Emily Kil is co-owner of Eco Bear, a leading biohazard remediation company in Southern California. An experienced entrepreneur, Emily assisted in founding Eco Bear as a means of combining her business experience with her desire to provide assistance to people facing challenging circumstances. Emily regularly writes about her first-hand experiences providing services such as biohazard cleanup, suicide cleanup, crime scene cleanup, unattended death cleanup, infectious disease disinfection, and other types of difficult remediations in homes and businesses.
In the past few years, there’s been a considerable degree of public and media discussion about the potential health risks associated with mold contamination and exposure. From a medical and scientific standpoint, there remains a considerable amount of uncertainty as to specific health risks associated with mold exposure. With that said, health problems and ailments…
Cleaning supplies play a major role in the success of a restoration project. Depending on the materials affected and the type of surface being treated, proper cleaning treatments and equipment will be carefully selected to match the need. Failure to select the right type of cleaning chemicals or machinery to address soot and smoke ridden…
Smoke is a problematic component to fire that is often overlooked. While most people tend to focus only on the fire itself, the truth is that smoke has the capability to utterly destroy a structure and its components if not professionally restored in the proper amount of time. What Is Smoke? Smoke is made up…
There are times when sampling at a property needs to be undertaken to ascertain if the premises are contaminated by meth. The reality is that meth is a highly hazardous drug. Meth sampling must be undertaken in a concise manner. There are a dozen steps associated with the process of meth sampling: Place a paper…
Fentanyl abuse and addiction have become a major public health issue in the United States today, including in the state of California. Fentanyl is now considered to be the drug that is driving the opioid crisis in many places in the country. A link in the fentanyl chain is what are known as fentanyl mills.…
You may be like many people and are concerned about the prospect of mold growth in your home. You may have legitimate worries about the damage that mold can do to your house itself as well as objects in your home. In addition, you may have real concerns about how mold (and mold spores) potentially…
Mold is a problem that can plague properties of all types, from residential properties to businesses. Mold can not only cause damage to property and objects in a home or a business, but it can also trigger health problems. The presence of mold is not always obvious. As a result, a professional mold inspection may…
Sometimes, the best way to prepare for the shock of an unexpected traumatic event is to prepare for it before the threat exists. In the case of a fire, it is imperative that you know what to do immediately after the event transpires, and to have a plan of action for getting your home or…
In the world of fire restoration, there are many types of equipment that will need to be utilized for remediators to achieve their overarching goal of restoring the fire affected structure back to its original state. This equipment, though highly effective, requires the skill and expertise of a well-trained technician and comes with a few…
Bullying, suicide and even being LGBTQ are commonly depicted as being connected in the media. However, one need not be LGBTQ to be bullied into suicide. One need only look up stories of Billy Lucas, Tyler Clementi, Phoebe Prince or Hope Witsell to see how often “outsiders” committed suicide. Prince was an Irish girl who…
A key element of meth remediation is to determine whether contamination exists in the first instance and the extent of that contamination. This crucial step is accomplished through thorough testing, which requires the appropriate collection of samples. There are a number of key steps associated with collecting samples to ascertain whether or not meth contamination…
In the 1990s, meth manufacturing was largely undertaken in rural locales. In this day and age, meth labs are still found in more rural areas but they are now commonly operated in urban and suburban areas. With these points noted, there remain a significant number of instances each year in which meth is manufactured at…
The first phase of the meth decontamination process is to test the premises to confirm contamination. Testing occurs directly after a property has been secured properly to prevent anyone unauthorized from entering the structure. In order to undertake a safe, thorough, effective meth decontamination, you first need to understand how to properly test for the…
A key element of meth decontamination is following important health and safety protocols. The health and safety protocols associated with meth decontamination begin the moment a suspected site is identified. There are five broad categories associated with the health and safety protocols associated with meth decontamination: Thorough site assessment Secure contaminated premises Proper personal protective…
Meth and fentanyl contamination is a relatively widespread problem in the United States today. This type of contamination occurs when one or another (or even both) of these drugs are used in a particular location. Meth and fentanyl contamination particularly is a problem when the manufacturing processes associated with these drugs take place at a…
