John Schneider • jschneid@lsj.com • April 27,
2010
LANSING - At about 7:30 p.m. Monday all hell broke
loose in front of John Pemberton's house, at the
corner of Willard Avenue and Grant Street, in south
Lansing.
Police cars swooped in with their lights blazing, an
ambulance showed up ... Pemberton didn't know
whether to go outside for a peek, or hide under his
bed. Ultimately he ventured out just as some
Lansing Police officers had a man pinned to the
ground near the door of Pemberton's garage.
The man, Pemberton said, was "bleeding profusely."
Once the situation was under control, the officers
escorted the man from the scene. They put their
rubber gloves and other trash in a bag, but left two
pools of blood on Pemberton's driveway.
When Pemberton asked the officers about the blood,
they asked to use his garden hose, but it wasn't
long enough. The officers left. The blood remained
on Pemberton's driveway, and had dried by this
morning.
Refusing to accept the implication that the cleanup
was his responsibility - and nervous about dealing
with what he called a "biohazard" - Pemberton
personally visited LPD's South Precinct. According
to Pemberton, a woman there told him, "If it were my
property, I would be out there with a brush."
I phoned LPD - not necessarily because I thought
Pemberton had suffered an injustice, but simply
because I was curious about the proper protocol.
After checking into the situation LPD spokesman
Noel Garcia said a crew from Bio Clean Services -
the company LPD uses for such chores - would be
sent out to do the job.
But then I began to wonder if that was overkill.
Should Pemberton have done taxpayers a favor by
simply drawing a bucket of hot soapy water, and
doing the deed?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, August 7, 2009
Medical Waste Found in River
A discovery in a local river has officials on high alert. This week river cleanup volunteers found a large bag full of medical waste floating in the Shiawassee River. It happened just off M-21 in downtown Owosso. Officials say the public could be at risk. It's where children play and ducks swim, but the Shiawassee River has become home to something else.
George Pichette, Shiawassee County Health Department: "Needles, sharps, razors, things that would be used in medical facilities to treat patients."
George Pichette is the Public Health Director for Shiawassee County. He says, earlier this week, volunteers were getting ready for a river cleanup when they spotted a garbage bag of medical waste in the river. They called the health department and Owosso public safety, who are trying to find out who put the bag in the water.
George Pichette: "The other concern is there any more of them."
This isn't the first time medical waste has made its way into the waters of the Shiawassee River. Two years back, about 90 bags full of syringes and needles were found scattered throughout the river. Pichette says, while investigators search for answers, the public must proceed with caution.
George Pichette: "These things were used to treat patients whose health status we do not know. They potentially have one form of disease or another."
Which makes the murky waters even more risky. Officials say the Shiawassee River has never been safe to swim in, and this latest incident means it may not be safe for any form of contact. If you are going to be around the river, health officials advise you to wear shoes at all times.
The Department of Environmental Quality was not available for comment on this weeks' discovery, but they did solve the case from two years ago. In February the DEQ announced a nursing home in Livingston County was to blame for all the medical waste found in the river in 2007. Investigators say they don't know if the Howell Care Center physically dumped the items, but they do know it was negligent in how it disposed of the waste. The care center paid a fine and is being closely monitored by the state.
George Pichette, Shiawassee County Health Department: "Needles, sharps, razors, things that would be used in medical facilities to treat patients."
George Pichette is the Public Health Director for Shiawassee County. He says, earlier this week, volunteers were getting ready for a river cleanup when they spotted a garbage bag of medical waste in the river. They called the health department and Owosso public safety, who are trying to find out who put the bag in the water.
George Pichette: "The other concern is there any more of them."
This isn't the first time medical waste has made its way into the waters of the Shiawassee River. Two years back, about 90 bags full of syringes and needles were found scattered throughout the river. Pichette says, while investigators search for answers, the public must proceed with caution.
George Pichette: "These things were used to treat patients whose health status we do not know. They potentially have one form of disease or another."
Which makes the murky waters even more risky. Officials say the Shiawassee River has never been safe to swim in, and this latest incident means it may not be safe for any form of contact. If you are going to be around the river, health officials advise you to wear shoes at all times.
The Department of Environmental Quality was not available for comment on this weeks' discovery, but they did solve the case from two years ago. In February the DEQ announced a nursing home in Livingston County was to blame for all the medical waste found in the river in 2007. Investigators say they don't know if the Howell Care Center physically dumped the items, but they do know it was negligent in how it disposed of the waste. The care center paid a fine and is being closely monitored by the state.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Why you need crime scene cleanup services
By Alex Thomson
Crime scene cleanup or trauma scene cleanup after the death of someone either violently or naturally is by and large the responsibility of the victim’s family. Even till few years ago, there were a handful of cleaning companies that specialized in trauma cleaning service. But today this niche service has emerged as a lucrative business and there are many companies who provide this service.
Trauma cleaning service requires special experience, skills, equipment and expertise to deal with different types of bio-hazardous waste and dispose them efficiently with the minimum possible emotional stress to the victim’s family.
The most traumatic form of death is violent death and leaves the victim’s family feeling both victimized and traumatized. Coming to terms with the unnatural death of a loved one is in itself an uphill task for the bereaved family, and to top it they have to deal with other practical matters like making funeral arrangements, dealing with insurance issues, contacting surviving family and friends and locating wills. Furthermore, in case of violent crimes the police and the media are also involved. This can really overwhelm any family. Here is where trauma cleaning service comes to your rescue. They lighten one of the heaviest burdens, that is of dealing with the horrid murder cleanup. They will take care of the crime scene cleanup, ensuring that the scene is restored to its pre-incidental state as far as possible and in the most quick and efficient manner thus allowing you to deal with other important matters. Most service providers work discreetly and protect the confidentiality of the sufferer and family.
