As a property manager, you’re the go-to for just about everything. Leaky faucet? You’ve got someone for that. Broken light fixture? You’re already on it. When a tenant moves out and leaves a mess behind, your maintenance crew knows the drill: clean, repair, and reset.
Situations involving blood, bodily fluids, drug residue, or extreme hoarding go far beyond the scope of general maintenance. They’re biohazard scenes, and treating them like any other mess can create serious consequences for your team, your tenants, and your property.
This isn’t just about cleaning up. It’s about protecting people’s health, following safety regulations, and preventing long-term damage to your investment.
You wouldn’t ask your handyman to handle electrical rewiring without proper training. So why risk their safety—and your liability—by asking them to clean up a potentially infectious scene?
Crime scenes. Unattended deaths. Hoarding situations. Drug residue. Sewage backups.
These aren’t just unpleasant—they’re hazardous, legally complex, and emotionally heavy.
Yet many property managers still default to their maintenance crew or janitorial team when these events happen, assuming it’s “just another mess to clean.”
But this isn’t a clogged sink or scuffed floor. It’s a potential public health risk, and it requires far more than elbow grease and cleaning supplies.
In these moments, well-meaning isn’t enough. Without the proper training and equipment, even a simple wipe-down can become a dangerous—and expensive—mistake.
Proper biohazard remediation demands:
Biohazard scenes may contain HIV, hepatitis B/C, or drug contaminants like fentanyl. One misstep can expose your crew—and your tenants—to serious health risks.
Gloves and masks aren’t enough. Professional teams use PPE (personal protective equipment), containment barriers, and HEPA-filtered vacuums to stop the spread of contaminants during and after cleanup.
Blood-soaked materials, sharps, and hazardous waste must be handled and transported according to strict regulations. Most general cleaning crews aren’t trained in these requirements, putting you at risk of non-compliance and fines.
Biohazard scenes often follow traumatic events. Cleaning up after an unattended death or suicide takes more than a strong stomach—it requires sensitivity, discretion, and the ability to work calmly in highly emotional environments.
Expecting your regular crew to take this on isn’t just unfair—it’s unsafe. The bottom line: if they haven’t been trained for it, they shouldn’t be doing it. Period.
On paper, handling a cleanup in-house is a budget-friendly move. You’ve already got a crew. Why not just hand them some gloves and cleaning supplies and knock it out?
But when the mess involves biohazards, drug residue, or extreme filth, doing your best without professional training is a gamble—and one that rarely pays off.
Here’s what that decision can really cost you:
Surface-level cleaning may not eliminate deep contamination. If a unit still smells, shows stains, or makes tenants uncomfortable, you’ll struggle to lease it, losing days, weeks, even months of income.
Blood, decomposition, urine, and mold leave behind odors that typical cleaning solutions can’t touch. Tenants may report “a weird smell,” but the real issue is invisible contamination that continues to spread.
Biohazards soak into subfloors, drywall, HVAC systems, and insulation. Without professional remediation, you risk locking those problems in, forcing costly repairs down the road.
If a future tenant gets sick or discovers the prior condition, you could face lawsuits, health department fines, or a damaged reputation. Many biohazard scenarios require strict adherence to OSHA and EPA regulations—cutting corners opens you to major consequences.
Your maintenance crew didn’t sign up to deal with hazardous waste. If they’re injured or infected while cleaning, you could be held responsible for their medical costs and lost wages.
What starts as a “small mess” can quickly snowball into a major issue, costing you more time, more money, and more stress than hiring professionals would have from the start.
When your property is facing a situation involving blood, bodily fluids, drug residue, hoarding, or sewage, it’s not just dirty—it’s dangerous and deeply complex. This is where your standard cleaning crew reaches its limit—and where Bio-One steps in.
We’re not a janitorial service. We’re a professional biohazard remediation team trained to handle the scenes no one else should touch.
Here’s what sets Bio-One apart:
Every Bio-One technician is certified in handling bloodborne pathogens, trauma scenes, and chemical decontamination. From fentanyl residue to decomposition fluids, we know how to clean safely, thoroughly, and in compliance with strict OSHA standards.