Each and every year, people in California and across the United States die as the result of fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is considered by medical experts as the drug that currently is driving the opioid crisis in the U.S.A. and elsewhere. With some regularity, well-known individuals lose their lives as a result of fentanyl overdoses. In…
While children are found to be using drugs like meth at ever-younger ages, direct use of methamphetamine is not the only way in which children are ingesting drugs. Because of the widespread use of meth in this day and age, all members of the public are wise to understand ways in which children end up…
Fentanyl. The word looks innocuous, harmless. The stark reality is that fentanyl has become the driver of the national opioid epidemic in the United States, including in the state of California. Fatal fentanyl overdoses have become a major cause of death among people who improperly use prescription medications and among those who purchase the drug…
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced people across California, throughout the country – indeed, around the world – to personal protective equipment or PPE. When it comes to fentanyl decontamination, personal protective equipment plays a crucial role in keeping people safe. The stark reality is that exposure to a fentanyl contaminated site can present profound health…
Nothing can prepare you for the devastation that surrounds being personally affected by a fire. It is for this reason that fire restoration technicians take their jobs seriously, and seek to aid in rehabilitating any structural damage that they can. To do this, a fire restoration technician must follow strict laws and guidelines and must…
Born in 1958, Michael Jackson became an iconic performer even when he was still a child. By the time he died in 2009, Jackson has been christened as the King of Pop. He is considered to be a truly significant cultural figures of the 20th century. In addition, Michael Jackson is ranked as one of…
If you have a property that is contaminated by meth in some manner, there are a number of preliminary steps that you need to take in advance of diving into the task of remediation itself. Overriding everything associated with meth decontamination is understanding that you really cannot effectively engage in this type of work on…
Illicit fentanyl use has become a major contributing factor to the opioid epidemic in California and across the United States. Thousands of people die each year as the result of opioid overdoses. An increasing percentage of these fatal overdoses involve fentanyl. The expanding use of fentanyl necessitates a better understanding of the distribution network associated…
A grim reality associated with fentanyl abuse and addiction in the United States is found in the fact that the drug can become a proverbial family affair in a number of different ways. These include: Health issues caused by fentanyl contamination and exposure Accidental fentanyl overdose involving children Neglect of children by fentanyl abusing parents…
In recent years, fentanyl labs have been cropping up all over the United States. These labs are found in the state of California. With the rise of fentanyl labs in the United States, you may be like many people and wonder what happens at these sites. You may wonder how fentanyl is made. The reality…
Everywhere you turn, restaurants, store owners and others are mandating the usage of protective masks by patrons. But, are they actually necessary, or is this just an ineffective attempt at trying to contain something that has already spiraled wildly out of control? The Effectiveness of Mask Wearing There are multiple studies that show that wearing…
It comes as no surprise that the demand for N-95 masks have dramatically increased in recent times. But, what exactly are these masks, and what makes them so different? What Is an N-95 Mask? An N-95 mask is a half-mask respirator that covers your nose and mouth, and contains an adjustable metal piece at the…
Water events, in and of themselves, can lead to a variety of visible and damaging effects on a structure. But the risks don’t end there. There are many hidden components to homes and businesses that, when affected by water, can yield hazardous results. For this reason, it is crucial that property owners of affected establishments…
These days, the most trending topics seem to be those that revolve around keeping yourself safe, healthy and protected. While this isn’t a bad thing, it is important to know why certain methods of achieving good health, though mundane, are recommended, as well as the most effective ways by which you should go about it. …
Fentanyl is the drug now considered to be a major, if not the primary, driving force behind the opioid epidemic. Fentanyl contributes to the opioid epidemic in two primary ways. First, there are individuals who abuse prescriptions of the medication. Second, there are people who obtain the drug illegally and end up abusing or addicted…
Fentanyl contamination is an expanding problem in California and across the United States. As will be discussed in greater detail in a moment, there are a number of reasons why and how different types of properties become contaminated with fentanyl. In advance of fentanyl decontamination of a property, a specific fentanyl site assessment must occur.…