Most of the times, the crime scenes are so ghastly that they can induce additional emotional trauma in victim’s friends and family. By hiring professionals for cleanup, you can reduce this emotional stress. Immediately after death the nature begins its process of breaking down the body. Unattended death scene and dead bodies can be dangerous as it gives rise to blood borne pathogens, mold spores and bacteria. You may try to clean the area by yourself but the exposure may result in flu-like diseases or direct attack on the respiratory system. So it is advisable to leave this job to professionals who specialize in bio fluid and blood remediation.
The total cost involving a trauma scene cleanup will depend on a number of factors. One of the most major factors is that how many technicians will be needed for the job, how long will the job take and the quantity of hazardous material that needs to be treated and disposed of. It can range anywhere in the range of $100 to $1000 per hour. Some people might call this business as capitalizing on death but it is still essential and indispensable in case of a death.
Crime scene cleanup or trauma scene cleanup after the death of someone either violently or naturally is by and large the responsibility of the victim’s family. Even till few years ago, there were a handful of cleaning companies that specialized in trauma cleaning service. But today this niche service has emerged as a lucrative business and there are many companies who provide this service.
Trauma cleaning service requires special experience, skills, equipment and expertise to deal with different types of bio-hazardous waste and dispose them efficiently with the minimum possible emotional stress to the victim’s family.
The most traumatic form of death is violent death and leaves the victim’s family feeling both victimized and traumatized. Coming to terms with the unnatural death of a loved one is in itself an uphill task for the bereaved family, and to top it they have to deal with other practical matters like making funeral arrangements, dealing with insurance issues, contacting surviving family and friends and locating wills. Furthermore, in case of violent crimes the police and the media are also involved. This can really overwhelm any family. Here is where trauma cleaning service comes to your rescue. They lighten one of the heaviest burdens, that is of dealing with the horrid murder cleanup. They will take care of the crime scene cleanup, ensuring that the scene is restored to its pre-incidental state as far as possible and in the most quick and efficient manner thus allowing you to deal with other important matters. Most service providers work discreetly and protect the confidentiality of the sufferer and family.
Most of the times, the crime scenes are so ghastly that they can induce additional emotional trauma in victim’s friends and family. By hiring professionals for cleanup, you can reduce this emotional stress. Immediately after death the nature begins its process of breaking down the body. Unattended death scene and dead bodies can be dangerous as it gives rise to blood borne pathogens, mold spores and bacteria. You may try to clean the area by yourself but the exposure may result in flu-like diseases or direct attack on the respiratory system. So it is advisable to leave this job to professionals who specialize in bio fluid and blood remediation.
The total cost involving a trauma scene cleanup will depend on a number of factors. One of the most major factors is that how many technicians will be needed for the job, how long will the job take and the quantity of hazardous material that needs to be treated and disposed of. It can range anywhere in the range of $100 to $1000 per hour. Some people might call this business as capitalizing on death but it is still essential and indispensable in case of a death.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves
A crime scene cleanup service is not without its complications. Crime scene cleaning encompasses restoring the crime scene to its original state. When a crime is usually discovered, crime scene cleaners are not called until after officers of the law, like the crime scene investigators, have done their jobs first and have given the go ahead for the cleaners to come in. If you intend to hire a crime scene cleanup company, you must make sure that they are well equipped and fit right to get the job done. A crime scene presents challenging conditions.
The Use Of Protective Gears:
Crime scenes can very well involve the use of hazardous or deadly substances. For safety reasons then, it has become imperative that crime scene cleaners use protective clothing, in addition to protective tools and gadgets. You must see to it that they have all the necessary protective gears and gadgets. The protective clothing can consist of disposable gloves and suits. A disposable gear is preferred nowadays since it offers the best protection against contamination. You use it one time and get rid of it. That way, the dangers of contamination is virtually brought down to zero percent. Protective clothing extends to respirators and the use of heavy-duty industrial or chemical-spill protective boots.
Among the gadgets that a crime scene cleaning company must have are special brushes, special sprayers, and wet vacuum. These special tools ensure added protection against getting into contact with the hazard could very well be present in the crime scene. There is large, special equipment such as a mounted steam injection tool that is designed to sanitize dried up biohazard materials such as scattered flesh and brain. You would also need to check if they have the specialized tank for chemical treatments and industrial strength waste containers to collect biohazard waste.
Of course, any crime scene clean up must have the usual cleaning supplies common to all cleaning service companies. There are the buckets, mops, brushes and spray bottles. For cleaning products, you should check if they use industrial cleaning products. A crime scene cleaning company must have these on their lists:
1 - Disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide and bleaches - The kinds that the hospitals used are commonly acceptable.
2 - Enzyme solvers for cleaning blood stains. It also kills viruses and bacteria.
3 - Odor removers such as foggers, ozone machines, and deodorizers
4 - Handy tools for breaking and extending such as saws, sledgehammers, and ladders
Established crime scene operators also equip themselves with cameras and take pictures of the crime scene before commencing work which. The pictures taken may prove useful for legal matters and insurance purposes. You never know which.
Needless to say, a specially fitted form of transportation and proper waste disposal is also needed. These requirements are specific. As you can imagine, crime scene cleaning is in a different category on its own. A home cleaning or janitorial service company may not be able to cope up with the demands of a crime scene. A crime scene cleanup service requires many special gears and tools that a home cleaning or a janitorial service company does not usually have or does not require. Crime scene cleaning if not done correctly can expose the public to untold hazards.
What Else To Look For In A Crime Scene Cleanup Company
You may also want to hire a company that has established itself. An experienced company with a strong reputation is always a plus but it could be expensive too. You will do well to balance your needs with what is your budget. There are several companies that offer specific prices such as for death scene clean up categories and suicide clean up categories. Most companies own a website and have round the clock customer service as receptionists.
