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.
Friday, August 7, 2009
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 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.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Statement from Town and Gown Players
ATHENS (MyFOX ATLANTA) - The three people we lost yesterday were a part of the rich 50-year history of this theater and, more than that, were vital members of the Town and Gown family.
Ben Teague, loving husband of UGA's Dr. Fran Teague for more than 40 years, was not only a friend but also a father figure to all at the theater. One would be hard pressed to find a Town and Gowner who had not learned at least one life lesson from this wise and kind hearted man. His wife wishes to say, "Yesterday Ben was murdered, which is hard to comprehend and impossible to accept. It was a beautiful day, however, and he was in his favorite place with the people he loved." Ben was a translator of German, Russian and English.
Marie Bruce was the binding force that held the Town and Gown community together. Having worked with Town and Gown for over 20 years, at one time or another she served in every capacity at the theater, artistically and administratively, from leading lady to president of the board to chief cook and bottle washer. A local attorney, Marie was the mother of two young children.
A gentle presence, Tom Tanner breathed life into every corner of Town and Gown through his quiet diligence and astounding creativity - most would call him genius. Father of an equally amazing daughter, Tom would tell you that while he enjoyed his work as director of the Regional Dynamics Economic Modeling Laboratory at Clemson University, his heart lived and thrived in the theater.
Ben, Marie and Tom were a part of our family, and as painful as their loss is for us, we know it is even more painful for their families. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to their immediate family and close friends outside the theater community. There are no words we can use to adequately express our grief.
We would like to thank the Athens Police department and the media for their respectful treatment of this tragedy. We want to thank the American Bio Recovery Association and A1 BIO-Clean Service for the generous donation of their services in our time of need. We also want to thank the Athens Community for their support. This tragedy effects everyone in the community in some way, and we know you share in our loss. We ask that the media continue to be respectful of our privacy during this difficult time.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cleanup completed at Civic Association
April 5, 2009
Cleanup has been completed at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton, where a gunman killed 13 people and injured four before taking his own life Friday.
The American Bio-Recovery Association, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals, said Sunday that the bio-recovery cleaning was complete. The Ipswich, Mass.-based group provided the service at no cost.
Two member companies, Disaster Clean Up of Endwell and the Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City, donated labor and supplies to remediate the scene with a crew of six technicians.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Bio-Recovery Corporation Aids In Binghamton Crime Scene Cleanup
April 5th 2009
Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City and Diaster Scene Cleanup of Endwell, NY responded to the American Civic Association on April 5th 2009 at the request of the American Bio-Recovery Association to aid the American Civic Association and the entire Binghamton community with the cleanup of the crime scene left in the aftermath of Fridays multiple homicide, suicide at their offices located at 131 Front St Binghamton, NY.
At the request of Dale Cillian, President of the non profit American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA), the two named companies above provided all the labor and equipment to complete this cleanup in one day at no cost to the American Civic Association. "I couldn't have done this without you guys," stated Andrew Baranoski, Executive Director of the non-profit American Civic Association.
The American Bio Recovery Association, an international association of Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup professionals strives to make these services available to all that require it throughout the United
Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City and Diaster Scene Cleanup of Endwell, NY responded to the American Civic Association on April 5th 2009 at the request of the American Bio-Recovery Association to aid the American Civic Association and the entire Binghamton community with the cleanup of the crime scene left in the aftermath of Fridays multiple homicide, suicide at their offices located at 131 Front St Binghamton, NY.
At the request of Dale Cillian, President of the non profit American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA), the two named companies above provided all the labor and equipment to complete this cleanup in one day at no cost to the American Civic Association. "I couldn't have done this without you guys," stated Andrew Baranoski, Executive Director of the non-profit American Civic Association.
The American Bio Recovery Association, an international association of Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup professionals strives to make these services available to all that require it throughout the United
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Crime Scene Cleanup And The Eco-Friendly Medical Enzyme Solutions
By Richard Barthallo
Mar 23, 2009The ghastly scenario of any crime and violence is particularly gut-wrenching even to the seasoned professional. This is even more so with crime scene cleanup where bodily fluids and tissues have to be carefully handled from the other crime scene debris.
What makes crime scene cleanup a demanding task is the nature of human blood and tissues. Compared to other substances that are normally cleaned by any household solution, human blood and tissues have unique properties that call for special solutions.
No amount of ordinary household cleaning agent will be ever enough to cleanup a crime scene.
Human blood is essentially made up of several types of cells that contain different chemicals. Chief among the red blood cells is the molecule hemoglobin which is composed of protein and iron. The various molecules in the blood are arranged in such a way that they are not easily broken down by common household cleaners.
In some cases, these chemical bonds can be broken down into their component molecules but time will be of crucial importance. As such, in order to increase the speed of breaking down the chemical bonds in human blood, crime scene cleaners and restorers have turned to the medical profession for a solution.
Medical enzyme solutions contain naturally occurring enzymes that increases the speed at which the chemical bonds are broken down. This translates into a much faster rate of blood dissolution and the removal of stains. And since the solution contain what is actually found in the environment it also poses no threats to the ecosystem.
Medical enzyme solutions are now being used by top-notch professional companies that offer various cleaning and restoration services. These agents are used in order to facilitate thorough cleaning of stained areas including the removal of any visible human blood stain.