Biohazard events don’t wait for business hours—and neither do we. Whether it’s 2 a.m. or a holiday weekend, our team is ready to respond fast and begin remediation, minimizing disruption to your tenants and timeline.
We understand how sensitive these situations can be. Our teams arrive in unmarked vehicles and plain uniforms to protect your privacy and your property's reputation. We work quietly and professionally to avoid drawing attention to the situation.
We don’t just wipe down surfaces. Our team investigates what’s behind walls, under floors, and inside vents—because biohazards often seep into areas you can’t see. We eliminate not just the visible mess, but the root causes of odor, bacteria, and health risks.
Biohazard claims are complicated, but we make them easier. Our team handles documentation, photos, and direct communication with your insurance adjuster, saving you time, stress, and paperwork.
When it’s more than just a mess—when it’s a potential threat to health, safety, and liability—you need certified professionals who know what they’re doing and care about doing it right.
Bio-One is here to take that burden off your plate so that you can move forward with confidence.
You’ve built a reputation for running a clean, safe, and professional property. Every decision you make—from the paint color in the hallways to the landscaping out front—affects how your tenants (and future tenants) see you.
That reputation can unravel in an instant if a serious cleanup is handled the wrong way.
The truth is:
Your maintenance team isn’t trained—or equipped—to manage trauma scenes, drug contamination, or biohazard remediation.
And honestly, they shouldn’t be. That’s not their job. It’s not in their job description. And expecting them to take on that kind of risk puts everyone in a dangerous position.
Biohazard cleanup isn’t about wiping up a mess. It’s about:
Bio-One is here, so you don’t have to shoulder this burden alone.
We’re a trusted partner to property managers across the country—ready 24/7 to respond fast, work discreetly, and handle the toughest situations with care and professionalism.
Let your staff do what they do best: keep your property running smoothly.
And let Bio-One take care of the rest—quietly, quickly, and thoroughly.
Disasters don’t wait for you to be ready. A tenant passes away. A unit is discovered in a hoarding state. A sewage backup catches you off guard. When these situations arise, every hour counts—and scrambling to find the right help in the middle of a crisis can lead to costly delays, safety issues, and missteps you can’t afford.
That’s why the smartest move you can make right now is to partner with Bio-One of Sacramento—before an emergency hits.
Here’s how to take the first step:
We serve our communities with care, and we show up when it matters most.
Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a mess to start looking for help.
Be ready. Be protected. Be proactive—with Bio-One of Sacramento.
Most maintenance staff aren’t trained to safely deal with bloodborne pathogens, drug residue, or hazardous materials. Without the proper PPE, disposal methods, and regulatory knowledge, even a well-intentioned cleanup can lead to health risks, liability, and long-term property damage.
Biohazards include blood, bodily fluids, drug residue (like fentanyl), sewage backups, decomposition, animal waste, and hoarding situations. If there’s a risk of infection, contamination, or toxic exposure, it’s not a job for general cleaning crews.
Improper cleanup can spread contaminants, damage building materials, create lingering odors, or lead to lawsuits and code violations. You may also be putting your team at risk of exposure to harmful pathogens or chemicals.
Yes. Biohazards often seep into subfloors, HVAC systems, and other hidden areas. Bio-One’s certified technicians are trained to inspect and remediate beyond the surface to ensure thorough decontamination.
We offer 24/7 emergency response and can typically be on-site within hours, day or night. When every minute matters, we’re ready to help fast.
No. We understand the importance of discretion. Our teams arrive in unmarked vehicles and wear plain uniforms to protect your tenants’ privacy and your property's reputation.
Often, yes. Many biohazard incidents—such as unattended deaths or trauma scenes—are covered under property or renter’s insurance. Bio-One assists with documentation and communicates directly with adjusters to streamline the claims process.
If the situation involves law enforcement (e.g., a crime scene or death), ensure the scene has been officially released. Then call us. We’ll guide you through the rest—including what to document, what to expect, and how to move forward.
We’re certified in biohazard remediation and trauma cleanup—not just surface cleaning. We follow OSHA and EPA regulations, use professional-grade PPE and equipment, and bring compassion, sensitivity, and discretion to every scene.
Absolutely. We encourage it. We offer free biohazard readiness calls to help you prepare for potential emergencies. You’ll get peace of mind, emergency contact info, and a trusted vendor already in your system.