When looking for a suitable crime scene cleaning service, among the first things you need to do is to scout for price quotes. Crime scene cleanup services usually provide quote after they have examined the crime scene and then they give you a definite quote. Factors that are usually considered include the number of personnel that will be needed to get the job done. It also includes the amount of time that might be needed. The nature and amount of the waste materials that need to be disposed will also be factored in. You can be sure that the more sophisticated equipments needed the more expensive it will get.
Crime Scene Cleanup And Your Insurance
For homeowners, the best approach is always to make sure that crime scene cleanup services clauses and provisions are written down on the contracts or policies. The inclusion of crime cleanup services clauses is very common and has become standard clause in most homeowner’s policy. Make sure that you are covered for this unforeseen event. Make sure that your policy directs the crime scene cleaning company to transact directly with the homeowner insurance company. A crime scene cleaning service is usually a standard clause in many homeowners’ insurance clause. These companies often do the paperwork in behalf of clients.
If for some reason you do not have such coverage by any policies relating to crime scene cleanup on your home, there are ways to keep your expenses controlled.
Finding the right company can be very taxing, especially that you have to deal with the emotional stress stemming from the crime itself, especially with a crime scene involving death.
There are many crime scene cleanup companies in operation nowadays. There are reliable professionals that you can hire and prices are relatively competitive. As of recently, crime-scene cleanup services can cost up to $600 for an hour of their service. A homicide case alone involving a single room and a huge amount of blood can cost about $1,000 to $3,000.
In recent years, crime scene cleaning has come to be known as, "Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination or CTS. Basically, CTS is a special form of crime scene cleaning focusing on decontamination of the crime scene from hazardous substances such as those resulting from violent crimes or those involving chemical contaminations such as methamphetamine labs or anthrax production. This type of service is particularly common when violent crimes are committed in a home. It is rare that the residents move out of the home after it has become a scene of a crime. Most often, the residents just opt to have it cleaned up. That is why, it is very important to hire the best crime scene cleaning company out there. The place needs to be totally free from contamination of any kind. You have to make sure that the company is able to remove all traces of the violent crime that took place. This includes cleaning biohazards that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye.
Legally speaking, federal laws state that all bodily fluids are deemed biohazards and you should make sure that the cleanup service company you hire understands this and includes it in the cleanup. These things appear as blood or tissue splattered on a crime scene. You must be able to hire a company that is equipped with special knowledge to safely handle biohazard materials. The company must have the knowledge what to search for in any give biohazard crime scene. For instance, the company should be able to tell clues such that if there is a bloodstain the size of a thumbnail on a carpet, you can bet that there is about a huge bloodstain underneath. Federal and State laws have their own laws in terms of transport and disposal of biohazard waste. Make sure that the company you hire has all the permits necessary.
It will also be a huge plus if you could hire people who not only has the special trainings but also who have the nature to be sympathetic. If you are close to the victim and have the cleaning done at the behest of the victim’s relatives, it would matter that the cleaners tread the site with some level of respect. It is a common site that family members and loved ones are often there at scene. In general, when looking for a suitable crime scene cleaners, you would take into considerations the kind of situation that the crimes scene presents and the demands that it require. Crime scene cleaning companies handle a wide variety of crime scenes and prices may vary from one to the other crime scene and one to the other company.
Each type of scene requires its own particular demands not only to make the crime scene look clean and neat on the surface but to make it germ free, and clean inside and to make it free from all deadly and infectious substances. The cleanup cost for biohazards may vary depending on degree of the bio hazard(s) on the scene. There may even be a category that changes the cleanup pricing which usually involves decomposing bodies and carcasses. Likewise, a cleanup of chemical hazards vary, depending on the amount of chemical hazards as well as the grades i.e. how hazardous the substance is in terms of human contact. Prices are also determined by the number of hours and personnel that it would to get the crime scene cleaned. In addition, the "gross factor" from crime scene involving death and gore needs to be taken under consideration regarding the chemicals that will be used as opposed to those crimes' that do not have gore involved.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Traumatic Grief
By Nancy Crump
Since the late 1980’s, we have seen an increase in interest and research on the effects of trauma on the grief process. We have learned that the grief process from the sudden, unexpected, and often violent deaths of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, natural disasters, and other types of deaths, is very different from the grief process of those who have died from natural causes, old age, or long-termed illness. Many, if not all, of the deaths faced by Bio Technicians fall into the category of traumatic. Those family members who hire you have usually been touched by the trauma of the death. Understanding the traumatic grief process and its differences from other types of grief may be of some help to you as you deal with these family members.
There are several key elements that make the responses by family members to a traumatic death difficult. First is the suddenness of the death. Family members usually did not have time to prepare themselves for the death and to make the psychological adjustments to cope with the news of the death. Also, the suddenness of the death does not give the family an opportunity to say goodbye to the victim before their death. Second, the violence of the death may leave the family with horrific memories and nightmares that often interfere with the grief process. Third, many of these types of deaths require police intervention and the family is often not given the support, information, and compassion they need at the time. Another element can be the presence of the media at the time of the death, as well as weeks and months later if legal issues follow the death. Most traumatic deaths involve young people who’s parents, grandparents, and siblings may still live. Certainly, the death of a child or young person is very difficult to cope with.
Reactions to a traumatic death can be very different, more intense, and longer lasting than other types of death. The emotions following a traumatic death are often conflicting and intense. There is a tendency to relive the death event over and over in an attempt to make it real. Intrusive thoughts and nightmares are very common. Intense physical responses such as inability to eat or sleep, stomach aches and headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and a decrease in the autoimmune system are also common. Many times, the survivors must deal with intense feelings of guilt or remorse, feeling that they were somehow responsible or could have prevented the death “if only”. Family members have the need to tell the story of the death over and over again in an attempt to gain a sense of the reality of the death. They often have an overwhelming need to learn all they can about the circumstances of the death - how the person died, whether they were in pain, did they know they were dying, what were their last words, who saw what happened, and in cases of homicide, who committed the murder. All of these reactions are ways the survivors use to grasp the reality of the death and to begin the grief process.