These enzymatic formulations also contain other eco friendly substances that effectively negate the foul odor emitted by a decaying human tissue. This feature is especially useful in the thorough cleaning and restoration activities of professional companies. They no longer need to use a separate solution for disinfection as well as deodorization of the affected area of the home.
The overall usefulness of medical enzyme cleaning solutions is anchored in its being a prime constituent of Mother Nature. It offers flexibility of use as well as comparable effectiveness to industrial grade cleaning solutions sans the detrimental effects to the environment.
And since it already deodorizes and disinfects areas as it cleans them, it is the most cost-effective way to provide an efficient crime scene cleanup activity.
About the AuthorRichard Barthallo is an restoration article writer for Detroit Crime Scene Cleanup and Detroit Crime Scene Cleanup
Mar 23, 2009The ghastly scenario of any crime and violence is particularly gut-wrenching even to the seasoned professional. This is even more so with crime scene cleanup where bodily fluids and tissues have to be carefully handled from the other crime scene debris.
What makes crime scene cleanup a demanding task is the nature of human blood and tissues. Compared to other substances that are normally cleaned by any household solution, human blood and tissues have unique properties that call for special solutions.
No amount of ordinary household cleaning agent will be ever enough to cleanup a crime scene.
Human blood is essentially made up of several types of cells that contain different chemicals. Chief among the red blood cells is the molecule hemoglobin which is composed of protein and iron. The various molecules in the blood are arranged in such a way that they are not easily broken down by common household cleaners.
In some cases, these chemical bonds can be broken down into their component molecules but time will be of crucial importance. As such, in order to increase the speed of breaking down the chemical bonds in human blood, crime scene cleaners and restorers have turned to the medical profession for a solution.
Medical enzyme solutions contain naturally occurring enzymes that increases the speed at which the chemical bonds are broken down. This translates into a much faster rate of blood dissolution and the removal of stains. And since the solution contain what is actually found in the environment it also poses no threats to the ecosystem.
Medical enzyme solutions are now being used by top-notch professional companies that offer various cleaning and restoration services. These agents are used in order to facilitate thorough cleaning of stained areas including the removal of any visible human blood stain.
These enzymatic formulations also contain other eco friendly substances that effectively negate the foul odor emitted by a decaying human tissue. This feature is especially useful in the thorough cleaning and restoration activities of professional companies. They no longer need to use a separate solution for disinfection as well as deodorization of the affected area of the home.
The overall usefulness of medical enzyme cleaning solutions is anchored in its being a prime constituent of Mother Nature. It offers flexibility of use as well as comparable effectiveness to industrial grade cleaning solutions sans the detrimental effects to the environment.
And since it already deodorizes and disinfects areas as it cleans them, it is the most cost-effective way to provide an efficient crime scene cleanup activity.
About the AuthorRichard Barthallo is an restoration article writer for Detroit Crime Scene Cleanup and Detroit Crime Scene Cleanup
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Lapeer woman inspires federal legislation on medical waste disposal
By PHIL FOLEY
Staff Reporter
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Lapeer woman's concerns about drug disposal have made their way into a piece of federal legislation that could lead to the investment of close to $14 billion in local wastewater treatment projects.
When Gail St. Laurent's mother, Shirley White, lost her battle with lung cancer last January the Oregon Township woman became concerned on two levels as she watched caregivers flush thousands of dollars of medication down the toilet.
One concern was that exotic chemicals were being flushed into the environment and the other was that perfectly good medicine was being disposed of while uninsured people were going without.
St. Laurent noted that just before her mother died, her insurance carrier paid $1,500 for 30 doses of a medication designed to boost cancer patients' appetite, but she only took four doses.
St. Laurent said she decided, "there's got to be a better way," so she shared her concerns with U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township). The 10th District represented by Miller includes Lapeer County.
St. Laurent's concerns found their way into a amendment to the Water Quality Investment Act that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.
A spokesman for the congresswoman noted currently there is no uniform standard for health clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities for disposing unused medicine in a responsible manner. Facilities are required by law to get rid of the medications, and have been doing so by flushing them down toilets, thus introducing levels of pollutants into waterways.
Last spring the Associated Press released the results of a five-month study that found traces of drugs ranging from antibiotics and anti-convulsants to mood stabilizers and sex hormones in drinking water supplies in 24 major metropolitan areas across the country, including Detroit.
Studies like this one have lead environmental groups to express concerns about the effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment on wildlife as well as people.
In announcing House passage of the Water Quality Investment Act, Miller said "I want to thank my friend Gail St. Laurent, not only for the loving care she gave to her mother, but also for bringing this serious issue to my attention. Losing a loved one is a terrible situation, but Gail endeavored to make something good happen from that instance in her life. As it is now, medical facilities are required to dispose of unused medications, and the methods they must use unfortunately pollute our waterways. We can do better than that, but we have to work together to find a solution."
Miller was one of 73 Republicans who joined 244 House Democrats to pass the bill 317-101. Republicans, angered over pro-labor wage requirements in the legislation, cast all 101 of the no votes.
