Bio SoCal was called to a crime scene for a biohzard cleanup after a shooting in Coachella where a young man was shot multiple times.

In late June, while walking back to his car at 2 a.m., a 25-year-old man was shot multiple times by the 22-year-old suspect as reported by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The perpetrator allegedly approached the victim and then shot him before fleeing the scene. The perpetrator was later arrested and charged with one felony account of attempted murder and is now awaiting his court case.

As a regularly trusted partner of first responders throughout Southern California, Bio SoCal was called to the scene to clean up the blood and other bodily fluids of the victim. Out of respect for the man shot and with the safety of the Coachella community in mind, we carefully removed all the blood and fluids from the parking lot and decontaminated the area so other people can walk there safely.

The victim is recovering from the multiple gunshots at a local hospital. Our thoughts are with the victim of this crime and we hope he is able to make a full recovery.

Bio SoCal is here to help

It seems we hear of gun violence and mass shootings more often these days. It is a terrible and painful occurrence for all communities effected and for the families who lose loved ones or who are left hoping their family member or friend survives the ordeal. While we do not have the power to prevent such occurrences, though we fervently wished we did, our team of biohazard cleanup technicians are dedicated to being here for all communities throughout Southern California, including Coachella, that experience gun violence.

With careful biohazard cleanup and compassionate decontamination, we are always available around the clock to handle all the blood cleanup and removal as well as other bodily fluids after such a crime occurs. We then carefully label all the soiled materials as biohazardous waste before legally transporting it to a medical waste facility, abiding by all local and federal rules and regulations. With us on the job, you can at least know no hazards remain in the area and you are free to grieve or help your loved one recover.

We use the latest biohazard cleaning technology

To make sure all affected areas are truly clean and safe, we use the latest biohazard cleaning techniques and technology available. Unlike wiping up a juice spill on a counter where you can simply use a paper towel, there are microscopic viruses and bacteria in blood that can carry diseases and infect other people. We therefore not only clean what is visible on the surface, but we clean those tiny amounts that may not be visible to the human eye. Meticulously working in every nook, cranny, and unseen layers of building materials, we sure make every particle is taken care of, fully removed, and the area is disinfected before allowing the public back in.

Call us today

If you are dealing with blood or bodily fluids in your home or on your property, our team at Bio SoCal is here to help you in whatever way we can. With a free quote and consultation, we are always here to clean up any biohazards and answer all your questions. We even work with your home insurance and can file a claim on your behalf. Our office in Palm Springs services all of Coachella Valley. Call us today.

What is Biofilm?

A biofilm is a hardened layer of germs and microorganisms stuck to a surface. Most people assume you can simply wipe up dirt off a surface and leave behind a clean environment but if a biofilm has formed, then extra scrubbing is needed.

Biofilms are actually found in all kinds of places – even in your own mouth! Over time, bacteria lands on a surface and starts multiplying. As other germs and microorganisms land nearby, this new living community forms a sticky, slimy substance to protect the community, bind it together, and keep it in place on whatever surface it is living on. Over time, these layers harden and can be difficult to remove. A biofilm especially likes forming in places with moisture nearby to sustain it.

Biofilms can be hard to clean

Without knowing what it was, you have already cleaned biofilms off from surfaces. Biofilms are the plaque on your teeth, that pink scum in your shower, sink, or toilet, the grime in your kitchen, and the slime on a slippery river rock. Over time, these layers of biofilm accumulate and are harder to clean the longer they are left to grow.

Regular weekly cleaning keeps biofilms around a home or business to a minimum. However, if a surface is not cleaned regularly, the biofilm layers harden, and greater effort must be expended to make sure the layers are removed and only a clean surface remains. A good example to illustrate this is the biofilm that forms on our teeth as plaque. The longer we wait between dental cleanings, the harder it is to remove plaque and the more damage it can do to the tooth surface underneath. The same is true for the damage that can occur to surfaces such as countertops and bathroom fixtures.

When cleaning a surface with a formed biofilm, you can’t simply wipe the area with a disinfectant. The sticky substance will protect the microorganisms underneath and the disinfectant will remain on top of the sticky substance. To truly clean the area, you have to scrub at the biofilm first to make sure it is fully removed then disinfect the area according to instructions on the bottle.

Difference between biohazard biofilm and regular dirt

Most biofilms that form on household surfaces are easy enough to clean for anyone with basic cleaning skills performing regular maintenance. While you don’t want them to stay around, they are relatively harmless to remove. With a strong cleaner, vigorous scrubbing, followed by a quality disinfectant applied correctly, biofilms can be kept from doing any lasting damage and will be easy to deal with.

