Recent Reports of an Increase in the transmission of the Measles virus may start to cause the phone to ring for ABRA Member Companies.  Similar to other respiratory viruses, it is transmitted through droplets  It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. 

According to the CDC, If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.  

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears. Measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area.  According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), For measles, R nought (R0) is often cited to be 12-18, which means that each person with measles would, on average, infect 12-18 other people in a totally susceptible population. We did a systematic review to find studies reporting rigorous estimates and determinants of measles R0

Surface Significance 

According to OSHA, the measles virus can remain active and infectious on surfaces for several hours-typically up to about two hours. As infectious particles enter the air and settle on surfaces, anyone close to an infectious person and who is not immune can become infected.

Risks to Environmental Services Workers - OSHA

Environmental services workers may have exposure to contaminated environments and surfaces that can transmit the measles virus.

Activities that can lead to environmental services worker exposure include:

• Working in environments where an infected person is or has been within the previous two hours.
  
• Cleaning or otherwise having contact with environmental surfaces contaminated with an infected person’s infectious body fluids (i.e., respiratory secretions, saliva).
• Cleaning tasks that involve using pressurized sprays of water or cleaning chemicals can create potentially infectious aerosols.

Risk Group

According the Canadian Pathogen Safety Data Sheet for the Measles Virus, the Risk group for Measles Virus is an RG-2.   With that said, this is probably due the fact that the majority of us have been vaccinated for the virus making it unlikely to spread in the community but with the recent criticism of vaccines, the risk group is a bit of a grey area.  The Bio Recovery Site Risk Assessment (BSRA) guidance document suggest that this bumps in to the RG-3 area and when in doubt pick the more conservative approach for scope. 

The other variable is that it is said that the virus only remains active up to two hours on surfaces.  Once an individual is identified as a carrier, how quickly can you respond and make a difference?  A continuous cleaning and disinfection may help prevent the spread in a facility that is occupied 24/7.  If the space is unoccupied for more than two hours the risk of air and surface transmission is mitigated.  Keeping up with virus that can move this quickly can prove to be difficult for any environmental services response.  The air and surfaces in any facility are only as good as the next possible carrier enters the space knowingly or unknowingly ill.  

Passive Air Scrubber and other Air/Surface Devices

With any outbreak you will see a ton of advertisement for Devices with claims for efficacy regarding a biological remedy.  Please use caution and consult with an Environmental Infection Control Professional to make the best decision based on sound due diligence and science to back the claimed risk reduction.  

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There has been a change to the Board of directors as two Board Members have sold their companies and both are no longer Member Companies.   As to our Bylaws the board appointed active member representatives to the following positions.  

The Board appointed Warren Muncy of AAA Scene Cleaners of Cleburne Texas as the Interm Vice President.  Warren is a long term ABRA member and comes to us with a high level of knowledge in the Bio Recovery Industry.  He a retired captain of the City of Arlington Fire Department. 

The Board appointed Joe Ruzevich of Parkside Restoration of Orland Park, IL has been appointed the Interm Treasurer.  Joe is a former Board Member that will be filling this board seat and Barbra Jones our former Treasurer will become our book keeper.  This will help with ABRAs business continuity and provide us some experience to back us.   

A Call for Nominations - 

There will be two Board positions that are open for the 2024 - 2026.  

The VP position is currently held by Warren Muncy of AAA Scene Cleaners of Texas.  

The Treasurer Position is Currently Being Held by Joe Ruzevich of Parkside Restoration of Illinois.  

We encourage Active Member Representatives to nominate candidates.   

Your Active Member Representative will be receiving a Nomination Form to be filled out and sent back to the association Secretary.  Nominations will be due back to Craig Delany.  This form must be returned by August 15, 2023.

Conference Information - All indications are that the we will be Joining IAQA in February in Tampa Fla.  We are awaiting an MOU to be Drafted with IAQA.   Please hold off making plans until this is finalized.  

The case count in a hepatitis A outbreak linked to restaurants in Virginia has doubled. At least 30 people are now infected with the virus, which can cause life-threatening liver infections.

Health officials said the window for symptoms to appear is ongoing, so they may continue to hear of new cases for at least a few more weeks, according to the Roanoke Times. It can take up to 50 days after exposure to the virus for symptoms to begin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (READ MORE HERE)

Long after we are gone as the built world goes unoccupied by humans, the wild will take over.  I had been watching a documentary on how three decades later, post the CHERNOBYL DISASTER, it’s not certain how radiation is affecting wildlife—but it’s clear that the wild has taken over.  This includes houses and apartment buildings.  I find this interesting because as summer comes to an end, it is the time of year were have our own issues with invading squatters.   

In the Bio Recovery industry we presented with a lot of opportunities to respond to invading wildlife.  Many times this wild life is looking for a safe place to nest or roost to have their young.  During this time a home owner may hear scurrying or notice staining on the ceiling or small black projectiles dropping through some small cracks and crevices. Then the odor takes over.  

Mitigation projects with dead decomposing intrusive animals and their waste can be difficult job.  This is especially true if there are a lot of contents to consider.  These animals can also carry parasites and infectious agents.  So homeowners who attempt to do the work themselves there are significant risks to consider.  

In North America we get a lot of properties that are owned by snow birds (people who migrate to warmer climates during the winter).  These properties sit abandoned for this period of time and present a warm safe haven for wild animals seeking shelter.  In North America this happens to be Vermin, Birds, Bats, and Raccoons and an occasional bear that finds a nice place to den under the front or back porch.  The homeowner either returns from their winter escape with an odorous surprise or is awakened by noises or they find their soft and gutter are all of a sudden on the ground.  

There are a couple of common risks associated with this type of cleanup. 