If approved in the House form by the Senate, the legislation would provide $13.8 billion over five years in federal grants to the Clean Water State Revolving Funds, the primary mechanism for local governments to improve their wastewater systems. The bill would provide negative-interest loans and principal forgiveness to economically hard hit communities and give others up to 30 years to repay loans.
In addition to wastewater infrastructure projects the bill provides funding for other programs to improve water quality around the country that would bring the total to $18.7 billion over the next five years .
"In Michigan,' noted Miller, "we have a number of projects that are ready to go. This funding is necessary for our localities to finish necessary wastewater projects that will improve and upgrade antiquated systems."
The measure also authorizes $750 million for projects to clean up contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. Miller said this has been an ongoing effort, having thus far seen 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed; however, there are large areas that remain to be improved.
"While some great work has been done to clean up the Great Lakes so far, we have only seen one spot de-listed as an Area of Concern," said Miller, referring to thirty-one Areas of Concern that remain to be remediated in the United States. "For these Areas to be dealt with, it will take an incredible investment at the Federal level."
A spokesman for Miller said, "We're hopeful the Senate will act on this soon." If the legislation is approved, the EPA would have up to 12 months to report back to Congress on Miller's amendment.
"This is a very important issue," said St. Laurent. "There are a lot of people with cancer and their flushing thousands of dollars of unopened medicines. I am so thankful she stepped up on this."
Staff Reporter
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Lapeer woman's concerns about drug disposal have made their way into a piece of federal legislation that could lead to the investment of close to $14 billion in local wastewater treatment projects.
When Gail St. Laurent's mother, Shirley White, lost her battle with lung cancer last January the Oregon Township woman became concerned on two levels as she watched caregivers flush thousands of dollars of medication down the toilet.
One concern was that exotic chemicals were being flushed into the environment and the other was that perfectly good medicine was being disposed of while uninsured people were going without.
St. Laurent noted that just before her mother died, her insurance carrier paid $1,500 for 30 doses of a medication designed to boost cancer patients' appetite, but she only took four doses.
St. Laurent said she decided, "there's got to be a better way," so she shared her concerns with U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township). The 10th District represented by Miller includes Lapeer County.
St. Laurent's concerns found their way into a amendment to the Water Quality Investment Act that would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.
A spokesman for the congresswoman noted currently there is no uniform standard for health clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities for disposing unused medicine in a responsible manner. Facilities are required by law to get rid of the medications, and have been doing so by flushing them down toilets, thus introducing levels of pollutants into waterways.
Last spring the Associated Press released the results of a five-month study that found traces of drugs ranging from antibiotics and anti-convulsants to mood stabilizers and sex hormones in drinking water supplies in 24 major metropolitan areas across the country, including Detroit.
Studies like this one have lead environmental groups to express concerns about the effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment on wildlife as well as people.
In announcing House passage of the Water Quality Investment Act, Miller said "I want to thank my friend Gail St. Laurent, not only for the loving care she gave to her mother, but also for bringing this serious issue to my attention. Losing a loved one is a terrible situation, but Gail endeavored to make something good happen from that instance in her life. As it is now, medical facilities are required to dispose of unused medications, and the methods they must use unfortunately pollute our waterways. We can do better than that, but we have to work together to find a solution."
Miller was one of 73 Republicans who joined 244 House Democrats to pass the bill 317-101. Republicans, angered over pro-labor wage requirements in the legislation, cast all 101 of the no votes.
If approved in the House form by the Senate, the legislation would provide $13.8 billion over five years in federal grants to the Clean Water State Revolving Funds, the primary mechanism for local governments to improve their wastewater systems. The bill would provide negative-interest loans and principal forgiveness to economically hard hit communities and give others up to 30 years to repay loans.
In addition to wastewater infrastructure projects the bill provides funding for other programs to improve water quality around the country that would bring the total to $18.7 billion over the next five years .
"In Michigan,' noted Miller, "we have a number of projects that are ready to go. This funding is necessary for our localities to finish necessary wastewater projects that will improve and upgrade antiquated systems."
The measure also authorizes $750 million for projects to clean up contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. Miller said this has been an ongoing effort, having thus far seen 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed; however, there are large areas that remain to be improved.
"While some great work has been done to clean up the Great Lakes so far, we have only seen one spot de-listed as an Area of Concern," said Miller, referring to thirty-one Areas of Concern that remain to be remediated in the United States. "For these Areas to be dealt with, it will take an incredible investment at the Federal level."
A spokesman for Miller said, "We're hopeful the Senate will act on this soon." If the legislation is approved, the EPA would have up to 12 months to report back to Congress on Miller's amendment.
