U.S. Police & Fire Championships Announces Presenting Sponsor: Bio-One, Inc.

The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is proud to announce that the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are now Presented by Bio-One, Inc. 

Operating under the motto, "Help First, Business Second," Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times. Bio-One operates in 41 states with over 110 locations and is committed to providing first-class service. 

"We are thrilled to add Bio-One as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 USPFC because   First Responders warrant our support," said California Police Athletic Federation President LC Collins. "Bio-One’s reputation is second to none, and with their partnership, we can offer first responders a health and wellness outlet.  We look forward to working with them for years to come."

Founded by San Diego Police Lieutenant Veon "Duke" Nyhus, The United States Police & Fire Championships were first held in San Diego in 1967. Duke recognized the need to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among the Public Safety and First Responder community members. 

The USPFC caters to active and retired public safety and first responders who participate in Olympic-style competitions and open to individuals representing firefighters, law enforcement, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs across the country. Traditionally athletes compete in 45+ sporting events from biathlon to motocross across 35+ venues in Southern California.

"At Bio-One our support for Law Enforcement and Fire Service Officers is unwavering, and we're thrilled to partner with the California Police Athletic Federation during this memorable event," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One. "We wish each athlete success and look forward to celebrating these everyday heroes."

The 2021 USPFC Presented by Bio-One will take place from June 10th to the 19th in venues across San Diego, California, and strengthen the relationship between First Responders and the community for many years to come!

About the United States Police and Fire Championships

The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is the parent organization of two multi-sport programs designed for peace officers and firefighters. The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are open to active or retired public safety and first responder personnel from an eligible agency within the USA. For more information, please visit www.uspfc.org. 

If buying or selling a home in Colorado is in your future, you're likely well versed the entire process from the initial offer to closing. But are you aware that disclosing a death in the home may be required? Here's what you need to know. 

Property Disclosure Documents

No matter how perfect a house looks on the outside, there is often property information a buyer needs to disclose before the sale can go through. Property disclosure documents reveal known structural issues, neighborhood nuisances, hazards, HOA details, water damage, notable repairs made to the home and death in the home. 

Rules for reporting a death in the home vary by state, and variations in rules may include:

• Timeframe: When the death occurred. 
• How the person passed away: If the death occurred naturally versus due to negligence on the property.
• Hauntings: If the seller has knowledge that the property is being haunted by the dead. 

So what are the rules in Colorado? Here are the details:

On AtHomeColorado.com, Duane Duggan, a Realtor for RE/MAX of Boulder in Colorado, explains:

Bottom line, according to the legislation, such information [murder or suicide occurring on the property] does not have to be disclosed. But can it be disclosed? Yes, it can. This is a discussion that needs to happen between the seller, real estate broker and a real estate attorney.

If you're buying a home in Colorado and would like to research this information on your own, DiedinHouse.com promises to pull these records for you. 

For a state by state guide on disclosure laws we recommend visiting this resource on Nolo.com. 

Remediating After a Death in a Home

If a death recently occurred in the home you're hoping to purchase, there may have been biohazards from bloodborne pathogens that required remediation. Consider asking the seller how the death was remediated to ensure proper steps were taken. Remediation processes may vary depending on the location of the death, how the death occurred, types of flooring, and if the death was undiscovered for days or weeks. 

Bio-One technicians are trained and equipped to properly disinfect biohazards from bloodborne pathogens, and we ensure safe biohazard material handling and disposal. Once the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids, we also help property owners restore the location to its pre-incident state. 

If you are selling a home in Colorado and need a biohazard remediated or want to ensure remediation was done correctly, give our Bio-One team a call: 720-365-2393. Our experts not only contain and disinfect the dangerous biological materials, we carry out our work in a caring and private manner. 

At Bio-One of Colorado, we are often asked what chemicals cleanup blood, feces and other biohazards, and our team always uses our four proprietary chemicals, one of which is a tuberculocide. But one household cleaner continues to pop up in conversation as we’re often asked, “Can I use bleach to clean it up?”

Bleach, commonly known as Clorox, can be found in households across the U.S. And before we dive in too deep, we want to assure you that we also use bleach in our home! But not when we’re on the job cleaning and disinfecting biohazards. Here are three reasons why.