As Bio Technicians, you are often called by family members or meet them upon arrival to the scene. Understanding some of the dynamics of trauma on the grief process may help as you help the family. Understanding the “normalcy” of the reactions you may see can help you feel more competent and assured to speak with family members without wondering whether or not you are saying the “right” thing. Some suggestions are listed below, but the most important thing is to convey sincerity and compassion to the family. They are very vulnerable and sensitive to words, expressions, and body language. Just make sure that what you say and do is congruent with how you feel or you will come across as insincere and uncaring.
Soon after a traumatic death, most survivors simply need to tell the story to anyone who will listen. It is important for their recovery to be able to do this. If you have time to listen, do so. They are not necessarily looking for any input from you; they just need someone to listen.
Remember that there are two basic rules for grieving people – you don’t hurt yourself or someone else. If, during the conversation, you hear comments that indicate the person is thinking of either, you might suggest they go talk to someone else before making a decision to do something like this. Create a list of counselors, therapists, or mental health centers to hand out at times like these. Take comments about thoughts of suicide seriously and offer to call a friend or family member to be with the person and get them help. Suicide rates often increase after a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. These are very difficult situations for you as a caregiver, but you need to set limits as to what you can and cannot do. Listening and having resources available are all you need. The survivor needs to take some responsibility for them, and others who are better trained to handle these situations need to be contacted.
Although many reactions may look and feel “crazy”, most are normal reactions to the situation. Again, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or someone else, they are probably reacting normally to an abnormal situation. Helping normalize these reactions is very helpful to the survivor. Encouraging the survivor to talk and to express what they are experiencing is also helpful. Making a simple statement such as, “I think I’d feel the same way if this happened to me”, helps the survivor feel less out of control.
There are many support groups available to survivors that would make a good resource for them. Creating a list of those in your community or in nearby communities is a great gift for survivors. They may not want to attend a support group, but usually someone from the group is always willing to talk to them by telephone or offer assistance.
In the work you do, you may find yourself in situations of dealing with survivors who have needs you do not feel comfortable or competent in dealing with. That’s okay as it is not your responsibility to be all things to all people. However, there are these simple steps you can take to help your families in a meaningful way. You can listen. You can refer. You can offer resources. Having some general knowledge of the traumatic grief process may make you feel more competent in dealing with your families and knowing that you are being supportive and helpful in a meaningful way.
Below are some national organizations that offer support groups in almost every locality. They are specific to either the type of death or the relationship to the person who died and are more appropriate to traumatic deaths. They all have web sites or central telephone numbers that can be contacted for local information.
The Compassionate Friends – for parents’ whose child has died of any cause.
MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers offer support for parents who a drunk driver killed child
Widowed Persons Service – sponsored by AARP for spousal death
SOS – Survivors of Suicide support groups
POMC – Parents of Murdered Children and other victims of homicide.
These and many other groups may be listed at your county’s Victim Assistance Office usually located in the office of the District Attorney. Also, check with your local hospices or hospitals. They offer support groups that are open to the public. Some local churches may also host support groups. As you create your list, don’t try to keep up with the dates and times of group meetings as they change frequently. All you need is the name of the group, a telephone number, and possibly a contact person. Leave it to the survivors to take the responsibility to make the calls on their own behalf.
Since the late 1980’s, we have seen an increase in interest and research on the effects of trauma on the grief process. We have learned that the grief process from the sudden, unexpected, and often violent deaths of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, natural disasters, and other types of deaths, is very different from the grief process of those who have died from natural causes, old age, or long-termed illness. Many, if not all, of the deaths faced by Bio Technicians fall into the category of traumatic. Those family members who hire you have usually been touched by the trauma of the death. Understanding the traumatic grief process and its differences from other types of grief may be of some help to you as you deal with these family members.
There are several key elements that make the responses by family members to a traumatic death difficult. First is the suddenness of the death. Family members usually did not have time to prepare themselves for the death and to make the psychological adjustments to cope with the news of the death. Also, the suddenness of the death does not give the family an opportunity to say goodbye to the victim before their death. Second, the violence of the death may leave the family with horrific memories and nightmares that often interfere with the grief process. Third, many of these types of deaths require police intervention and the family is often not given the support, information, and compassion they need at the time. Another element can be the presence of the media at the time of the death, as well as weeks and months later if legal issues follow the death. Most traumatic deaths involve young people who’s parents, grandparents, and siblings may still live. Certainly, the death of a child or young person is very difficult to cope with.
Reactions to a traumatic death can be very different, more intense, and longer lasting than other types of death. The emotions following a traumatic death are often conflicting and intense. There is a tendency to relive the death event over and over in an attempt to make it real. Intrusive thoughts and nightmares are very common. Intense physical responses such as inability to eat or sleep, stomach aches and headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and a decrease in the autoimmune system are also common. Many times, the survivors must deal with intense feelings of guilt or remorse, feeling that they were somehow responsible or could have prevented the death “if only”. Family members have the need to tell the story of the death over and over again in an attempt to gain a sense of the reality of the death. They often have an overwhelming need to learn all they can about the circumstances of the death - how the person died, whether they were in pain, did they know they were dying, what were their last words, who saw what happened, and in cases of homicide, who committed the murder. All of these reactions are ways the survivors use to grasp the reality of the death and to begin the grief process.
As Bio Technicians, you are often called by family members or meet them upon arrival to the scene. Understanding some of the dynamics of trauma on the grief process may help as you help the family. Understanding the “normalcy” of the reactions you may see can help you feel more competent and assured to speak with family members without wondering whether or not you are saying the “right” thing. Some suggestions are listed below, but the most important thing is to convey sincerity and compassion to the family. They are very vulnerable and sensitive to words, expressions, and body language. Just make sure that what you say and do is congruent with how you feel or you will come across as insincere and uncaring.