• Parasites - Fleas, Ticks and roundworm.  We all know what flea and ticks are but what about Baylisascaris.  According to the CDC. Baylisascaris infection is caused by a roundworm found in raccoons. This roundworm can infect people as well as a variety of other animals, including dogs. Human infections are rare, but can be severe if the parasites invade the eye (ocular larva migrans), organs (visceral larva migrans) or the brain (neural larva migrans). Parasites and their eggs are often very difficult to deactivate and require the use of some specialized chemicals. 
• Infectious Agents - One of the major concerns with having wild mammals invading a house is Rabies virus. Did animal control get them all out?  This had happened to a technician of ours.  Although nobody was bitten, it is always a concern that as your are removing insulation there could be a sick or rabid bat or Raccoon sheltering under the insulation. There is no cure for Rabies.  According to the CDC, Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites.

 The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

Leptospirosis - According to the CDC the bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Many different kinds of wild and domestic animals carry the bacterium.

These can include, but are not limited to: Cattle, Pigs, Horses, Dogs, Rodents
Wild animals When these animals are infected, they may have no symptoms of the disease.

Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years.

Humans can become infected through:

Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals.
Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters. Person to person transmission is rare.

Plague - Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague. Plague is infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague. Without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death. Presently, human plague infections continue to occur in rural areas in the western United States, but significantly more cases occur in parts of Africa and Asia.

Handling the proper cleanup and remediation takes a bit of professional knowledge and is best handled by companies with bio recovery experience.   The safety of the technicians performing the work and the occupants of the building are of paramount concern.   Personal Protective Equipment and proper engineering controls are a must.  Planking and even temporary air conditioning may be required to prevent ceiling breaches and heat stroke as in it can reach above 140 degrees F in some attics during summer months when animal intrusion is limited and remediation/repairs can take place.  

If you have an issue with an wildlife, the first thing to do is to call a wildlife control specialist and have them removed.  In addition check to see if there is any landscaping close to the home that gives animals like raccoons an easy access to your dwelling.  You might need to address the removal of a tree or shrub.  For bats consider gaps in ridge vents or in roof flashing that can provide them access.  When the wildlife has been trapped and or removed, reach out to a Bio Recovery Company to assess the damages and provide you a quote for services.   In addition you might want to consider putting an insurance claim to cover the damages.  Each insurance policy is different so please consult with your agent to see if there are any exclusions or limits to the policy.  

CLEAN-TEC of Santa Cruz

Since 1974 Clean-Tec Restoration has provided quality service to the Santa Cruz area. They provide emergency services in mold, fire, flooding, and water damage. They are trained professionals ready to restore your property to pre-loss conditions. They are available 24/7 and on location within 60 minutes. Certified and insured family owned firm with a licensed environmental hygienist on staff.

http://cleantecsantacruz.com/why-choose-us.html

By Ed Cross, “The Restoration Lawyer”

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the level of scrutiny faced by bio recovery companies, as the general public grows wary of opportunists preying on the vulnerable, and COVID-19 consumer scams are widespread, including offers for testing that is bogus. The industry faces significant risk exposure from a vast array of laws and regulations that dictate what claims can be made about disinfection, and how jobs must be performed.

A Texas cleaning franchise received a lot of negative attention after securing a $1.4 million contract to perform disinfection services for a school district. The company sold the job with claims that its electrostatic spraying process would provide a residual “kill” of coronavirus for 90 days, and that students would be “protected for 90 days.” The President of the PTA said “If it gives parents peace of mind about sending their kids to school, then great, it’s money well spent,” but admitted that the District might have given parents a false sense of security. The company later denied saying its process would prevent COVID-19 on surfaces for 90 days, and the franchisor told NBC that the EPA would not allow a 90-day claim.

Unbeknownst to many, products that are effective against viruses are considered pesticides and must be registered with the EPA. They may not be sold or distributed unless they have been properly tested and are EPA registered.

Just because a product label states that it kills 99.5% of viruses does not necessarily mean it will kill SARS-CoV-2. Before a provider can make claims about a disinfectant on its web site or in literature, the EPA must authorize the claims.

The EPA is authorized to take enforcement action to prevent the sale or distribution of disinfectants with false or misleading claims on their labeling. EPA is also authorized to take enforcement action to prevent the sale or distribution of unregistered disinfectants when the seller or distributor is making claims that they work against SARS-CoV-2, and to prevent the sale or distribution of registered pesticides when SARS-CoV-2 claims are made that are not permitted by the terms of their registration.

EPA will not register a product until it has determined the product will not pose an unreasonable risk and that it will be effective when used according to the label directions. The EPA’s List N is a list of disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria for SARS-CoV-2. An often-overlooked nuance is that the placement on List N merely means that EPA has registered the product as meeting the agency’s criteria for effectiveness. It does not mean EPA has “approved” the product. Many service providers are facing legal peril because they have falsely promoted their products as “EPA-approved,” when in fact, they are only registered. This is not to say the EPA never approves products. In July 2020, EPA approved two Lysol products based on laboratory testing showing they are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides. FIFRA prohibits the sale or distribution of pesticides that are unregistered, misbranded (e.g., their labeling includes misleading claims), and the sale or distribution of registered pesticides with claims that substantially differ from those allowed under the terms of their registration. FIFRA also prohibits the sale of misbranded pesticide devices.

The EPA warns consumers to be wary about claims made about machines used to mitigate viruses. EPA does not register these machines. The devices may bear an EPA “establishment number,” but the EPA does not review machines or claims made about them. Machines are also subject to FIFRA’s prohibition against false claims. The EPA has expressed concerns that fogging and misting methods may not be adequately effective because they result in the delivery of a smaller amounts of the active ingredient, and particle sizes which may be less effective than those delivered by spraying or wiping. It also expressed concern if no pre-cleaning is performed before fogging. The EPA will examine all efficacy data about fogging and misting products and practitioners should monitor the EPA’s reports closely, being cautious in making claims about fogging and misting.

“The label is the law” and any cleaning company that promotes or uses a pesticide product inconsistent with its labeling faces serious legal and financial consequences.

Unbeknownst to many, at least 16 states require licenses and/or certifications to apply antimicrobials. Many companies unknowingly run afoul of these rules, which are not widely publicized. The rules can be difficult to find and decipher. A collection has been developed and is available here.