In situations involving biohazards, however, our professional biohazard cleaners are there to take over for you. Even those with excellent cleaning skills should not attempt to handle any biohazardous substances such as blood, body fluids, or harmful chemicals. The bacteria and viruses making up the biofilm can be extremely dangerous without the proper protection and cleaning equipment. A surface that seems to be safe can have a large community of living organisms still hardened on a surface despite disinfection that are ready to infect the unsuspecting.

At Bio SoCal, we’ll make sure all biofilms have been removed and your property restored to safety by using the proper safety equipment and industrial cleaners. First, we sanitize the surface to protect ourselves before we scrub away the biofilm, then disinfect all surfaces.

Don’t risk cleaning up biofilms infected with biohazards on your own – rely on professionals who know how to do the job right and keep you safe.

Bio SoCal was on scene early one morning last week in Palm Springs to clean up biohazards. While using a crosswalk at 5:30 a.m., a 59-year-old man in a wheelchair was struck and tragically killed in the accident. Though the cause of the crash is unknown, alcohol or drugs were not a factor and the driver of the truck stayed and cooperated with authorities.

Vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents are never easy, especially when its 118 degrees outside and the pavement is 160-180 degrees. At such high heat, not only is it hard to clean the biohazards off the ground, but we also take extra care ourselves to not suffer from heat stroke. The personal protective equipment (PPE) we wear, while it serves as a vital barrier between us and biohazardous substances, is hot to wear and can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures if care is not taken.

Working in PPE During High Temperatures

To make sure every member of our team is protected and cared for in the record-breaking temperatures, we make sure to drink lots of water, have enough technicians on scene to work efficiently, and make sure the air conditioning in all our work vehicles is in good working order.

By taking good care of ourselves, we know we will be here to take care of you at a moment’s notice. With our wealth of experience and extensive knowledge on how to clean up blood, body fluids, and other biohazards throughout Palm Springs and Southern California, you always have someone with a ready solution to any problem you may be facing.

Avoiding Heat Stroke

With record breaking temperatures across the Palm Springs area, make sure you, too, are drinking lots of water and taking frequent breaks if you’re out in the heat. Wear loose fitting clothing and stay in air conditioning if possible. If you have older neighbors and friends, check on them to make sure they are doing okay or if they are experiencing signs of heatstroke. Symptoms can include:

• dizziness
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• fast breathing
• feeling sick
• cramps
• high temperature

Call 911 immediately if you experience these symptoms. Cooling shelters are available.

Bio SoCal Knows How to Navigate the High Temps in Palm Springs

Even in the high heat, Bio SoCal will be here as always to make sure our community is safe from harm. Whether you are experiencing the effects of an accident, unattended death, crime, or other event involving biohazards, we have the skills and tools to clean and disinfect the area so you can move forward in safety.
Our condolences to the gentleman’s family and friends.

Bio SoCal crews have been and continue to be very busy cleaning up scenes contaminated with biohazards throughout Oxnard.

During just one day in January, we spent the day helping two families after losing their loved ones: one due to a homicide and the other because of an unattended death. Then, just after a late dinner, an evening call came in to help clean up a public street after a horrific bicycle accident had taken place in the late afternoon. While a semi truck made a right turn through an intersection locally known in Oxnard as “Five Points,” the driver hit a 75-year-old bicyclist traveling in the intersection. The driver of the semitruck immediately pulled over to the right to find the bicycle in pieces underneath his truck and the rider passed away. After police arrived at the scene to investigate, they determined neither speed nor alcohol were contributing factors in the accident. The reason for the accident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed to the best of our knowledge.

Once our team was called to the scene of the accident for biohazard cleanup to remove the blood and other bodily fluids from the area, we dispatched a crew to clean up after this unfortunate accident and disinfect the asphalt. Working quickly and with great respect to the victim, we minimized any further damage to the public street and removed all potentially dangerous bacteria and viruses.

Be vigilant as you travel

As biohazard cleaners, we see first-hand the long-lasting pain one accident can cause. In the flash of a single moment, countless lives are changed forever. The streets in Oxnard can be very busy especially during the morning and evening commuting house. So, while you’re traveling this spring, whether by car, bicycle, or walking, be extra vigilant of your surroundings. In a car or truck, check your mirrors, see who is around you and who is coming your way, and never text and drive at the same time. If you are on a bicycle, always wear your helmet, wear bright reflective clothing, and assume you’re invisible to any motorists in the area. It only takes one glance down, one missed sighting of someone coming your way to change your life or the life of another. If we all stay vigilant and practice precautions while traveling, more of us will get to where we are going safely.

Our teams at Bio SoCal are here to help

Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost a loved one in these tragedies. Our teams at Bio SoCal are here to help with all types of biohazard cleanup 24/7/365. No matter where you are or what you are dealing with, we know what it takes to clean the area after a crime or accident and make it safe for others.

Please stay safe and check on your loved ones often to say hello and see how they are doing. Once someone is gone, there is no getting back the time we can have with them today.