"This is a very important issue," said St. Laurent. "There are a lot of people with cancer and their flushing thousands of dollars of unopened medicines. I am so thankful she stepped up on this."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Top 13 Worst Jobs with the Best Pay
These are dirty jobs and somebody has to do them. At least they get paid well for their efforts
Think you have a lousy job? You're not alone. So do about half of your fellow workers—and about a quarter of them are only showing up to collect a paycheck, according to a survey conducted by London-based market information company TNS. Grumbling over the size of that check is common, too. About two-thirds of workers believe they don't get paid enough, says TNS—even though many of them may actually be overpaid, compared to average compensation data
Crime-Scene Cleaner
Average pay: $50,400
If crime-scene cleanup was just wiping blood off the floors—well, that would be easy. But CSI fans with get-rich-quick dreams should note the job involves more than handiness with a mop and a tolerance for the smell of decomposing flesh. Getting rid of bodily fluids typically calls for more rough-and-ready methods, such as ripping up carpet, tile, and baseboards. It also sometimes means working in confined spaces (if someone was electrocuted in an attic, for example). And when tearing up old houses, workers face exposure to hazards such as lead paint and asbestos—not to mention the combustible chemicals involved in drug-lab abatement.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves
The Restoration Resource
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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Risks of Using In-house Employees for Environmental Cleanups
By Gerard M. Giordano, Esq.
In an attempt to save money, property owners may be tempted to use their own Employees to clean up contamination at their facilities in order to comply with state or federal environmental laws. However, there may not be any real savings because when property owners (as employers)do commit to such a venture,they must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA)regulations that may be applicable. These are designed to protect employees from occupational injuries and illnesses,and failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines that may offset any savings.
A property owner who orders his employees to clean up or work with hazardous substances must comply with a number of precautionary regulations. The most comprehensive is 29 CFR 1910.120, which deals with hazardous waste operations and emergency response. An employer is required to develop and put into writing a safety and health program for any employees engaged in hazardous waste cleanup operations.
The elements of an effective program include requiring an employer to identify and evaluate specific hazards and to determine the appropriate safety and health control procedures to protect employees before any work is initiated. Likewise, protective equipment must be utilized by employees during the initial site entry and, if required,during subsequent work at the site. The employer must also periodically monitor employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances in excess of OSHA ’s regulations.
Once the presence and concentration of specific hazardous substances and health hazards have been established, employees involved in the cleanup operations must be informed of any risks associated with their work. Under certain ircumstances,regular ongoing medical surveillance of employees by a licensed physician, and without cost to the employees or lost pay, may be required.
Numerous other safeguards are also required by OSHA. For example, OSHA’s hazardous communications program, 29 CFR 1910.120, requires an employer to establish and implement a hazard communication program if, during the course of the cleanup, employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.
The requirements are essentially the same as those in workplaces where employees are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals. The program must include container labeling, production of material safety data sheets and employee training. The employer must also provide a full description of the OSHA compliance program to employees, contractors and subcontractors involved with the cleanup operations as well as OSHA,and to any other federal,state or local agency with regulatory authority over the cleanup.
Regulation 29 CFR 1910.120 also requires an employer that retains the services of a contractor or subcontractor to inform them of any identified potential hazards of the cleanup operations. Generally, it is the involvement of employees that triggers an employer’s obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If contractors were retained, it would be the contractors’ responsibility to comply with these OSHA requirements on behalf of their employees, assuming that the employer
retaining the contractor has neither employees involved in the cleanup nor employees potentially exposed to health hazards arising from the cleanup.
In addition to the contractor’s required compliance with OSHA regulations, it is imperative that a property owner include in any agreement with the contractor that the contractor must comply with all pertinent OSHA regulations. If possible,the agreement should also provide for indemnifications from the contractor to the property owner for claims arising from the cleanup. These indemnifications will be important if the employees of the contractor are injured or subsequently become ill because of such work. The indemnifications should survive the completion of the work. These precautions will help insulate the property owner from both governmental actions and potential third-party claims.
Failure to comply with OSHA regulations on the part of the property owner who uses his own employees to perform a cleanup or work with hazardous substances may result in substantial penalties. Under OSHA, fines can be levied for each violation found by an inspector. These violations can result in non-serious, serious or willful violations with penalties as high as $70,000 for each violation. If a subsequent inspection is performed and violations are found which have not been corrected from an original inspection,daily penalties could be levied resulting in substantial fines.
Compliance with OSHA regulations should be a factor when a property owner decides to use in-house employees for cleanups. In the long run, there may not be any savings to the employer. Furthermore, because of the employer’s lack of familiarity with the OSHA regulations governing the cleanup of hazardous sites,the employer could be subject to fines as a result of its failure to comply with the OSHA regulations.
Therefore, it may be prudent in the long run to retain a company whose business is devoted to doing only cleanups. This company will have the expertise and continuing obligations to protect its employees.
Gerard Giordano is special counsel at the law firm of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A., based in Hackensack, NJ. He is a member of the firm’s Environmental Department, and his practice focuses particularly on OSHA matters. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Giordano worked at the U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as an industrial hygiene compliance officer.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Officials seize medical waste in Lathrup Village abortion clinic Dumpster
Kim Kozlowski / The Detroit News
LATHRUP VILLAGE -- Police and state officials called in hazardous waste crews Monday to haul away blood-soaked medical waste found in the Dumpster outside of WomanCare, an abortion provider that operates six mid-Michigan clinics.
Alberto Hodari, the clinic's medical director, blamed the apparent improper disposal of materials on a new staff member.
Abortion foes say they have searched the clinic's garbage for a month and found improperly disposed medical waste, along with medical documents that should have been shredded. They informed Lathrup Village police, who then launched the investigation.
"It's absolutely despicable," said Monica Miller of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, the group that claims to have found the improper dumping.