The misuse of pesticides presents significant risk to workers. Any work related injury that requires medical treatment beyond first aid or time away from work is a “recordable injury” under OSHA rules. All work-related hospitalizations must be reported to OSHA. Businesses are subject to a $5,000 penalty for the failure to report. They are subject to penalties of more than $13,000 per violation when a workplace hazard could cause serious physical harm, and more than $130,000 when the employer knowingly fails to comply with a legal requirement or acts with plain indifference to employee safety.

As businesses re-open, they face increased risk from the transmission of COVID-19 within the workplace. The CDC recommends that employers consider conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks. Employers must maintain all information about employee illness as confidential medical record in compliance with the ADA. As of March 2020, employers may measure employees’ body temperature. As with all medical information, the fact that an employee had a fever or other symptoms would be subject to ADA confidentiality requirements.

The exposure does not end there. Service providers are at risk of liability claims from customers who allege that workers in their properties infected occupants with COVID-19. To prevail in these claims, the customers need not definitively prove the source of the illness with scientific certainty. The burden of proof in a civil case is a preponderance of the evidence. The plaintiff need only prove that it was “more likely than not” that the defendant caused the illness. A mere probability will suffice, which is easier to prove than one might assume.

Businesses can protect themselves from this risk with contracts that have carefully-crafted scopes of work, and strong hold harmless and indemnity provisions. Unfortunately, many disinfection contracts over-promise and leave the service provider vulnerable to claims of breach of contract and misrepresentation. Good contracts are cheap insurance.

“The Restoration Lawyer” Ed Cross specializes in representation of cleaning, restoration, and bio recovery companies across the U.S. His web site is TheRestorationLawyer.com, and he can be reached at EdCross@EdCross.com or by calling 760 773-4002.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes and is not intended to be legal advice. Each case is different and this is not a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.

TheRestorationLawyer.com

After five years with three bill designations, the first bill (HB 149) dies in Committee, the second bill (SB 153) is Vetoed on the last day, but Georgia House Bill 417 makes it to the Georgia Governor’s desk for a historical signature as it becomes a law. Thus, creating the nation’s first Crime and Trauma Cleanup Law to regulate the industry.  Gordy Powell President of the *Georgia Bio Recovery Association and co-owner of Georgia Clean and Associates, LLC stated “This is a huge game changer for the betterment of the Trauma Cleanup Industry.  This new law will not only protect victims from being re-victimized, but Georgia will lead the country for the betterment of the industry and its victims. “ 

The registry and regulations of what is now Georgia Act 566 will be processed and overseen by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.  Business owners will be required to be fingerprinted, background checked, provide proof of General Liability Insurance and proof of being able to show that they can obtain a surety bond.  Companies able to provide these services will have to also be registered with the Georgia EPD and show that the business has a relationship with an autoclave for the proper cradle to grave operations for all generated RTW / Regulated Trauma Waste.  Currently this will be a registration process for the business to show to the State of Georgia that the company owner(s) have met all requirements by the state to become a credible service provider for crime and trauma cleaning services in Georgia.  The goal is in a couple of years to return to lawmakers and have Act 566 amended to where not only the business is registered, but the individual biorecovery technician can become licensed in the State of Georgia showing they have accomplished the level of education required to become a licensed biorecovery service provider.  To renew a license the individual biorecovery technician will also have to show where they have achieved Continuing Education credits.  

So, what was it that lead state law makers to act on regulating this industry?  Well, like every industry there are some bad apples that left a bitter taste on how some consumers were being treated by a few unethical or untrained companies.  After lawmakers were shown documentation of how some consumers were being revictimized by either untrained or unethical business practices, it was decided that a standard needed to be initiated and put in place.  Some cases of revictimization were so intent that lawmakers could see a pattern of predatory practices.  Some of the grievances accumulated were of companies that had little or no schooling and were missing areas were blood splatter or tissue fragments were found by a family member that would horrify them into reliving the tragedy.  In other proven cases families of an unattended death (decomposition) would be told that “everything” in the dwelling was contaminated, and the house would need to be emptied.  Further investigations would uncover the contents of the home showing up at the business owners yard sale or would become a flea market find.  Other families would find themselves a victim of price gouging to only find that a lien had been placed on the family home.  One of the most horrific abuses uncovered was the dumping of human remains in local landfills.  Yes, there were companies not only dumping human remains in a landfill disguised in a black contractor bag from cleaning a trauma scene, but some companies were found discarding human remains in dumpsters behind shopping centers.  This would create an entirely new death scene investigation for public safety and detectives.  Only to be thankful that the company that was dumping the human remains was caught on video surveillance cameras.  “I’m glad to sign HB 417 to create a level playing field in the crime scene clean-up industry and protect Georgians from bad actors,” Governor Kemp said. 

As more information is shared on this new law, many companies providing trauma cleaning services are reaching out to learn more about the state’s registration process.  To date there are merely eight companies that are properly registered with the Georgia State EPD and the number of companies looking to register has far surpassed that number.  This now proves how many service providers may not know how to properly remediate a trauma scene, much less how to dispose of human remains respectfully. 

There are those that strongly oppose government regulations.  This new law was created more for the victim and the surviving family.  Having the business owner(s) made accountable was just a byproduct of the bill. Sometimes the lock on the gate is simply there to keep an honest person honest.    

So, how does this impact or aid the insurance industry in processing claims?

Companies that provide crime and trauma cleanup services must provide a “Good Faith” estimate to the homeowner, family member or acting agent before providing services. 

If a company provided trauma cleaning services, and that said company is not a registered company or firm with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office and cannot provide a valid Georgia Trauma Services Registry Number, the carrier has the right to refuse payment on the claim and the property owner(s), family members and its heirs are protected for any acts of collections and/or liens on the dwelling.  This is to include any suite or collection actions against the carrier.

By January 2021, you will be able to locate and cross reference a registered service provider in the state of Georgia either on the state webpage (no domain name yet), or by visiting the GaBRA.org webpage under Service Providers. 