Holding cells see a constant flow of detainees, many of whom arrive injured, intoxicated, or carrying infectious diseases. Blood, vomit, urine, drug residue, and even pest infestations can quickly turn these areas into biohazard hotspots.
While routine cleaning may address surface-level messes, it often fails to eliminate the hidden dangers that put officers, staff, and detainees at risk. Law enforcement professionals already face enough hazards on the job—exposure to biohazards in holding cells shouldn’t be one of them.
Ensuring these spaces are adequately decontaminated goes beyond sanitation; it’s a matter of health, safety, and compliance. That’s where Bio-One comes in. Our specialized biohazard remediation services help agencies maintain clean, safe detention areas while reducing risks to personnel and the public.
Officers and staff interacting with holding cells face exposure to various dangerous contaminants. Some of the most common biohazards found in these areas include:
While effective for general sanitation, standard cleaning protocols are not designed to eliminate biohazards. Many pathogens, drug residues, and contaminants require specialized equipment and training to remove correctly. Here’s why professional cleanup is essential:
Bio-One specializes in biohazard remediation and works directly with law enforcement agencies to maintain clean, safe, and fully operational detention facilities. Our services include:
Law enforcement officers already face enough risks on the job—exposure to biohazards shouldn’t be one of them. By partnering with Bio-One for holding cell cleanup, agencies can ensure a safer environment for officers, staff, and detainees while maintaining compliance with health and safety standards.
For immediate assistance with biohazard cleanup in holding cells or other law enforcement areas, contact Bio-One of Sacramento today at (916) 833-2461.
Holding cells frequently contain blood, vomit, urine, feces, saliva, drug residues (such as fentanyl or meth), and even pests like lice or bedbugs. These biohazards pose serious health risks if not properly decontaminated.
Standard cleaning methods may remove visible messes, but they often fail to eliminate pathogens, drug residues, and lingering contaminants that can cause infections, diseases, or secondary exposure to officers and detainees.
Bodily fluids can carry dangerous pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B & C, tuberculosis, and MRSA. These contaminants can remain on surfaces without proper cleanup, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Even trace amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine can be hazardous. Officers and detainees can be exposed through skin contact or accidental inhalation. Professional decontamination ensures that all drug residues are safely removed.
Bio-One follows strict biohazard remediation protocols, using hospital-grade disinfectants, advanced decontamination techniques, and protective measures to eliminate biohazards, neutralize odors, and restore holding cells to a safe condition.
Bio-One provides 24/7 emergency response to law enforcement agencies, ensuring holding cells are decontaminated and ready for use as quickly as possible.
Yes. Bio-One adheres to OSHA, EPA, and local health department regulations, ensuring full compliance with safety and sanitation requirements for law enforcement facilities.
Proper decontamination prevents the spread of diseases, minimizes exposure risks for officers and detainees, and ensures compliance with safety regulations—reducing the likelihood of lawsuits related to unsanitary conditions.
Yes. Bio-One’s advanced cleaning techniques include odor neutralization, eliminating lingering smells caused by bodily fluids, vomit, or chemical contaminants like pepper spray.
Bio-One offers one-time emergency cleanups and scheduled biohazard cleaning services to help agencies maintain safe, sanitary holding cells. Law enforcement departments can contact Bio-One to discuss customized cleaning plans.
The roots of crime- and trauma-scene cleaning companies can be traced to the 1990s, and at that time only a dozen or so companies existed. The industry was widely unregulated and awareness of contamination risks were relatively non-existant.
"I was young and dumb and saw something you only see in movies, so I quickly shut the door, took a deep breath, sat on the couch with the widow and told everyone else to get her out of here and take her to lunch, and we’ll clean this up for her," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Bio-One Inc. "We were just trying to help a lady in her greatest time of need, and that’s for me how I got into the crime scene and cleaning business." Read Nick's story in Franchise Times.
Today, there are hundreds of companies that advertise crime and trauma scene cleaning, and a simple Google search may prove overwhelming when you're experiencing one of the most traumatic moments in your life. To help, we've listed pre-qualifying questions to ask before choosing a crime and trauma scene company.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaner
There are a number of key questions to ask crime and trauma scene cleaning technicians or business owners to properly root out which one is best for your goals and circumstances.