Hodari scoffed at the notion that the group had found medical waste in his Dumpster in Lathrup Village or any of the garbage receptacles at the five other WomanCare clinics.
No sanctions have been issued against the clinic because the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's investigation is not complete.
Meanwhile, Lathrup Village police were frustrated because they can't charge anyone with a crime.
"It's a regulatory issue and possibly a civil issue, but this ought to be a felony," said Lathrup Village Police Sgt. Vincent Lynch. "This is a neighborhood. Animals could get into the Dumpster they could drag the stuff around and you could end up with contamination as a public health issue far beyond the radius of the Dumpster. We have greater law enforcement for people who throw things outside the window of their car."
State officials on Monday also searched the garbage outside of a WomanCare clinic in Sterling Heights but it was unclear if they recovered anything.
Human tissue should be disposed of either by incineration, cremation, cemetery burial or grinding and flushing through a sanitary sewer, according to Robert McCann, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Anyone who violates the law is subject to a fine of up to $2,500 for each incident and up to $1,000 each day during which the violation occurred.
Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality, which investigates improper disposal of medical waste, would determine the magnitude and seriousness of the situation before levying a fine, McCann said. But it is unlikely the clinic would face serious repercussions.
"Our priority is always to work with them and get them into compliance," he said.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Crime & Trauma Scene Bio-Recovery – Growing Pains in a Niche Industry
by Kent Berg
Like many people in the restoration industry considering expanding into crime and trauma scene bio-recovery, you may want to know about the trends in the marketplace and who your potential competitors are. However, before I tell you where the industry is and where it is going, let’s look at from where it came… In the mid-to-late 1990s, the crime and trauma bio-recovery industry was in its infancy. There were only a handful of companies providing service as full-time dedicated businesses. As these companies began to market themselves and the media began running articles and interviews, budding entrepreneurs took notice, and a small but steady stream of novices entered the industry. The insurance industry also began to recognize the capabilities of trained and certified companies. There were fewer complaints and callbacks from their insureds, and the frequency of “rip and tear” remediation dropped in favor of proper decontamination and disinfection practices.Today, roughly 12 years into the life of this business, we are seeing families, businesses and industrial customers getting their scenes cleaned up without having to ask untrained and psychologically unprepared employees or family members to undertake these gruesome tasks. But with this influx of new companies has come problems. Since1996 the industry has watched as an incredible influx of new companies try their hand at this unique and macabre business. What was once an open market is rapidly changing. While many areas of the country are still in need of crime scene cleanup companies, many areas are saturated. States like Florida, California, Ohio and New Jersey, and cities like Phoenix, Atlanta, Seattle and Philadelphia are literally teeming with bio-recovery service providers. As more companies enter these markets, there results a dilution of the supply/demand ratio, and thus the newcomers are either going out of business shortly after start-up or they diminish the incomes of the established companies there before them, in turn forcing them to diversify or die. Why is this happening? As a niche market, there are a limited number of scenes that need to be cleaned. Unlike other industries that entice new potential clients to try their services, the bio-recovery industry has to wait for something horrible to happen and either make themselves available or hope for a referral from public safety officials. When there are more bio-recovery companies than horrible events, company owners have to look for other ways to supplement their income. Many companies have entered the fire/water/smoke remediation market, while others have expanded into the mold/lead/asbestos fields. Just as remediation companies have expanded into the crime scene markets, we are seeing many in the crime scene markets enter the traditional abatement/remediation fields in order to survive.So what is the big attraction of crime scene bio-recovery? The lure of big money, no formal education and low start-up costs has attracted a broad variety of players. Like most industries, the quality of service varies widely. Although the American Bio-Recovery Association (www.americanbiorecovery.com) has gained significant recognition and credibility for many in the industry, there is still a disturbing number of companies who fail to comply with federal and state regulations, have received no formal training or industry certification, or have failed to embrace ethical business practices. Unlike many business owners who see crime scene cleanup as a moral calling to provide a service very similar to funeral homes, others see an opportunity to plunder the coffers of the dead and bereaved, often charging obscene fees for shoddy work. Unfortunately, the public is painfully unaware of what constitutes a good company and often believes that these services are regulated and certified by the government. The greatest problem we face with this industry is that it is unregulated in most states, counties, and municipalities. With the exception of Louisiana, New York City, Florida and California, there are no industry-specific regulations, nor am I currently aware of any government entities in that intend to propose legislation in the foreseeable future. With a lack of governmental oversight, it is often ABRA that gets phone calls from the public, insurance adjusters, lawyers, and state attorneys wishing to “report” unsatisfactory experiences with poor service providers. Some of the more unnerving complaints include such tales as: “When our family walked across the ‘professionally decontaminated’ vinyl tiled kitchen floor, blood spurted up between the tiles splattering our shoes” or “After the crew left, we went to remove a pot of chili from the stove and found a three-inch skull fragment floating on top.” There are also stories of scare tactics like, “They told us that due to the biological hazards of airborne contaminants, all of the home contents had to be disposed of including the china, silverware, appliances, everything, and then weeks later we found most of our belongings being sold at a flea market.” Training has also been a hot issue in the industry. Like the companies who make up the industry, the training offered varies widely. Although ABRA-approved training centers provide highly competent, in-depth training programs with ABRA certification, and a few