So, how does this benefit the Bio Recovery Industry and my business?

Even though this bill is set up under regulations, it’s primary purpose to protect the consumer from predatory practices from bad actors in the industry.  Georgia Act 566 makes it illegal for an employer to ask or force an employee to clean up a trauma scene.  Actions can be taken against the business owner(s) and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000 per incident and additional punitive actions by the Georgia Secretary of Sates Office.  This also gives the employee who was forced to clean a trauma scene the right to take legal action against the employer.  Settlements in the past have favorably averaged $80,000 for the employee.  So, in laymen terms a convenient store manage cannot ask an employee to clean up a trauma scene.  Even property managers are not excluded.  An apartment manager cannot ask a maintenance man or porter to clean up a scene.  The property manager or management company must hire a vetted company that is on the state registry list.  Should the property manager or owner not hire a company on the registry list they can also be fined and sanctioned by the Secretary of State’s Office.  This can be a tremendous marketing tool for trauma cleanup companies.  The bottom line is that if there is a crime, accident, trauma or death scene in the State of Georgia, it must be remediated by a company or firm that is listed on the Georgia SOS webpage.  GaBRA.org will also maintain a duplicate list of the same service providers that will be more easily accessible than the State of Georgia’s Registry List.

What else do I need to know?

In the event of a declared public health emergency or a state of emergency, the Georgia SOS shall be authorized to issue a temporary registration for compliant business owner(s) for up to 90 days or at the end of the event.  Act 566 does not pertain to the medical health care industry and protects homeowners that may want to clean a trauma scene themselves.  This also protects the homeowner and helpers should they invite their church members to assist in the cleanup.           

1.      What would you say is the most challenging in the industry?

The most challenging issue that I have encountered in this industry is the lack of knowledge for proper disinfection. So many landlords and home owners do not realize the potential hazards that are involved in the cleanup of blood and bodily fluids. I have to educate them on the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens and biohazards like Hepatitis, HIV and MRSA. They often look at the estimate and can't get past the price. Once I explain how improper cleanup can raise health and safety risks as well as cause more damage, they tend to understand the protocol much better.

2.      What more would you like to see from ABRA?

ABRA is the industry leader. I think education about ABRA is key. Today more than ever, social media is at the forefront of everything. Our members need to continue to push ABRA on all social platforms.

3. Recommendations to those joining or wanting to join this industry?

Proper training for this industry is a must. It will protect you and your clients. A career in the bio hazard industry is not for everyone. It's a physically and emotionally demanding job. No two jobs are the same. Every situation is unique. However, it is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. 

https://benecorps.com/

The American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) enters into a partnership agreement with seven other industry organizations - the first of its kind for the industry

The purpose of the MOU is to identify and recognize current standards and credentials developed and administered by the Allied Industry Partner organizations, and related industry organizations which includes ABRA's Bio Recovery Site Risk Assessment Guidelines and its Certified Bio Recovery Technician, Supervisor and Master certification programs.

Organizations comprising the Allied Industry Partners group are; the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA); the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA),  Environmental Information Association (EIA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the Basement Health Association (BHA). 

“With all of the confusion of what is a 2nd party certificate of training and what is a third party peer reviewed Certification/Credential program, this will help recognize, align and help define a level of industry professionalism” added Licker. “The combined experience and expertise of all those involved is unmatched and the Allied Industry Partners are going to leverage that collaboration in support of each other and the broader IAQ industry.” added Lantz. 

When the first responders or environmental health officials have left the scene and finished their investigation, family members are often left with dealing with an unforgettable mess or contaminated property.  Crime/Trauma or infectious disease events happen every day and this is where the unsung heroes of the American Bio Recovery Association can help.  The member companies and certified technicians within ABRA are among the highest trained and regarded in the field of responding and mitigating the unthinkable. ABRA Active Member companies and technicians voluntarily invest in ABRA's peer reviewed third-party certification programs. They are dedicated to being the best at what they do.  With so many companies claiming they are certified, the professionals of ABRA offer the consumer peace of mind knowing that when they search for help on this website, they are getting the best care in the industry.

What is Bio Recovery?

Bio Recovery is the act of assessing risk, mitigating threats and remediating conditions resulting from the release of biological hazards. This may include crime and trauma mitigation (bloodborne and body fluids), suicide cleanup, outbreak response, zoonotic diseases, foodborne diseases, public health threats, illicit drugs and clandestine drug labs.

For more information on the American Bio Recovery Association, please visit our website at www.americanbioreocovery.org  

For a media contact, please contact us. 

Official Release from the Allied Industry Partners Pending. 

Novel Corona Virus or Covid-19, as it is now known, has started to move in to North America. People are getting really nervous.  Americans are being evacuated from China, Italy, Cruise ships and are currently being sent to designated quarantine facilities on military bases throughout North America.  Quarantine is often used as a means when such an event happens where the epidemiology supports a high level of infectability from direct contact between humans or humans and animals.  This is why quarantine is set up during such events. The enveloped virus does not generally survive very long without a host. If you quarantine to limit its ability to host, you gain control and community immunity is built. You just hope people do build immunity or a vaccine becomes available.  The real opportunity or exposure risk remains with those who are in direct contact with people or body fluids with significant viral loads. Remember, it only took one viral particle of Ebola to cause an active infection.  The highest exposure risk is primarily in Biological Containment wards where they have symptomatic patients in isolation;  The other would primarily be in Quarantine operations themselves.  This where ABRA member companies can offer services and boots on the ground to assist in containing body fluids and management of waste streams.      

The psychological impact to the global community is a huge "hot button" for marketing opportunities and a wave of misinformation.  There is a good article in the NY Times that describes this to a T.   The article quotes " Alarming, but a much more common illness, influenza, kills about 400,000 people every year, including 34,200 Americans last flu season and 61,099 the year before."  The issue is that there are till a lot of unknowns regarding the virulence of this particular coronavirus and its true ability to kill people especially the elderly and compromised immune.  Data shifts every day. 