Last but certainly most important, make sure the business you speak with shows care and compassion for your situation. They should want to do everything possible to support you and your loved ones.
If you are searching for a crime and trauma scene cleaner, Bio-One is here for you. All of our offices adhere to our business motto Help First, Business Second and are available 24/7. Click here to search for a Bio-One team near you.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 5 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Chocolate Spill Makes for a Sweet Cleanup
In Scranton on March 25, Juan and Nicole Morales received a call for a "chocolate" cleanup. Assuming this was code for a sewage back-up, they rushed to scene to find a different situation entirely. Approximately 100 gallons of milk chocolate had spilled, covering asphalt outside a local business.
This is certainly the sweetest smelling job a Bio-One office has ever taken, but Nicole clarified, "That smell was nice for the first few minutes but at the end I felt sick. Good thing we had an awesome team that pushed through and got this done!"
After scraping the chocolate with a forklift and pressure washing the area, the Bio-One team received a five-star review. Well done!
Behind the Scenes with Citizen's Academy
Many Bio-One owners sign up for their local Citizen's Police Academy to acquaint themselves with the activities of their local police department. This week, Bio-One owner, Ginger Akemon, in Jacksonville, FL earned her Citizen's Police Academy certificate from the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
"Definitely a learning process. Each County has their own, my goal is to go to each county's classes. This was 10 weeks long and over an hour drive each way, but well worth it, " said Ginger.
Hoarding Transformation in Long Beach
In Long Beach, the Bio-One team has been working hard on several hoarding projects. These before and after pictures show the detail and expertise our teams bring to each job.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 3 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Five 30 Yard Dumpsters
The team in Pensacola has been working non-stop on a two story home that required Bio-One hoarding services. Over the course of five days, they filled five 30 yard dumpsters, and found multiple antique pieces, photographs, sentimental items and cash that was promptly turned over to the client.
Look through the transformation photos on their Facebook page!
Backing the Blue in Omaha
The Bio-One team in Omaha dropped off bagels at the Omaha Police Department just before roll call, and Vanessa Urbach, the civilian crime and prevention specialist, tweeted a "Thank You" with shoutouts to Bio-One. Joining the conversation was our own Bio-One Twitter handle, Deputy Chief Ken Kanger, host of the What's Up Omaha Podcast, and a number of other officers in the department.
Kudos to the Omaha team for backing the blue!
Safety First
Before Bio-One teams can help first, we have to ensure safety for every technician on the job site. This week, Bio-One owners took part in conversations about safety. Topics ranged from preventing common injuries on the job to attending OSHA training with Bob Easter. Jared Lafferty, Bio-One owner in Gwinnett County, even took the conversation to Twitter and featured safety protocols his team uses while on the job.
We couldn't be prouder of our teams for putting safety first!
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for people aged 10 to 34. And according the CDC, published reports from 2020 suggest that the pandemic has had a negative effect on children’s mental health.
“Beginning in April 2020, the proportion of children’s mental health–related ED visits among all pediatric ED visits increased and remained elevated through October. Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health–related visits for children aged 5–11 and 12–17 years increased approximately 24%. and 31%, respectively.”
Researchers have yet to link recent suicides to the pandemic since 2020 suicide data is not yet available. But on the ground, there's growing concern.
The February 2021 NPR article “Child Psychiatrists Warn That The Pandemic May Be Driving Up Kids' Suicide Risk” explores possible correlation. Takeaways include:
For ways to help kids at risk, NPR encourages readers to read Part 2 of their story, “Make Space, Listen, Offer Hope: How To Help A Child At Risk Of Suicide”.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Survivors of Suicide – What to Do Next
The loss of a loved one by suicide can be a deeply painful and traumatizing experience; however, it’s important to know that everyone experiences suicide loss in their own way. As you begin the process of healing, consider reading the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s guide for to talk to others about what happened and identify ways to take care of yourself.
Additionally, if you have lost someone to suicide, there may be a cleanup required. There is no need for family or friends of the loved one to be further traumatized or overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to clean the impacted area. Bio-One is here for you. Learn more about Bio-One’s suicide remediation services.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