independent for-profit entities reportedly have a good curriculum, many more companies have popped up offering less-than-stellar training. Many service providers say they are “certified” on their Web sites, but don’t say by whom. Many say they are “OSHA Certified,” but that is simply not true: OSHA does not certify companies to do this type of work, they only provide training in safety regulation compliance. On the bright side, the industry as a whole has established itself as a legitimate and needed service. More and more businesses, industries, public safety agencies and social assistance organizations are recognizing what scientists and psychologists have been saying for years, that qualified cleanup companies relieve families and the public from being exposed to disease hazards as well as the psychological trauma associated with these horrific scenes. In fact, government agencies are beginning to initiate contingency contracts in case something should happen on city, county, or federal property, and many are begin to recognize ABRA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recognizes ABRA’s position in the industry and has sought its assistance regarding the distribution of OSHA compliance materials to the industry.So where do we truly stand as an industry? I like to think we are in our adolescent stage, the rebellious, finding-our-own-way stage. As we mature we will see more professionalism, especially as a more savvy public begin to be more discriminating in seeking out a qualified service provider for their scene cleanup. Even as the economy continues its downturn, we know this is an industry that will not go away, and in all probability a recession will, sadly, generate more cleanups. On the other hand, as the U.S. job market becomes weaker and more people lose their jobs to downsizing, they will look for opportunities that appear lucrative, easy to get into, and don’t require a college education. Many will think that crime and trauma scene bio-recovery is the answer. Where they are geographically, ethically, and educationally will determine if they are right.
Like many people in the restoration industry considering expanding into crime and trauma scene bio-recovery, you may want to know about the trends in the marketplace and who your potential competitors are. However, before I tell you where the industry is and where it is going, let’s look at from where it came… In the mid-to-late 1990s, the crime and trauma bio-recovery industry was in its infancy. There were only a handful of companies providing service as full-time dedicated businesses. As these companies began to market themselves and the media began running articles and interviews, budding entrepreneurs took notice, and a small but steady stream of novices entered the industry. The insurance industry also began to recognize the capabilities of trained and certified companies. There were fewer complaints and callbacks from their insureds, and the frequency of “rip and tear” remediation dropped in favor of proper decontamination and disinfection practices.Today, roughly 12 years into the life of this business, we are seeing families, businesses and industrial customers getting their scenes cleaned up without having to ask untrained and psychologically unprepared employees or family members to undertake these gruesome tasks. But with this influx of new companies has come problems. Since1996 the industry has watched as an incredible influx of new companies try their hand at this unique and macabre business. What was once an open market is rapidly changing. While many areas of the country are still in need of crime scene cleanup companies, many areas are saturated. States like Florida, California, Ohio and New Jersey, and cities like Phoenix, Atlanta, Seattle and Philadelphia are literally teeming with bio-recovery service providers. As more companies enter these markets, there results a dilution of the supply/demand ratio, and thus the newcomers are either going out of business shortly after start-up or they diminish the incomes of the established companies there before them, in turn forcing them to diversify or die. Why is this happening? As a niche market, there are a limited number of scenes that need to be cleaned. Unlike other industries that entice new potential clients to try their services, the bio-recovery industry has to wait for something horrible to happen and either make themselves available or hope for a referral from public safety officials. When there are more bio-recovery companies than horrible events, company owners have to look for other ways to supplement their income. Many companies have entered the fire/water/smoke remediation market, while others have expanded into the mold/lead/asbestos fields. Just as remediation companies have expanded into the crime scene markets, we are seeing many in the crime scene markets enter the traditional abatement/remediation fields in order to survive.So what is the big attraction of crime scene bio-recovery? The lure of big money, no formal education and low start-up costs has attracted a broad variety of players. Like most industries, the quality of service varies widely. Although the American Bio-Recovery Association (www.americanbiorecovery.com) has gained significant recognition and credibility for many in the industry, there is still a disturbing number of companies who fail to comply with federal and state regulations, have received no formal training or industry certification, or have failed to embrace ethical business practices. Unlike many business owners who see crime scene cleanup as a moral calling to provide a service very similar to funeral homes, others see an opportunity to plunder the coffers of the dead and bereaved, often charging obscene fees for shoddy work. Unfortunately, the public is painfully unaware of what constitutes a good company and often believes that these services are regulated and certified by the government. The greatest problem we face with this industry is that it is unregulated in most states, counties, and municipalities. With the exception of Louisiana, New York City, Florida and California, there are no industry-specific regulations, nor am I currently aware of any government entities in that intend to propose legislation in the foreseeable future. With a lack of governmental oversight, it is often ABRA that gets phone calls from the public, insurance adjusters, lawyers, and state attorneys wishing to “report” unsatisfactory experiences with poor service providers. Some of the more unnerving complaints include such tales as: “When our family walked across the ‘professionally decontaminated’ vinyl tiled kitchen floor, blood spurted up between the tiles splattering our shoes” or “After the crew left, we went to remove a pot of chili from the stove and found a three-inch skull fragment floating on top.” There are also stories of scare tactics like, “They told us that due to the biological hazards of airborne contaminants, all of the home contents had to be disposed of including the china, silverware, appliances, everything, and then weeks later we found most of our belongings being sold at a flea