Decontamination & Cleanup

Bio Clean, Inc. is a certified Decontamination Cleanup Contractor. What does that mean? It means that we’ve received the training and passed the tests that demonstrate our understanding of the procedures that must be followed to decontaminate a space, structure, property, or person.

It means that we’re the people you want when the worst happens. Not only will we will respond compassionately, but also competently.

Cleaning Up

Decontamination and cleanup methods depend upon the level and extent of contamination. Some methods are ineffective or very expensive if the property is heavily contaminated. Typically, decontamination and cleanup involves cleaning or washing, removing or gutting, or a combination of thereof.

Often the washing of surfaces, even beyond the “triple-wash/triple-rinse” standard, must be repeated to be effective. Experience has taught us that tearing out a structure’s interior and rebuilding it is often more cost-effective than repeatedly washing, depending on the level and extent of the contamination as well as the base materials (raw wood verses painted wood, porous surfaces verses non-porous surfaces, condition of the drywall, etc.). Also, the very nature of washing verses gutting-and-replacing-with-new-materials lends the gutting process to be the most effective method of completely eliminating contamination.

Cleanups can be very expensive. There have been instances where the property had a low value and was too heavily contaminated or difficult to clean. So it may be more cost-effective to demolish a structure in these instances. While this is rare, it is an option to consider for some. Even with demolition, contaminated materials must be disposed of properly.

Using Certified Contractors

Using an experienced, certified contractor is important. Why? Because it helps you to obtain a more accurate initial assessment of the degree and extent of contamination to better understand:

• Whether to wash, gut, combination wash/gut, or demolish the property
• Whether environmental sampling is required and to what extent
• Securing a more accurate cost estimate and timeline for the work needing to be done
• Articulating the situation to insurance adjusters to maximize your potential for coverage
• Having properly trained workers and the right equipment to decontaminate safely and efficiently
• The approach to minimize your liability of injury to others
• Having the property decontaminated and cleaned up properly
• Using recognized, certified decontamination contractors who work under the precautionary principle of minimizing any lingering risks of exposure
• Documenting the decontamination process and disposal of contaminated materials
• Obtaining defensible post-cleanup sampling results

Experienced

Let our experience help you! Bio Clean, Inc. has been doing methamphetamine and other illicit drug contamination cleanup since 2000. We have completed more of these cleanups in Washington State than any other certified contractor. After reviewing this information, please don’t hesitate to call us and let us help you get your property back to clean as cost-effectively and quickly as possible

The EPA’s Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup is a reference you may wish to read to understand some of the details and intricacies of methamphetamine decontamination and cleanup. Keep in mind this EPA document is not meant to supersede municipal, county, or state guidance documents, regulations or statutes. For instance, in the State of Washington, most local health jurisdictions have their own set of regulations and guidance documents that set forth how decontamination projects need to be done.