Soon after a traumatic death, most survivors simply need to tell the story to anyone who will listen. It is important for their recovery to be able to do this. If you have time to listen, do so. They are not necessarily looking for any input from you; they just need someone to listen.
Remember that there are two basic rules for grieving people – you don’t hurt yourself or someone else. If, during the conversation, you hear comments that indicate the person is thinking of either, you might suggest they go talk to someone else before making a decision to do something like this. Create a list of counselors, therapists, or mental health centers to hand out at times like these. Take comments about thoughts of suicide seriously and offer to call a friend or family member to be with the person and get them help. Suicide rates often increase after a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. These are very difficult situations for you as a caregiver, but you need to set limits as to what you can and cannot do. Listening and having resources available are all you need. The survivor needs to take some responsibility for them, and others who are better trained to handle these situations need to be contacted.
Although many reactions may look and feel “crazy”, most are normal reactions to the situation. Again, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or someone else, they are probably reacting normally to an abnormal situation. Helping normalize these reactions is very helpful to the survivor. Encouraging the survivor to talk and to express what they are experiencing is also helpful. Making a simple statement such as, “I think I’d feel the same way if this happened to me”, helps the survivor feel less out of control.
There are many support groups available to survivors that would make a good resource for them. Creating a list of those in your community or in nearby communities is a great gift for survivors. They may not want to attend a support group, but usually someone from the group is always willing to talk to them by telephone or offer assistance.
In the work you do, you may find yourself in situations of dealing with survivors who have needs you do not feel comfortable or competent in dealing with. That’s okay as it is not your responsibility to be all things to all people. However, there are these simple steps you can take to help your families in a meaningful way. You can listen. You can refer. You can offer resources. Having some general knowledge of the traumatic grief process may make you feel more competent in dealing with your families and knowing that you are being supportive and helpful in a meaningful way.
Below are some national organizations that offer support groups in almost every locality. They are specific to either the type of death or the relationship to the person who died and are more appropriate to traumatic deaths. They all have web sites or central telephone numbers that can be contacted for local information.
The Compassionate Friends – for parents’ whose child has died of any cause.
MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers offer support for parents who a drunk driver killed child
Widowed Persons Service – sponsored by AARP for spousal death
SOS – Survivors of Suicide support groups
POMC – Parents of Murdered Children and other victims of homicide.
These and many other groups may be listed at your county’s Victim Assistance Office usually located in the office of the District Attorney. Also, check with your local hospices or hospitals. They offer support groups that are open to the public. Some local churches may also host support groups. As you create your list, don’t try to keep up with the dates and times of group meetings as they change frequently. All you need is the name of the group, a telephone number, and possibly a contact person. Leave it to the survivors to take the responsibility to make the calls on their own behalf.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Controlling Indoor Allergens
By Dr. Harriet Burge, EMLab P&K Chief Aerobiologist and Director of Scientific Advisory Board
"Indoor allergens" is a term coined by allergists to include allergens produced by dust mite, cockroach, mouse, rat, pet dander and mold (Diette et al. 2008). It is a useful term because exposure to most of these allergens occurs indoors. While mold fungi clearly can grow indoors, most exposure occurs outdoors, so they will not be included here.
There are two general approaches to the control of indoor allergens. One can attempt to control the sources (e.g., the dust mites, cats, cockroaches, etc.), or one can attempt to remove the allergens (e.g., the actual proteins that cause sensitization). Which of these two methods is preferred depends on the allergen source.
It is also important to note that the development of allergies is a complex process involving genetics and the environment. While environmental control can reduce symptoms in allergic individuals, there is conflicting evidence as to whether or not environmental control reduces the risk of developing allergies in susceptible individuals (Bush 2008).
Dust Mites
The study of indoor allergens began when the dust mite allergen was discovered. Before that time, patients with indoor symptoms were skin tested with extracts of house dust, usually from some standard source other than their own environment. Those that tested positive were considered "house dust" sensitive. Patients with house dust sensitivity were given a regimen to render their home "dust free." This included:
Remove all carpeting.
Use only washable drapes and comforters.
Minimize the use of upholstered furniture.
Remove all dust catchers (knick knacks, books, etc.).
Vacuum regularly with the sensitive person not doing the vacuuming.
The allergen control procedures described above are still advised today. However, a group of Dutch researchers, after long and persistent effort, identified the house dust mite as the source for house dust allergens (Dieges 2004). With that discovery, there was a specific target for remediation efforts and the study of the house dust mite intensified. Research revealed that the dust mite did not drink water, but absorbed it from the air (Arlian & Morgan 2003). The dust mite needed a place to live where both humidity and temperature remained high. Bedding turned out to be the ideal "nest" for these organisms.
Figure 1: Magnified photograph of a house dust mite.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The requirement for high humidity indicated that lowering humidity could possibly control dust mite populations. Also, using barriers to prevent entry of dust mites into bedding could possibly prevent exposure. A number of studies confirmed both of these hypotheses and also the fact that washing bedding in hot water would kill dust mites and remove the allergen. Thus the industry of mattress and pillow encasings developed, and allergy sufferers returned to the hot water cycle of their washing machines. Lowering humidity was a more difficult problem. In occupied beds the humidity is inevitably high due to respiration (which yields CO2 and H20). Fortunately, the encasings and hot water washes were generally sufficient to control populations. The fact remains that the dust mites can also "nest" in carpeting and upholstered furniture providing the humidity is high. In the very humid parts of the world the only practical solution is to follow the early advice to remove carpets and upholstered furniture. If humidity is only high part of the year (as in the Northeastern U.S.), rugs can be used in the winter and stored in the summer. Our great grandparents did this and so can we. In very dry climates dust mites are much less of a problem and avoiding the addition of water to interior spaces will generally control their populations.