market.” Training has also been a hot issue in the industry. Like the companies who make up the industry, the training offered varies widely. Although ABRA-approved training centers provide highly competent, in-depth training programs with ABRA certification, and a few independent for-profit entities reportedly have a good curriculum, many more companies have popped up offering less-than-stellar training. Many service providers say they are “certified” on their Web sites, but don’t say by whom. Many say they are “OSHA Certified,” but that is simply not true: OSHA does not certify companies to do this type of work, they only provide training in safety regulation compliance. On the bright side, the industry as a whole has established itself as a legitimate and needed service. More and more businesses, industries, public safety agencies and social assistance organizations are recognizing what scientists and psychologists have been saying for years, that qualified cleanup companies relieve families and the public from being exposed to disease hazards as well as the psychological trauma associated with these horrific scenes. In fact, government agencies are beginning to initiate contingency contracts in case something should happen on city, county, or federal property, and many are begin to recognize ABRA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recognizes ABRA’s position in the industry and has sought its assistance regarding the distribution of OSHA compliance materials to the industry.So where do we truly stand as an industry? I like to think we are in our adolescent stage, the rebellious, finding-our-own-way stage. As we mature we will see more professionalism, especially as a more savvy public begin to be more discriminating in seeking out a qualified service provider for their scene cleanup. Even as the economy continues its downturn, we know this is an industry that will not go away, and in all probability a recession will, sadly, generate more cleanups. On the other hand, as the U.S. job market becomes weaker and more people lose their jobs to downsizing, they will look for opportunities that appear lucrative, easy to get into, and don’t require a college education. Many will think that crime and trauma scene bio-recovery is the answer. Where they are geographically, ethically, and educationally will determine if they are right.
Ten Big Concerns in the Bio-Recovery Industry
by Kent Berg
If you are in, or are contemplating entering, the bio-recovery industry, it’s important to remember this goal: the complete clean up of blood, tissue and other potentially infectious materials. Problem is, many people think that’s the only goal, and so all that is needed is a strong stomach and a mop. In fact, there are companies out there cleaning up scenes with that approach in mind. What we as technicians have to remember, however, is that in order to accomplish our task, there are a number of concerns we must address in order to do the job safely, effectively, and in compliance with the law. Ignoring any of these 10 concerns can cause employees to get sick (potentially with a lifetime of medical bills you will have to pay); lead to lawsuits from employees as well as customers; result in a bad reputation for poor performance; raise the ire of law enforcement agencies, and even lead to government fines.
Pathogenic Microbes These harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi can be present in spilled blood and body fluids as well as in the air. Splashes of blood or body fluids and inhalation of aerosolized blood or fungal spores from the gastrointestinal tract can cause illness. Some viruses, like Hepatitis, can even cause death. Most people are under the impression that these pathogens die when blood dries, but this is not the case. In fact, scientists have found live Hepatitis virus in blood that has been dried for over a month, and they believe it can actually live substantially longer. Protection against these invisible germs is paramount, and requires suits, gloves, face shields and respirators, regardless of how old the blood is. Not just any glove or suit will do, either. To assure that maximum protection is attained, seek out PPE that is specifically rated by the manufacturer or a testing organization like ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) for the job you are performing.
Psychological Trauma Just because someone has gutted a deer, worked in a nursing home or cleaned up after a nosebleed doesn’t mean they are psychologically prepared to clean a trauma scene. These scenes can be horrific: pieces of scalp hanging from the ceiling fan; brain matter splattered on the oil painting of the smiling family; bloody handprints sliding down the wall of a stabbing victim’s apartment; the crying and wailing of the family in the next room as you wipe away the remnants of their loved-one’s last moments. Turnover in this business is usually because of nightmares, inability to sleep, and depression. Staying mentally healthy is an important part of protecting yourself on the job.
Disinfectant Efficacy
Although there are more than 100 antimicrobial products that claim to kill germs, it is imperative to select the right one for the target pathogens you may encounter. Among the those rated to do the job, their true efficacy varies considerably and is subject to surface conditions, temperature, organic load, and even the material the contaminant is on. Disinfectant efficacy is also heavily influenced by the presence of biofilm. Biofilm is produced when bacteria colonize and collectively produce a coating that envelops the entire colony. This coating provides a protective layer under which the bacteria can thrive unaffected by many disinfectants.
Although there are more than 100 antimicrobial products that claim to kill germs, it is imperative to select the right one for the target pathogens you may encounter. Among the those rated to do the job, their true efficacy varies considerably and is subject to surface conditions, temperature, organic load, and even the material the contaminant is on. Disinfectant efficacy is also heavily influenced by the presence of biofilm. Biofilm is produced when bacteria colonize and collectively produce a coating that envelops the entire colony. This coating provides a protective layer under which the bacteria can thrive unaffected by many disinfectants.
Overlooked Contamination You just spent 50 hours cleaning up a bedroom where a father took his own life with a 12-guage shotgun. There was blood, tissue, brain matter and skull fragments covering nearly every square foot of the room and its contents. You were extremely cordial and sympathetic to the family. You used the right equipment and disinfectants. The room now looks great and the family is pleased. But if you have overlooked just one drop of blood, one piece of tissue or small skull fragment (perhaps a tooth behind the dresser), prepare to get a very angry phone call. You may as well not have done anything at all because, although you worked until you nearly dropped, that one overlooked piece of carnage has re-traumatized the family, and they are thinking of calling a lawyer.
