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Article from The Associated Press
He gets paid to clean grisly crime scenes
TRENTON — He's the last person to go to work at a crime scene. But you won't see his job depicted on "NYPD Blue" or Homicide." He's the one who arrives wearing a white protective suit and hefting an industrial vacuum once all the investigators have been cleared out. It's not a job most people ever think about. And its not really anyone's job in particular. Few New Jersey companies are willing or qualified to handle blood cleanup. The ones that do can be tough to find...
Companies that deal with blood must use special protective gear, be specially trained and abide by Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards concerning contact with blood-borne pathogens — particularly hepatitis B and the HIV virus, said Kathleen O'Leary, director of the state Occupational Disease and Injury Service. They must also register with the Department of Environmental Protection as a generator of hazardous medical waste, and be trained to properly pack the materials for disposal.
Once a crime scene is close, authorities often mention that there are companies that specialize in this type of cleanup, said Sgt. Jack Smith, spokesman for the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office. But sometimes, homeowners don't get that advice. After repeatedly hearing victims' family members ask who will clean up blood-stained mattresses, carpets and bathroom tiles, and having no answer, a Linden volunteer paramedic realized there was an unfulfilled need for a cleaning service trained in the removal of blood and other bodily fluids.
Ronald Vogel incorporated Emergi-Clean Inc. about a year ago. Business has been sporadic. Vogel, who owns a separate janitorial service, said he relies on word of mouth, handing his card out to police in hope they'll use it to refer those in need.
Article by Suzanne C. Russell
Staff WriterAs an emergency medical technician in Linden for eight years, Ronald Vogel many times was asked if the first-aid squad was going to clean up the blood left behind at an accident scene. His answer was always the same: It was not the ambulance corps' responsibility. Its job was to tend to the patient. In fact blood cleanups usually aren't anyone's job. In this age of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis strains transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids, Vogel thought this was a problem: one his new company may help to solve.
Emergi-Clean Inc., which began operating last month, specializes in blood and bodily fluid cleanups. Using special disinfectants and germicides, Vogel said he's able to remove blood from such things as machinery, carpets and furniture at a crime or accident scene and dispose of the blood safely — through incineration — at a licensed facility. Generally, blood from road accidents is removed by hosing down the area. In homes or in factories where there has been an industrial accident, the owners have to find a way to clean up the possibly contaminated blood and other fluids.
Vogel said his company is registered with the New Jersey DEP. His workers can sanitize industrial equipment after an accident or a police car in which a suspect has left blood. Rather than taking the vehicle to a police garage, where it might take about 24 hours to get the vehicle cleaned, Vogel said his company is equipped to clean the vehicle and get it back in service in about four hours. Vogel said quick cleanup is beneficial for health reasons. He said research has indicated the hepatitis virus can survive outside the body for seven to 10 days and HIV can survive outside the body for about an hour.
Generally, at motor vehicle accident scenes, any pools of blood are washed down into the sewer system where rats and mice live and breed. Vogel said these same mice and rats are often responsible for the spread of disease. In addition, Vogel said hosing down the blood dilutes it, but doesn't necessarily get rid of the harmful bacteria and viruses.
When he pulls up to an accident or crime scene, Vogel, who follows OSHA rules and regulations, said he's equipped with a disposal suit, rubber gloves, face mask, goggles, and head gear to avoid contamination. Vogel charges about $225 an hour for a crew, with an additional cost for disposal of medical waste.
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