Chemical treatments have been studied for the reduction of dust mite allergens in carpeting. Benzyl Benzoate, 3% tannic acid spray and two carpet cleaners successfully reduced dust mite allergen concentrations in carpeting for approximately 2 weeks. Treatments were not effective for cat allergen. Other types of chemical treatment have not been sufficiently tested to warrant recommendation. Washing bedding in hot water continues to be recommended for control of dust mite allergen, although controlled trials have not been done to evaluate efficacy at preventing symptoms.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches were first linked to allergic disease in 1964 by Bernton and Brown. Of the 43% of the U.S. population that is allergic to at least one common indoor allergen, 26% are sensitive to German cockroaches (Blattella germanica). Allergens from the German cockroach and the American cockroach (Periplanata americana) have been isolated and are officially recognized.
The German cockroach colonizes the built environment, especially where food is prepared. German cockroach infestation is most common in the Northeastern U.S. The American cockroach generally lives outdoors or in sewers, but can also be found as the dominant indoor roach in tropical regions. Cockroaches have long been thought to carry infectious diseases, and some pathogens can be found on their bodies. However, there are no documented cases of any infection directly transferred from cockroaches to people.
Figure 2: Cockroach species that commonly inhabit human dwellings include the following: German cockroach (Blattella germanica); American cockroach (Periplaneta americana); Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis); brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa); Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae); smoky-brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa); and brown cockroach (Periplaneta brunnea).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Exposure to cockroach allergens clearly leads to both sensitization and symptoms of asthma (Chew et al. 2008). Guidelines for exposure leading to sensitization, (2-4 Units Bla g 1 per gram of vacuumed, sieved house dust), and symptoms, (8 Units Bla g 1 per gram), have been suggested.
As for other indoor allergens, two approaches to exposure reduction may be employed. Cockroach populations can be suppressed, and the allergens may be removed by cleaning. Studies show that without cockroach suppression, cleaning is not an effective means for significantly reducing allergen loads. However, pest control alone can be effective. Studies evaluating the efficacy of commercial pest management were disappointing (Sever et al. 2007). However, research entomologists were able to achieve significant population reductions. The steps they used are as follows:
18 cockroach traps placed throughout the home for 1 week.
Bait applications applied with amounts depending on number of cockroaches at each trap site.
Bait used: 2.15% Hydramethylnon (Maxforce Roach Killer Gel Bait; Bayer Environmental Science, Research Triangle Park, NC).
Baits placed: months 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 in areas where traps had cockroaches.
New traps placed at each visit.
So, to put this into practical terms: Each home must be entered first to place traps, then a week later to place bait. Traps are placed where cockroaches are most likely to be. Bait is applied wherever there are cockroaches in the traps. Each time new bait is applied, new traps are laid. This process is continued approximately monthly until no more cockroaches appear in the traps.
Rodent Pests
Rodent infestation is common. More than 50% of randomly selected U.S. homes had detectable mouse allergen (Cohn et al. 2004) and prevalence was even higher in the inner city, especially in detached homes (Berg et al. 2007). Asthma is an epidemic in the inner city, and sensitization to rodent allergens is a risk factor for having asthma (Donahue et al. 2008). Rodent allergens are also common in classrooms.
Integrated pest management is required to reduce infestations with rodents. This includes application of pesticides, plugging access to the indoors, and preventing access to any food. The latter includes storing dry foodstuffs in sealed metal containers. Thorough, vigorous, and frequent cleaning to remove residual allergens must follow pest management. Even with intensive management and cleaning, rodent allergen was shown to only fall by about 42% in one study (Eggleston 2005).
Figure 3: Mouse and rodent allergens are common in houses and classrooms.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Cats
Cat allergen is a conundrum. Individuals do become sensitive to cat allergen, and develop asthma as a result. However, in epidemiological studies, concentrations of cat allergen are correlated with a decreased risk of asthma (Takkouche et al. 2008).
Cat allergen cannot be completely removed. A cleaning protocol that included vacuuming, dry mopping, then wet mopping and shaking pillows and small rugs outdoors reduced dust levels and, to a small extent, cat allergen concentrations (Adgate et al. 2008). The type of carpet apparently does not affect the ease of removing cat allergen, but allergen can be removed more easily from new rather than from old carpets (Causer et al. 2008). High efficiency filtration in a central forced air system was found to remove up to 55% of airborne cat allergen.
Removal of the pet cat will eventually lead to allergen reduction after 4-6 months. Thorough cleaning and dust removal will speed this along. Room air cleaning is not an efficient method for removing exposure (Diette et al. 2008), nor is washing the pet or isolating the pet from the bedroom (Eggleston 2005).
Dogs
Sensitization to dog allergen is strongly associated with asthma (Korppi et al. 2008). As with cat allergies, early exposure to dogs may lessen the risk of sensitization and subsequent asthma development. However, this effect, while seen in univariate analyses, disappears when multivariate techniques are used.
Removal of dog allergen is similar to that described for cat allergen. Dogs can survive as primarily outdoor animals, whereas the average life span for an outdoor cat is only about 2 years.
Other Indoor Allergen Sources
Almost any animal, fungus or plant can release allergens into the indoor environment. In order to decide on a remediation protocol, the nature of the source and the dynamics of allergen dispersal need to be considered. For mammals, allergen is generally contained in skin secretions, saliva, and/or urine. For arthropods, feces and eggs may contain the allergen, or secretions may be at fault. For many plants, the majority of allergens are contained in pollen. In each of these cases, exposure prevention involves removing the source, or somehow blocking the pathway of the allergen. In domestic environments, removal of sources is by far the best approach to reducing allergen exposure.