Bleach Loses Potency

• After only a few months of sitting on the shelf at your local grocery store or in your home (or both) the potency of bleach declines and continues to decline over time. As potency decreases, bleach takes longer to kill bacteria and viruses, meaning you might have to let bleach sit on a contaminated surface for a few minutes or longer to disinfect.
• The only way to determine potency levels is to test the chemical every few months. Our home doesn’t have the tools for this test, and - like most households - we “guestimate” an appropriate time needed for disinfection. But when it comes to biohazards, especially some of the nastier bacteria or viruses, a guess or estimate doesn’t cut it.
• This is why Bio-One uses a proprietary tuberculocide. This chemical has a long shelf-life, and works quickly and reliably to kill many pathogens, including MRSA, C-diff, and HIV, that may be in blood, vomit, fecal matter, urine, gross filth, or other bodily fluids.

Bleach is an Irritant

• Large spaces – whether public or private – such as stairwells, spacious rooms, apartments, stores and offices, need to be ready for use as soon as our work is complete. Furthermore, after a traumatic event or during an overwhelming situation, it’s critical that we use chemicals that don’t result in another problem such as eye, throat or skin irritations. This may be difficult to accomplish with bleach.
• Easily identified by the smell, bleach mist or vapors can be extremely irritating. The Clorox Company’s Safety Data Sheet on bleach states, “While not expected, heart conditions or chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or obstructive lung disease may be aggravated by exposure to high concentrations of vapor or mist.”
• In an effort to reduce harm, chemicals used by Bio-One pack a punch for blood pathogens without compromising heath from lasting irritating vapors and mist.

Bleach is for Non-Porous Surfaces Only

• That’s right! While powerful on ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum, bleach is not suitable for porous surfaces such as marble and hardwood floors. Biohazard scenes are unpredictable, and Bio-One’s tuberculocide is key as it disinfects porous and non-porous surfaces.

All this being said, we genuinely hope you never encounter a biohazard situation. But if you do, don’t reach for the bleach. Contact Bio-One so we can safely and quickly help.

If you were to line five disinfecting products next to each other, could you list their dwell times for proper disinfection?

As you continue disinfecting at home, you likely have a process in place for hard surfaces and “hot spots” such as door knobs, countertops, and electronics. But before you spray or wipe, it’s important to read the label for recommended dwell times.

Here’s what you need to know.

Explaining Dwell Time

• Typically listed in minutes, dwell times are how long the chemical needs to sit wet on a hard surface to properly disinfect. This varies between sprays, wipes, and aerosols.

Choosing a Product

• When purchasing a product, check if the EPA registration number is included on the Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 list. According to the EPA website, “When purchasing a product, check if its EPA registration number is included on this list. If it is, you have a match and the product can be used against SARS-CoV-2. You can find this number on the product label – just look for the EPA Reg. No. These products may be marketed and sold under different brand names, but if they have the same EPA registration number, they are the same product.”
• If you choose to have your house or business cleaned by a local service, such as Bio-One of Colorado, make sure to ask if they are using chemicals on the EPA list.

Difference Between Sanitization vs Disinfection

• Disinfecting lessens and even kills germs on surfaces to make them safe for contact. Disinfecting requires a stronger solution to go beyond reducing the germs and bacteria, with the goal of destroying them.
• Each level of cleaning requires different hard surface dwell times.

For example, directions on an aerosol can of Lysol are as follows:

• To Sanitize: Surfaces must remain wet for 10 seconds and then allow to air dry.
• To Disinfect: Surfaces must remain wet for 3 minutes then allow to air dry. For Norovirus, surfaces must remain wet for 10 minutes then allow to air dry.

While protecting you and your loved ones against COVID-19, keep disinfecting simple. Read the label, remember the disinfecting dwell time and ensure you’ve sprayed or wiped enough chemical on the hard surface to reach the minimum requirements.

Contact Bio-One for a free COVID-19 disinfection estimate. Bio-One of Colorado serves Denver and Northern Colorado.

We know mold removal can be an overwhelming task. Where should you begin? And how can you get it done right at a reasonable price?

The truth - mold removal isn’t as complicated as it’s often made out to be.  And the right mold professional, Bio-One, can guide you through the process while charging a reasonable price. 

Do I need to test for mold?

• If you can already see it, it is present and there isn’t the need for a test, unless, for your own reasons, you are looking for specifics on the type of mold or mold level.
• The bottom line: you just need to remove it. No visible mold growth belongs in a healthy home and all mold should be removed the same way.
• If a so-called mold professional insists that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on pre-testing when mold is already visible, our advice is to be very wary. As a side note, before hiring any contractor to do work, we encourage you to do your research, check certifications and read reviews.

How expensive can I expect removal to be?