I have witnessed so much advertisement and marketing to capitalize on this that it is borderline ridiculous.  There is plenty of guidance documents on proper cleaning out there to educate your staff on.  Have a look at the ABRA Guidlines and Standards web page for Educational Links.  Use the BSRA Guidelines as a basis of project risk evaluation.  Many people will call you to disinfect for purposes of mitigation of public perception yet clinically your actions may have little impact on respiratory virus outbreak that primarily supports human to human transfer.  

There are interesting studies on a wide variety of enveloped viruses and their their overall infectability from environmental surfaces. The environmental significance of such viruses remains low on environmental surfaces as virulence and viral load generally drops dramatically once it is in the environment outside of body fluids. Watching TV, I see response teams spraying down people getting off of airplanes with electrostatic sprayers and the Chinese government fogging god knows what into the air and people are breathing the fumigant. This may irritate the lungs causing increased susceptibility to the virus and may be doing more harm than good. It is better to be safe than sorry and treat it as guilty until proven innocent by science. Proper Cleaning and then Disinfection on high traffic touch points will only be as good as the next asymptomatic or symptomatic person cross-contaminates it again. This is again why we quarantine.  Here is a good article on the environmental significance of enveloped viruses published form PBS that describes this well.  So stay diligent and educated during events like these.   If you are in a position or opportunity to respond to such emergency actions, mitigate according to the EPA label of the registered virucide you are employing.  Make sure it is EPA registered for corona virus and for non-enveloped virus like norovirus to be conservative.  Remember to clean then disinfect the surface for the proper dwell time. Pay attention to high traffic touch points.  Finally, please be aware of the OSHA training requirements.  For those of us in the United States, have a look at the definitions in the HAZWOPER and Bloodborne Pathogen standard that apply to biological response. You may have exposure as an employer here. Misinformation is everywhere as people are in a hurry to get information out, the poor use of technical semantics and the use of wrong terminology is everywhere including at the federal level.  Remember the COVID-19 is the disease casued by the Novel Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2).  

Stay safe out there folks. Wash your hands, tap feet instead of shaking hands, limit your cheek kisses, try and keep from touching your face and stay away from symptomatic people.  If you are sick please stay home. 

Thomas Licker, CEICR, CBRM

This outbreak is starting to make its way through Asia and now the first case has been reported in North America.  Stay safe and keep your hands washed.  Have you ever wondered why people are wearing masks/respirators on airplanes?  They are attempting to protect their fellow passengers because they could be infected but not yet showing symptoms.  Some may think it protects them from others as well as it can help prevent them from directly itching their nose or touching their mouth, mitigating the risk of cross-contamination.  Enveloped viruses are generally on the easy to kill scale by common disinfectants. K-Listed disinfectants by the EPA maybe the preferred products to address this virus.    

From Wikipedia - 

Coronaviruses are species of virus belonging to the subfamily Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae, in the order Nidovirales.^[1][2] Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and with a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The genomic size of coronaviruses ranges from approximately 26 to 32 kilobases, the largest for an RNA virus.

The name "coronavirus" is derived from the Latin corona, meaning crown or halo, and refers to the characteristic appearance of virions (the infective form of the virus) under electron microscopy (E.M.) with a fringe of large, bulbous surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a royal crown or of the solar corona. This morphology is created by the viral spike (S) peplomers, which are proteins that populate the surface of the virus and determine host tropism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/health/cdc-coronavirus.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/21/health/wuhan-coronavirus-first-us-case-cdc-bn/index.html

CDC Information on Corona Virus can be found here. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

Bio Recovery Today - Each quarter the BRT Newsletter will provide information on the companies of the month, important upcoming events, and relevant current issues regarding our industry. This issue will share summit takeaways and a preview into the 2020 International Bio Recovery Summit that will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando Fla. There is also a brief article by Scott Vogel regarding the potential exposure to the OSHA HAZWOPER standard 1910.120 and what it means to employers in the United States. In addition we had fantastic paper on Personal Protective Equipment by Pedro Badoni

Enjoy

BIO RECOVERY TODAY FALL 2019 ISSUE

An Osseo company makes a living going where most cleaners wouldn't dare: crime scenes.

http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2019/november/the-worst-cleanups

In researching this question, one Letter of Interpretation regarding the biohazard industry
dated May 22, 2007, can be found. OSHA responded to a letter written by Mr. Dave Middleton in regards to the application of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to contractors where a clean-up of blood is conducted following an accident. OSHA's response was what you would expect. They wrote “Yes, the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard would apply to the cleanup work done by your employees. 29 CFR 1910.1030(b) defines "occupational exposure" as "reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials [OPIM] that may result from the performance of an employee's duties."(OSHA, 2007)

Looking into OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)(OSHA, 1970) as amended according to the Needle-stick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, prescribes safeguards to protect workers against the health hazards caused by bloodborne pathogens. The requirements address items such as exposure control plans, universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, laboratories, Hepatitis B vaccination, post-exposure follow-up, hazard communication and training and record keeping.

The Standard places requirements on employers whose workers can be reasonably anticipated to be in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), such as unfixed human tissues and certain body fluids. Reading further into the Standard, the lack of information and personal protection for those in the biohazard industry responding to incidents like crime scenes, suicides, unattended deaths and accidents causing the release of pathogens just didn’t seem like enough. Focusing on the history of the Standard, in 1991, OSHA published the 1910.1030 Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. This Standard was created and published to protect all healthcare workers approximately six million from the risk of exposure to pathogens, focusing mainly on HIV and Hepatitis B viruses in the healthcare setting. Although the Standard was amended in 2000, it still doesn’t fit our industry nor did it give us a reliable standard or training platform and information to protect those in the industry.

For the last few years, industry leaders started to look into the 1910.120 Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard and started to conclude this was the standard our industry should be following. With so many opinions, negative feedback and disagreements, no true standard requirements could be determined and the major factor was cost.