References:
"Indoor allergens" is a term coined by allergists to include allergens produced by dust mite, cockroach, mouse, rat, pet dander and mold (Diette et al. 2008). It is a useful term because exposure to most of these allergens occurs indoors. While mold fungi clearly can grow indoors, most exposure occurs outdoors, so they will not be included here.
There are two general approaches to the control of indoor allergens. One can attempt to control the sources (e.g., the dust mites, cats, cockroaches, etc.), or one can attempt to remove the allergens (e.g., the actual proteins that cause sensitization). Which of these two methods is preferred depends on the allergen source.
It is also important to note that the development of allergies is a complex process involving genetics and the environment. While environmental control can reduce symptoms in allergic individuals, there is conflicting evidence as to whether or not environmental control reduces the risk of developing allergies in susceptible individuals (Bush 2008).
Dust Mites
The study of indoor allergens began when the dust mite allergen was discovered. Before that time, patients with indoor symptoms were skin tested with extracts of house dust, usually from some standard source other than their own environment. Those that tested positive were considered "house dust" sensitive. Patients with house dust sensitivity were given a regimen to render their home "dust free." This included:
Remove all carpeting.
Use only washable drapes and comforters.
Minimize the use of upholstered furniture.
Remove all dust catchers (knick knacks, books, etc.).
Vacuum regularly with the sensitive person not doing the vacuuming.
The allergen control procedures described above are still advised today. However, a group of Dutch researchers, after long and persistent effort, identified the house dust mite as the source for house dust allergens (Dieges 2004). With that discovery, there was a specific target for remediation efforts and the study of the house dust mite intensified. Research revealed that the dust mite did not drink water, but absorbed it from the air (Arlian & Morgan 2003). The dust mite needed a place to live where both humidity and temperature remained high. Bedding turned out to be the ideal "nest" for these organisms.
Figure 1: Magnified photograph of a house dust mite.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The requirement for high humidity indicated that lowering humidity could possibly control dust mite populations. Also, using barriers to prevent entry of dust mites into bedding could possibly prevent exposure. A number of studies confirmed both of these hypotheses and also the fact that washing bedding in hot water would kill dust mites and remove the allergen. Thus the industry of mattress and pillow encasings developed, and allergy sufferers returned to the hot water cycle of their washing machines. Lowering humidity was a more difficult problem. In occupied beds the humidity is inevitably high due to respiration (which yields CO2 and H20). Fortunately, the encasings and hot water washes were generally sufficient to control populations. The fact remains that the dust mites can also "nest" in carpeting and upholstered furniture providing the humidity is high. In the very humid parts of the world the only practical solution is to follow the early advice to remove carpets and upholstered furniture. If humidity is only high part of the year (as in the Northeastern U.S.), rugs can be used in the winter and stored in the summer. Our great grandparents did this and so can we. In very dry climates dust mites are much less of a problem and avoiding the addition of water to interior spaces will generally control their populations.
Chemical treatments have been studied for the reduction of dust mite allergens in carpeting. Benzyl Benzoate, 3% tannic acid spray and two carpet cleaners successfully reduced dust mite allergen concentrations in carpeting for approximately 2 weeks. Treatments were not effective for cat allergen. Other types of chemical treatment have not been sufficiently tested to warrant recommendation. Washing bedding in hot water continues to be recommended for control of dust mite allergen, although controlled trials have not been done to evaluate efficacy at preventing symptoms.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches were first linked to allergic disease in 1964 by Bernton and Brown. Of the 43% of the U.S. population that is allergic to at least one common indoor allergen, 26% are sensitive to German cockroaches (Blattella germanica). Allergens from the German cockroach and the American cockroach (Periplanata americana) have been isolated and are officially recognized.
The German cockroach colonizes the built environment, especially where food is prepared. German cockroach infestation is most common in the Northeastern U.S. The American cockroach generally lives outdoors or in sewers, but can also be found as the dominant indoor roach in tropical regions. Cockroaches have long been thought to carry infectious diseases, and some pathogens can be found on their bodies. However, there are no documented cases of any infection directly transferred from cockroaches to people.
Figure 2: Cockroach species that commonly inhabit human dwellings include the following: German cockroach (Blattella germanica); American cockroach (Periplaneta americana); Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis); brown-banded cockroach (Supella longipalpa); Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae); smoky-brown cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa); and brown cockroach (Periplaneta brunnea).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Exposure to cockroach allergens clearly leads to both sensitization and symptoms of asthma (Chew et al. 2008). Guidelines for exposure leading to sensitization, (2-4 Units Bla g 1 per gram of vacuumed, sieved house dust), and symptoms, (8 Units Bla g 1 per gram), have been suggested.
As for other indoor allergens, two approaches to exposure reduction may be employed. Cockroach populations can be suppressed, and the allergens may be removed by cleaning. Studies show that without cockroach suppression, cleaning is not an effective means for significantly reducing allergen loads. However, pest control alone can be effective. Studies evaluating the efficacy of commercial pest management were disappointing (Sever et al. 2007). However, research entomologists were able to achieve significant population reductions. The steps they used are as follows:
18 cockroach traps placed throughout the home for 1 week.
Bait applications applied with amounts depending on number of cockroaches at each trap site.
Bait used: 2.15% Hydramethylnon (Maxforce Roach Killer Gel Bait; Bayer Environmental Science, Research Triangle Park, NC).
Baits placed: months 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 in areas where traps had cockroaches.
New traps placed at each visit.
So, to put this into practical terms: Each home must be entered first to place traps, then a week later to place bait. Traps are placed where cockroaches are most likely to be. Bait is applied wherever there are cockroaches in the traps. Each time new bait is applied, new traps are laid. This process is continued approximately monthly until no more cockroaches appear in the traps.
Rodent Pests
Rodent infestation is common. More than 50% of randomly selected U.S. homes had detectable mouse allergen (Cohn et al. 2004) and prevalence was even higher in the inner city, especially in detached homes (Berg et al. 2007). Asthma is an epidemic in the inner city, and sensitization to rodent allergens is a risk factor for having asthma (Donahue et al. 2008). Rodent allergens are also common in classrooms.
