheville.com or by calling 828-407-0454.
Help First, Business Second isn't something Bio-One of Asheville simply claims to do. We live by it! So when we heard Babies Need Bottoms needed volunteers ASAP (Thank you Junior League of Asheville!) our Bio-One team jumped into action.
Babies Need Bottoms is a diaper bank serving families in need across western North Carolina. On Tuesday, Matt and Krista hand-wrapped packs of donated diapers to be distributed to community partners across 5 counties in western North Carolina. They also helped unpack four pallets of baby wipes received that morning!
“Many factors affect diaper need in Asheville including high cost of living, limited employment opportunities, expensive retail cost of diapers, and significant poverty. If parents don’t have access to clean diapers, there are no options – no government funding, nowhere to turn. Lack of clean diapers affects more than a child’s health; it affects parental stress and the ability to attend daycare.”
But the need extends well beyond the Asheville area. In WNC:
With 15 partners spanning 5 counties, including Helpmate, Steadfast House, Buncombe County Social Work Services, The Children & Family Resource Center and YWCA of Asheville, Babies Need Bottoms estimates they deliver 5,000 diapers every 6-8 weeks! Which is an incredible feat since the non-profit was founded in 2017, but what is their ultimate goal? To donate 10,000 diapers per month! And we know they can do it.
We are often asked what chemicals cleanup blood, feces and other biohazards, and our Bio-One Asheville team always uses our four proprietary chemicals, one of which is a tuberculocide. But one household cleaner continues to pop up in conversation as we’re often asked, “Can I use bleach to clean it up?”
Bleach, commonly known as Clorox, can be found in households across the U.S. And before we dive in too deep, we want to assure you that we also use bleach in our home! But not when we’re on the job cleaning and disinfecting biohazards. Here are three reasons why.
After only a few months of sitting on the shelf at your local grocery store or in your home (or both) the potency of bleach declines and continues to decline over time. As potency decreases, bleach takes longer to kill bacteria and viruses, meaning you might have to let bleach sit on a contaminated surface for a few minutes or longer to disinfect.
The only way to determine potency levels is to test the chemical every few months. Our home doesn’t have the tools for this test, and - like most households - we “guestimate” an appropriate time needed for disinfection. But when it comes to biohazards, especially some of the nastier bacteria or viruses, a guess or estimate doesn’t cut it.
This is why Bio-One uses a proprietary tuberculocide. This chemical has a long shelf-life, and works quickly and reliably to kill many pathogens, including MRSA, C-diff, and HIV, that may be in blood, vomit, fecal matter, urine, gross filth, or other bodily fluids.
Large spaces – whether public or private – such as stairwells, spacious rooms, apartments, stores and offices, need to be ready for use as soon as our work is complete. Furthermore, after a traumatic event or during an overwhelming situation, it’s critical that we use chemicals that don’t result in another problem such as eye, throat or skin irritations. This may be difficult to accomplish with bleach.
Easily identified by the smell, bleach mist or vapors can be extremely irritating. The Clorox Company’s Safety Data Sheet on bleach states, “While not expected, heart conditions or chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or obstructive lung disease may be aggravated by exposure to high concentrations of vapor or mist.”
In an effort to reduce harm, chemicals used by Bio-One pack a punch for blood pathogens without compromising heath from lasting irritating vapors and mist.
That’s right! While powerful on ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum, bleach is not suitable for porous surfaces such as marble and hardwood floors. Biohazard scenes are unpredictable, and Bio-One’s tuberculocide is key as it disinfects porous and non-porous surfaces.
All this being said, we genuinely hope you never encounter a biohazard situation. But if you do, don’t reach for the bleach. Call Bio-One so we can safely and quickly help.