• Prices of mold removal depend on the size of the job. But, some mold professionals out there exaggerate the amount of work that needs to be done, driving up the price. If you think a quoted price seems high, we recommend getting multiple quotes to compare. However, if you get a quote that’s shockingly low, that’s also a big red flag. 
• Mold professionals are licensed and skilled tradesmen, just like a plumber or electrician, so you can expect to pay more for a mold company than a regular handyman.
• No need to take a wrecking ball to the entire house at the sight of a little mold. You can keep the price down by focusing just on the area where there is visible mold.  For example, mold on drywall in one corner of the room only needs cut out and replaced in that corner.  Yes, the rest of the room (and maybe adjoining rooms) should be cleaned, but only damaged drywall needs to be cut out and replaced.

What should I expect from a true mold removal professional?

• Any mold professional should be able to explain your mold removal project in plain English. If a contractor is unable to explain the basic processes and steps of mold remediation and mold removal in layman’s terms, be very wary! 

Once in the home, here’s what to expect from a professional worth their salt:

• Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must, as are vinyl or neoprene gloves.
• Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
• After mold is physically removed from its source, the air should be cleaned of airborne mold spores using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air scrubbers and air exchange (i.e. replacing dirty moldy air with clean fresh air through simple ventilation or more sophisticated negative air controls for bigger jobs)
• When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
• Mold professionals usually discard moldy porous building materials such as drywall, insulation and baseboards. These materials are relatively inexpensive to replace and difficult to impossible to restore to their previous uncontaminated condition.
• Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains after demo.
• Mold professionals often use a sealer or encapsulant to make the treated areas more resistant to water damage and mold, and to help with odor control.

To sum it all up, hiring a mold professional, like Bio-One doesn’t have to be as confusing as you may think. The good ones won’t push unnecessary testing, will charge reasonable prices, are able to clearly explain what work they will be doing, use professional practices & equipment, and have lots of experience.

Contact Bio-One for a free inspection and estimate for mold remediation and/or crawl space encapsulation. Bio-One of Colorado serves Denver and Northern Colorado.

If your car has a moldy or mildew-like smell, you’ll want to take care of the problem quickly, especially when living in a humid area. Warning signs can include a smell like sour milk or discoloration on the seats and carpet. It can also become a health hazard and cause permanent damage to your vehicle. 

What are your options? Will I get sick? Can you clean the mold in your vehicle yourself? Should you hire a pro to remediate the mold? Where do I even begin?

We're here to help! As certified mold experts in Denver and Northern Colorado, we've answered popular questions below. But if you need more information, you are always welcome to call us at 720-365-2393. 

Why does mold grow in a vehicle?

While the climate in Colorado is especially dry - damp conditions mixed with a warm environment - are a recipe for mold. And these conditions can easily be created in your car if you leave your window cracked or your sunroof open on a rainy day, or even spill some liquid on the floor. 

It only takes a small amount of moisture for mold to grow and it can only take a few days to colonize, but once you have mold in your car, it can be a real pain to get rid of and has the potential to ruin your car’s interior.

Can you get sick from mold in your car?

Allergic reactions to mold are common and they can be immediate or delayed. According to EPA.gov, "Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash."

If you or a loved one experience even mild symptoms, our Bio-One team encourages you to remediate the mold in the vehicle before operating it again.

What can you expect from a certified Mold Professional?

Depending on the severity of the mold you may want to try your hand at remediating the mold yourself, or calling in a certified professional, such as Bio-One of Colorado. We always encourage our customers to give Bio-One a call for a free estimate.

Here's what you can expect from a certified mold professional:

• Proper safety gear should be worn when dealing with mold. A high quality, high filtration face mask is a must (COVID-19 cloth masks will not protect from mold spores), as are vinyl or neoprene gloves.
• Mold professionals use expensive, professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, commercial-strength dehumidifiers, etc. Regular handymen won’t have that stuff.
• When vacuuming and using air scrubbers for mold remediation, the filters used should be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Only HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as mold spores. Regular filters will not work and could make the problem worse.
• Mold professionals will use an antimicrobial chemical to clean any remaining mold and mold stains.

To sum it all up, hiring a mold professional, like Bio-One doesn’t have to be as confusing as you may think. The good ones won’t push unnecessary work, will charge reasonable prices, are able to clearly explain what work they will be doing, use professional practices  & equipment, and have lots of experience.

Contact Contact Bio-One of Colorado for a free inspection and estimate for mold remediation and/or crawl space encapsulation. Bio-One of Colorado serves Denver and Northern Colorado.