Integrated pest management is required to reduce infestations with rodents. This includes application of pesticides, plugging access to the indoors, and preventing access to any food. The latter includes storing dry foodstuffs in sealed metal containers. Thorough, vigorous, and frequent cleaning to remove residual allergens must follow pest management. Even with intensive management and cleaning, rodent allergen was shown to only fall by about 42% in one study (Eggleston 2005).
Figure 3: Mouse and rodent allergens are common in houses and classrooms.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Cats
Cat allergen is a conundrum. Individuals do become sensitive to cat allergen, and develop asthma as a result. However, in epidemiological studies, concentrations of cat allergen are correlated with a decreased risk of asthma (Takkouche et al. 2008).
Cat allergen cannot be completely removed. A cleaning protocol that included vacuuming, dry mopping, then wet mopping and shaking pillows and small rugs outdoors reduced dust levels and, to a small extent, cat allergen concentrations (Adgate et al. 2008). The type of carpet apparently does not affect the ease of removing cat allergen, but allergen can be removed more easily from new rather than from old carpets (Causer et al. 2008). High efficiency filtration in a central forced air system was found to remove up to 55% of airborne cat allergen.
Removal of the pet cat will eventually lead to allergen reduction after 4-6 months. Thorough cleaning and dust removal will speed this along. Room air cleaning is not an efficient method for removing exposure (Diette et al. 2008), nor is washing the pet or isolating the pet from the bedroom (Eggleston 2005).
Dogs
Sensitization to dog allergen is strongly associated with asthma (Korppi et al. 2008). As with cat allergies, early exposure to dogs may lessen the risk of sensitization and subsequent asthma development. However, this effect, while seen in univariate analyses, disappears when multivariate techniques are used.
Removal of dog allergen is similar to that described for cat allergen. Dogs can survive as primarily outdoor animals, whereas the average life span for an outdoor cat is only about 2 years.
Other Indoor Allergen Sources
Almost any animal, fungus or plant can release allergens into the indoor environment. In order to decide on a remediation protocol, the nature of the source and the dynamics of allergen dispersal need to be considered. For mammals, allergen is generally contained in skin secretions, saliva, and/or urine. For arthropods, feces and eggs may contain the allergen, or secretions may be at fault. For many plants, the majority of allergens are contained in pollen. In each of these cases, exposure prevention involves removing the source, or somehow blocking the pathway of the allergen. In domestic environments, removal of sources is by far the best approach to reducing allergen exposure.
References:
Second Case of Swine Flu Confirmed in Michigan
The Flint Journal April 30, 2009 17:25PM
Posted by Elizabeth Shaw
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now confirmed two cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Michigan. A Livingston County woman's illness was confirmed as the virus popularly known as "swine flu" on Wednesday. A second case in Ottawa County was confirmed by the CDC on Thursday afternoon, with the state laboratory continuing to test other suspected cases. Those deemed probable will also be sent on to the CDC for final confirmation.
The State Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center continue to operate under partial activation, taking several steps including:
-- Ensuring the state has enough medication for those most in need. The Michigan Department of Community Health received on partial shipment of the strategic national stockpile on April 28.
--The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division have been monitoring the outbreak situation since April 24.
-- The State Emergency Operations center was partially activated on April 27. The Joint Information Center was activated on April 28.
--The MDCH is coordinating with the CDC and local public health officials in the two affected counties.
--The MDCH is continuing to process potential specimens in coordination with the CDC, to determine specific virus strains in those specimens.
--The Michigan Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA to request that all state veterinarians report to the USDA Veterinary Services any cases of Influenza A H1N1 in live animals.
--The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has informed medical waste haulers to consult the CDC website and review precautionary measures for handling, transporting and treating medical waste.
A website for Michigan information on the situation can be found at www.michigan.gov/swineflu.
The MDCH advises the following common sense tips:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and throw the tissue in the trash when done.
Avoid close contact with individuals who appear to be sick.
Stay home from school or work if sick.
Keep a safe distance from all people (social distancing) when possible.
The MDA has said there are no reports of this virus strain in any U.S. herds. There is no evidence the illness can be contracted by eating cooked pork.
Posted by Elizabeth Shaw
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now confirmed two cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Michigan. A Livingston County woman's illness was confirmed as the virus popularly known as "swine flu" on Wednesday. A second case in Ottawa County was confirmed by the CDC on Thursday afternoon, with the state laboratory continuing to test other suspected cases. Those deemed probable will also be sent on to the CDC for final confirmation.
The State Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center continue to operate under partial activation, taking several steps including:
-- Ensuring the state has enough medication for those most in need. The Michigan Department of Community Health received on partial shipment of the strategic national stockpile on April 28.
--The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division have been monitoring the outbreak situation since April 24.
-- The State Emergency Operations center was partially activated on April 27. The Joint Information Center was activated on April 28.
--The MDCH is coordinating with the CDC and local public health officials in the two affected counties.
--The MDCH is continuing to process potential specimens in coordination with the CDC, to determine specific virus strains in those specimens.
--The Michigan Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA to request that all state veterinarians report to the USDA Veterinary Services any cases of Influenza A H1N1 in live animals.
--The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has informed medical waste haulers to consult the CDC website and review precautionary measures for handling, transporting and treating medical waste.
A website for Michigan information on the situation can be found at www.michigan.gov/swineflu.
The MDCH advises the following common sense tips:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and throw the tissue in the trash when done.
Avoid close contact with individuals who appear to be sick.
Stay home from school or work if sick.
Keep a safe distance from all people (social distancing) when possible.
The MDA has said there are no reports of this virus strain in any U.S. herds. There is no evidence the illness can be contracted by eating cooked pork.
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