In recent years, the BioHazard Mitigation field has developed a stigma of high financial rewards regarding its event-driven opportunity. The popularity of the field continued to grow, especially with Hollywood getting into the action with movies and shows such as Spotless, Cleaner and Sunshine Cleaning promoting our industry. The industry has seen an alarming number of companies being attracted to the field with a lack of understanding and knowledge of what it takes to get into the industry. This has allowed a lot of associations, standards bodies, independent schools, franchises and training platforms to promote heavily into the industry; this, in turn, caused training sessions and course offerings that were not informative and actually could have placed people at risk.

OSHA 1910.5(c)(1) states, “If a particular standard is specifically applicable to a condition,
practice, means, method, operation, or process, it shall prevail over any different general
standard which might otherwise be applicable to the same condition, practice, means, method, operation, or process. (OSHA, 1970) So the real question is which standard fit best?"

On September 6, 2019, a response to the above question finally guided us, does OSHA
require employers to train employees that perform biohazard remediation according to the
training requirements outlined in its HAZWOPER 1910.120 Standard?

The first paragraph said it all but we need to break it down.

“Generally, biohazard remediation workers who respond to a declared emergency for the release of a hazardous substance at a particular site must be trained in accordance with the HAZWOPER standard at 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)”. (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], 2019) After reading the response, a question remained - What is an “Emergency” and what does OSHA consider a “Hazardous Substance”?

Under Definitions - OSHA 1910.120
Hazardous substance means -- any substance designated or listed under (A) through
(D) of this definition, exposure to which results or may result in adverse effects on the
health or safety of employees:

[B] Any biological agent and other disease causing agent which after release into the
environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or assimilation into any person,
either directly from the environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will or
may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral abnormalities, cancer,
genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or
physical deformations in such persons or their offspring.

Hazardous waste means --
[B] Those substances defined as hazardous wastes in 49 CFR 171.8.
Hazardous waste operation means any operation conducted within the scope of this
standard. Hazardous waste site or Site means any facility or location within the scope of this standard at which hazardous waste operations take place.

Health hazard means a chemical or a pathogen where acute or chronic health effects
may occur in exposed employees. It also includes stress due to temperature extremes.
The term health hazard includes chemicals that are classified in accordance with the
Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, as posing one of the following
hazardous effects: Acute toxicity (any route of exposure); skin corrosion or irritation;
serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell
mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single or
repeated exposure); aspiration toxicity or simple asphyxiant. (See Appendix A to §
1910.1200—Health Hazard Criteria (Mandatory) for the criteria for determining whether a
chemical is classified as a health hazard.) (OSHA, 1970)

Now that we understand that OSHA declares and considers biologicals’ to be a Hazardous
Substance we needed to find out what it declares to be an “Emergency”.

Within 1910.120, emergency response or responding to emergencies means a response effort by employees from outside the immediate release area or by other designated responders (i.e.,mutual aid groups, local fire departments, etc.) to an occurrence which results, or is likely to result, in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance. Responses for incidental releases of hazardous substances where the substance can be absorbed, neutralized or otherwise controlled at the time of release by employees in the immediate release area or by maintenance personnel are not considered to be emergency responses within the scope of this Standard. Also, responses to releases of hazardous substances where there is no potential safety or health hazard i.e., fire, explosion, or chemical exposure, are not considered to be emergency responses. (OSHA, 1970)

“Post Emergency Response’ means that portion of an emergency response performed after the immediate threat of a release has been stabilized or eliminated.

Let’s talk about “where the substance can be absorbed, neutralized, or otherwise controlled at the time of release by employees in the immediate release area or by maintenance personnel are not considered to be emergency responses.” This is a statement many people try to use regarding the requirement.

In the industry, we are not employees of those who have contracted us out, therefore, we cannot be declared as maintenance personnel, so we do fall under the Emergency
Response or the Post-Emergency Response cleanup activities.

OSHA did put out an article declaring what biologic agents are (Biological Agents, OSHA 1970)

CONCLUSIONS
From the determination of these definitions, the Letter of Interpretation and facts stated
within, one can conclude that if a site owner calls you and has an uncontrolled release or
exposure risk, this constitutes an “Emergency Response”. As an industry, our objective is to
mitigate pathogenic exposure risks. Looking at all of this collectively, one can conclude that
OSHA 1910.120 and OSHA 1910.1030 are both required as a baseline minimum for all
opportunities which meet these definitions. These two baseline standards should be
recommended prerequisites for any subsequent third-party certification or niche educational
programs. Hopefully, professionals and end-users of these services will see the gap of proper training within our industry before any major problems arise. Please see attached Standard Interpretation from 9/06/2019.

The article is written by Scott W. Vogel, CEO of Emergi-Clean Inc., a family owned and
operated business in New Jersey handling Bio Hazard Mitigation for 24 years. Scott Is
also the director of the East Coast Training Centers for ehs inc., a California based Health and Safety Consulting and Training Company. Scott sits on the government affairs committee for American Bio Recovery Association and Indoor Air Quality Association. For further information you can reach Scott at svogel@emergiclean.com.

Co Authored By: Thomas Licker (President), Eric Morse (Education Committee) from
the American Bio Recovery Association. A Non-Profit Third Party Educational/Certification Body for the Bio Hazard Industry.

To clarify, this is a informational article and makes general recommendations and is open to pubic comment.  Not currently an official stance of the Association.  

Works Cited
Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA]. (2019, 09 06). Standard Interpretation. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Enforcement. D.C: Patrick J. Kapust.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2007, 05 22). Standard Interpretation.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Enforcement. D.C: Richard
E. Fairfax.

Occuptional Safety and Health Administration:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2007-05-22
Occupational Safety and Health Administration . (n.d.). Standard 1910.1030. From Occupational Safety and Health Administration : https://www.osha.gov/laws-
regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030

Occupational Safety and Health Administration . (n.d.). Standard 1910.1030. From Occupational Safety and Health Administration : https://www.osha.gov/laws-
regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.120

Occupational Safety and Health Administration . (n.d.). Standard 1910.1030. From Occupational Safety and Health Administration : https://www.osha.gov/laws-
regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.105

ABRA Member - Gordy Powell of Georgia Clean

VETO GA SB-153 aka V13

VETO, Webster defines it as a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.  I describe it as a Very Engaging Terrifying Outcome. 