Interaction With the Distressed Family Like funeral directors, we often have to interact with the immediate family of the deceased just a few hours after the event. These husbands, wives, parents and children are grieving and trying to cope with the emotional upheaval of an unexpected traumatic loss. Knowing what to say as well as what not to say is critical in establishing a rapport and conveying your sympathy, yet still obtaining the information necessary to do your job. Saying the wrong thing can at the very least get you off on the wrong foot, and possibly get you kicked off the property. Sensitivity and a caring attitude are essential in this business.
Recognizing Evidence
From time to time, technicians will discover evidence at a crime scene. Since we spend a great deal of time scouring the scene from top to bottom, moving furniture, opening drawers and so on, we come across things that may be important to investigators. The key is recognizing what might be related to the case. Obviously, guns, bloody knives and bullets should be reported, but it is with the more subtle things that you have to ask yourself, “Could this be important?” A roll of duct tape on the scene of a stabbing may have no significance, but what if you found one at the scene of an abduction? Knowing what the crime was can help you “tune-in” on items that may be crucial to an investigation.
From time to time, technicians will discover evidence at a crime scene. Since we spend a great deal of time scouring the scene from top to bottom, moving furniture, opening drawers and so on, we come across things that may be important to investigators. The key is recognizing what might be related to the case. Obviously, guns, bloody knives and bullets should be reported, but it is with the more subtle things that you have to ask yourself, “Could this be important?” A roll of duct tape on the scene of a stabbing may have no significance, but what if you found one at the scene of an abduction? Knowing what the crime was can help you “tune-in” on items that may be crucial to an investigation.
Unreleased Scenes You get a phone call from an apartment complex manager who wants you to clean up a shooting scene in apartment 2-C. You rush over and the manager signs your contract. Hours later you pack up your truck, confident that you have cleaned and disinfected every square inch of the apartment. The next day you get a call from an irate police investigator who says the scene had not been released yet, and you have destroyed his crime scene. He is threatening to charge you with obstruction of justice! Make absolutely sure that crime scenes have been reported, investigated and released before doing the job.
Legal Issues As employers, we must adhere to the many OSHA regulations that apply to our trade. The most obvious is 29CFR1910.1030 the Bloodborne Pathogen Regulation, but there are many, many more, including the Respiratory Protection Regulations; Lockout-Tagout; Confined Space; Ladders; General Safety; and Personal Protective Equipment. These regulations were designed to protect our employees and violations can result in stiff penalties, lawsuits and damage to our credibility. In addition, we must employ contracts that provide protection to the property owner as well as the company and technicians. We must know who can sign our contracts, and we must have the appropriate insurance to protect us if anything goes wrong.
Migration of Liquids
Migration of Liquids
Blood travels like water, but many people, including some technicians, tend to clean up only what they see (“If the red is gone, I’ve done my job.”). Unfortunately, blood runs under vinyl tile, under baseboards, down the seams of hardwood flooring, through OSB, and wicks up into drywall and down into concrete. Wiping blood off a surface is only the beginning of the remediation process. Most jobs are more complicated than they initially seem because most of the contamination is hidden. Just a few ounces of blood can penetrate a carpet, go through the pad onto the underlayment, find a seam and seep down the seam into the plywood subfloor. More than a few ounces can travel from an attic to a basement if the conditions are right. Knowing what to look for is the key to combating liquid migration.
Decomposition and Odors
Understanding the nature of human body decomposition and the liquids and odors produced is key to our business. Putricine and cadaverine are composed of a variety of chemicals, fats, bacteria and minerals that pose challenges for the bio-recovery technician. Understanding what chemicals to use, what home contents can be saved, and what the true hazards of the contamination are goes a long way in restoring the property quickly and economically.
As with any industry, there are always critical concerns that must be addressed in order to provide the best service possible. For the bio-recovery technician, failing to address any of these concerns can result in a very poor outcome, both for the family and your business. Proper training is of paramount importance, and certification from a nationally recognized organization will help assure that every scene is handled properly.
Understanding the nature of human body decomposition and the liquids and odors produced is key to our business. Putricine and cadaverine are composed of a variety of chemicals, fats, bacteria and minerals that pose challenges for the bio-recovery technician. Understanding what chemicals to use, what home contents can be saved, and what the true hazards of the contamination are goes a long way in restoring the property quickly and economically.
As with any industry, there are always critical concerns that must be addressed in order to provide the best service possible. For the bio-recovery technician, failing to address any of these concerns can result in a very poor outcome, both for the family and your business. Proper training is of paramount importance, and certification from a nationally recognized organization will help assure that every scene is handled properly.
Kent Berg is the Director of the National Institute of Decontamination Specialists, an international crime and trauma scene cleanup training center certified by the American BioRecovery Association (ABRA). He is also a consultant and expert witness in the field of crime and trauma scene biorecovery. Kent can be reached at (864) 855-3400 or at www.NIDStraining.com
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