In the political area it was officially stated in V13 that GA SB-153 never was never sent through GORRC (Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council).  GORRC’s job is to ensure that if the State of Georgia is considering any new occupational regulation whether the unregulated practice of an occupation may harm or endanger the health, safety, and welfare of citizens of this state and whether the potential for harm is recognizable.  After the dust settled that was a political ploy to ensure to a certain political faction as to who oversees the powers of the state, I learned a long time ago to ALWAYS have a plan “B” in place, and that we do have in GA HB-417.  The day we place a bill in the Senate Hopper, a duplicate version of the bill was placed in the House Hopper.  A summer meeting will be held at the capitol on moving forward with a bill that is not only needed in the State of Georgia, but on to set a foundation for other bills to be duplicated and enhanced in other states.   Yes, the five stages of grief were well in play, and it took some time to face what all really happened.  I look forward to the International Bio-Summit conference this August in Texas and share how you can engage in legislation in your state and to learn from what we have done in Georgia.

Gordy Powell sits on ABRA's Marketing, Public Relations and Government Affairs Committee.  

ABRA Technician Certifications  are

expiring June 30th 2019 and are due for renewal

Fellow ABRA Technicians and Member Company Representatives,

Technicians that are due for certification renewal, please log into your profile to renew your expiring certification today.  It is important to renew so that your technicians can be validated by website end users under our Validate a Technician search. 

If you are an ABRA Member Company, you must maintain at least (one) certified technician on staff to remain in good standing according to ABRA bylaws.  

Please be sure to upload your Continuing Educational Units in your Technician Profile (Not to be confused with your Active Member Company Profile)  

User Log In: Log In

If you are having trouble signing in please contact us. 

2019 International Bio Recovery Summit in Ft. Worth registration is open.  Please register through your Technician profile so that your CEU's can be directly accounted for.  After you sign into your profile you will see the Calendar on the right hand side of the page.  Click on Attendee Registration and you will find the conference info click on attendee registration in the link at the bottom of the page.  Do not forget to reserve your room at the Ft. Worth Hilton.  There are a limited number of rooms available at the ABRA discounted rate. 

We are going to have a fantastic speaker line up.  

Sincerely,

Thomas Licker, CBRM

President 

Candida Auris is a fungus that grows as a yeast.  It is easily spread through out the skin surfaces on the body and can be an environmental threat for cross-contamination.  This fungal pathogen is now considered a Superbug and has spread quickly in environments with compromised immune patients and residents. C. auris can cause invasive candidiasis (fungemia) in which the bloodstream, the central nervous system, and internal organs are infected. Most people who are healthy will not contract this microorganism, but some people may be colonized with out showing symptoms.  Rapid testing of incoming patients may be required to help mitigate the risk to the existing patient population. 

American Bio Recovery Association Certified Member Companies and Technicians can assist Healthcare and Assisted living facilities in mitigation of Candida Auris.  If you need help please contact us or visit our website to find an ABRA Certified Member Company near you.

For more on Candida Auris please visit the CDC Fact sheets.

K-Listed EPA Registered disinfectants are recommended for purposes of environmental infection control.

Sources: Wikipedia and Centers for Disease Control

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the ABRA certified company of the month we are highlighting for March is part of a franchise team that loves their bright green and orange, SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties.  This company is located in Salem, Virginia and first opened its doors back in 1999 by owners, Quinn and Lisa Mongan.  An operation that started out of their own home has now grown into a multi-building operation that contains offices, two separate contents cleaning facilities, an on-site storage, and over 60 employees.  To learn more about how SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties experience working with ABRA, we spoke with Quinn Mongan. 

Could you give us a summary of the services you provide?

Restoration:

·         Fire, Smoke, and Soot

·         Water Removal & Dehumidification

·         Mold Mitigation & Remediation

·         Catastrophic Storm Response

·         Move Outs and Contents Restoration

·         Electronics & Equipment’s

·         Document Drying

·         Full Service – Class A Contractor

Cleaning:

·         Biohazard, Crime Scene & Vandalism

·         Air Ducts & HVAC

·         Carpet, Upholstery, Drapes & Blinds

·         Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors

·         Deodorization

How did you first become involved in ABRA?

            Mongan first got SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties involved in ABRA back in 2017 when he was interested in learning more about the industry.  His goal was to gain more knowledge on the Bio Recovery Industry that went beyond the trauma and crime-scene cleanups, and more into the environmental disinfections such as outbreak response and advanced decontamination.  After much research, he found that ABRA was the association with the most knowledge on the subject matter and he attended the certification class being held by another SERVPRO franchise in Maryland. 

How has your experience been working with the association thus far?

            Mongan expressed that the knowledge and experience that is available through the connections and network that ABRA has to offer has been a wonderful asset, and also has brought better recognition to the company.  He also found the SteraMist System by TOMI Environmental Solutions through the association which has been a great tool for bringing the company to the next level in Bio Recovery and Remediation jobs.

In your opinion, why should other companies look into joining the association?

            “There are years of experience you can pull from.  From the most basic of trauma cleanups to the most extreme bio-hazard, there are always knowledgeable peers available who are willing to give you advice.”  Mongan expressed there is always more to learn, and the association is a wonderful resource for any company interested in the Bio Recovery field to do just that!

Our February ABRA certified company of the month is Bio-Scene Recovery, Inc.  The Ohio based Company first opened its doors in 1996 and is highly specialized in dealing with the containment, removal, and disinfection of biohazards from scenes of homicide, suicide, traumatic injury or undiscovered death.  Owner, Jim Monath, was one of the original founding members for the American Bio Recovery Association, so he has been heavily involved in the association since the start.  Monath has served as both the Treasurer and President of the association at separate times, and his wife, Tami Monath, has also served as ABRA’s Treasurer.  We spoke with Monath directly to learn more about his company, Bio-Scene Recovery, Inc., and his experience working with the association since the beginning.

Bio-Scene Recovery Specializes in:

·         Crime Scene Cleanup

·         Homicide, Suicide, Undiscovered Death, Natural Death, Accident and                                    Traumatic Injury Scenes

·         Disinfection

·         Filth / Trash

·         Houses Unfit for Human Habitation

·         Pet / Animal Waste Problems

·         Odor Removal Services, Including Animal Odor

·         Grief Counseling and Victim Assistance Referral

·         Blood and Body Fluid Cleanup

·         Meth lab Cleanup and Testing

Bio-Scene Recovery Credentials:

·         Ohio EPA Registered Medical Waste Generator

·         Ohio EPA Registered Medical Waste Transporter

·         OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Materials Technician

·         OSHA Compliant Site Techs

·         ABRA Certified Recovery Technician

·         40hr HAZWOPPER Certified Techs

How has your experience been working with the association, and could you talk about a time when being involved with ABRA helped you stand out or win over a job?

Monath has worked alongside ABRA since the start of both his company and the association.  Bio-Scene Recovery does a lot of work for Safeguard Properties, a local property management company.  Monath expressed the importance of the company’s ABRA certification because it is required for them to be an ABRA member to be able to be a bio-hazard provider for Safeguard Properties.  It’s just one of the many ways ABRA can help you.

In your opinion, why should other companies look into joining the association?

Monath explained how, “You can’t go wrong by joining ABRA.  The networking alone is priceless.  We started ABRA to assist and help each other, share ideas, and to promote and grow the industry.  And with that came education, training, and certification.  The knowledge within ABRA is remarkable.  If you ever have a problem or need guidance on a job site with a situation that you just are unsure of, you can always help or assistance thru ABRA. Again, priceless.”

A new year, means 12 new ABRA certified companies to spotlight!  To kick off January, we spoke with Stuart Frandsen, the Owner of Alabama Bio-Clean INC., to learn more about his experience as an ABRA certified company.  Alabama Bio-Clean has been dedicated to serving the entire state of Alabama in crisis and biohazard cleanup business since 2009, and prides itself on its outstanding service, compassionate care, uncompromised discretion, and their attention to detail. 

Alabama Bio-Clean Services:

Blood Cleanup

·         Crime Scenes

·         Accident Scenes

·         Suicides

·         Decomposed Body Scenes

Drug Lab Cleanup

·         Clandestine Drug Lab Decontamination

Hoarding Cleanup

·         Removal, Cleanup, and Sanitation

·         Gross Filth Cleaning and Sanitizing

Accident Cleanup

·         Removal of Biohazardous Materials following an industrial or vehicular accident

Sewer Leak Cleanup

·         Cleanup following a sewer backup or leak

Professional Services

·         Sanitizing and Decontamination services for:

o   Law Enforcement

o   Restaurants

o   Health Facilities

o   Gyms

o   Labs

How long have you been involved with ABRA, and what was your driving factor to join the association?

Stuart Frandsen first became involved with ABRA three years ago in the hopes of developing both himself and his company, Alabama Bio-Clean INC., further professionally.

How has your experience been working with the association thus far?

Frandsen has seen a positive outcome since joining ABRA back in 2015.   Not only does the association allow for great networking opportunities, but it allows for companies and individuals alike to always have an opportunity to learn more and make new connections.  Due to the variety of backgrounds, locations, and experience levels of the ABRA members, there is an extensive knowledge base that individuals can pull from and reach out to at any point in time.

In your opinion, why should other companies look into joining the association?

People and companies should join the association to advance their abilities professionally.  Networking among some of the best people in the trade can genuinely help you expand your depth in the field of biological decontamination.

This December our ABRA certified company of the month is Bio-Clean of New Jersey.  Bio-Clean of New Jersey first became an official ABRA member in 2001, but has been in the industry since 1994.  With their team of trained and certified Bio-hazard Remediation Technicians, this company has been providing the Middle Atlantic States with trustworthy, efficient, and thorough crime scene cleaning and bio-hazard decontamination services for 23 years.  To learn more about this company’s experience with ABRA, we spoke with Andrew Yurchuck, the CEO of Bio-Clean, who also serves on the Board of Directors of ABRA.

Bio-Clean of New Jersey Services Provided:

Crime Scene Restoration:

• Homicides / Suicides

• Belatedly Discovered Individuals

• Jail Cell / Patrol Cars

•  Meth Lab Testing / Decontamination

• Tear Gas

• Vehicle Decontamination

• Graffiti Removal

Bio-Hazard Remediation:

• Restoration Services

• Hoarding

• Allergy Solutions

• Industrial Accidents

• Bed Bug Remediation

• Diseases

• Sewage

• Animal Decontamination

• Water Damage Restoration

How did you first become involved in ABRA?  And how has your experience been working with the association thus far?

 Andrew Yurchuck with Bio-Clean first became active in the Bio-Recovery field in 1997, and became an official ABRA member in 2001.  He has since served on the executive board as President for two consecutive terms and as a member at large for two terms as well.  Since becoming involved in the association, Bio-Clean of New Jersey has worked side by side with many companies both ABRA certified and non-ABRA certified and has seen the immense difference the ABRA certification makes.  Not only does ABRA provide a network of qualified businesses that companies can call on for support for jobs, but they can also be used as referrals in different locations.  Bio-Clean of New Jersey has had a continually positive experience working with ABRA throughout the years, and it is a certification they are proud to have.

 In your opinion, why should other companies look into joining the association?

 Yurchuck expressed how he could not see how any companies is the Bio-Recovery Industry could afford not to be ABRA certified.  The ABRA certification is the gold standard for Bio recovery clean up and mitigation, and it sets a standard that most other companies will not be able to meet. This means that if you are a certified member, you are proven to be more qualified than most of the competition out there.  ABRA also allows for company exposure at events, networking opportunities, as well as on the association website.  If you want to be legitimate, if you want the best knowledge, intelligence, and have the best peers in your network, you have to be a part of ABRA.