Illegal fentanyl use is regarded as a major health crisis in the United States at this juncture in time. Currently, fentanyl is entering the illegal market in a pair of primary ways. First, fentanyl is illegally available in the United States through the drug being brought into the United States from other countries. Second, fentanyl…
These days, it seems as though D.I.Y., or do-it-yourself, projects are all the rage. From online how-tos to television shows, it’s as though everyone wants to know how to take on their own repair and restoration work in an attempt to skip having to pay the hefty price of hiring a professional. While it may…
Believe it or not, the material or surface that covers an artifact, structure or floor can make a vast difference in the water restoration process. One key element in this regard is porosity. Porosity can determine whether or not an item or artifact can be deemed as salvageable and can significantly slow down, or speed…
Though it isn’t always obvious, waiting too long before addressing water damaged fixtures and structures could cost you in more ways than one. While many will fool themselves into believing that all is fine as long as things “look dry” on the surface, nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, it is often…
In today’s world, we are seeing an unprecedented number of lives claimed by a mysterious and potentially deadly virus, known as the coronavirus. But what is this virus, and where did it come from? In an effort to better prepare ourselves and those around us, it is crucial that we inform ourselves about the illness…
Fearing violence, or the threat thereof, can be a jarring and gut-wrenching journey. Though the workplace should foster an environment that is professional, safe and confidential, you may find yourself feeling afraid, unheard and shut out. While we’ve all been there at one time or another, acts of violence, bullying and threats have no place…
Wood flooring comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles. They’re often made from sundry materials and are a common finding in school gyms, residences, offices and commercial buildings. Though hardwood floors certainly have their benefits, restoring them after they’ve become waterlogged can become quite a task. Because hardwood is composed of low-porosity…
When unexpected situations strike, it can be tempting to act irrationally. But doing so may delay the help you deserve, especially in situations involving water loss. Rather than impede the remedial process, it is best to communicate in a way that is clear, concise and specific, so that you can receive the help you need,…
The alarming reality is that people who come into contact with fentanyl outside of a properly monitored setting are engaged in a life and death game of Russian Roulette. Knowingly or unknowingly coming into contact with fentanyl can result in a nearly immediate overdose. Oftentimes, a fentanyl overdose if deadly. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful…
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid drug that is used for legitimate therapeutic purposes. Additionally, fentanyl has become a primary drug that is being widely utilized illegally in California and across the United States. How Is Fentanyl Used in a Medical Setting? In a medical setting, fentanyl is used as a painkiller in limited circumstances: Fentanyl…
Extreme water loss situations are often tragic events that have the potential to destroy homes and wreck lives. Though they aren’t always preventable, it can help to know how catastrophic water occurrences are classified, and what to expect if you ever find yourself in the midst of one. Significant water loss events are referred to…
Fentanyl is one of the most powerful, dangerous, and addictive drugs used by people in California and across the country. An alarming number of people are addicted to fentanyl. In addition, every day, individuals addicted to fentanyl overdose. Indeed, fentanyl overdoses are what really underpins the high rate of opioid deaths in the United States…
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, is intent on releasing consistent warnings to law enforcement and the American public about the extreme dangers of fentanyl. The public is well-advised to be vigilant when it comes to the warnings issued by the DEA in regard to fentanyl and the profound dangers of this highly addictive, terribly…
Water loss events can be tough to deal with on their own, but throw in the risk of health complications, and things can become downright scary. Sadly, the risk for illness, especially for those suffering with compromised immune systems, increases the longer that a water-affected structure goes unaddressed. For this reason, it is imperative that…
Fentanyl is the most dangerous illegal drug in the United States, according to the Rand Corporation, an international public policy thinktank. The Rand Corporation published the most comprehensive study on the opioid crisis to date in 2019, a study that concluded that fentanyl was the driving drug behind the opioid calamity. Understanding the fentanyl crisis…
When a major water incident unexpectedly occurs, you may find yourself scurrying to find a resolution. As such, it can be helpful to prepare in advance for situations like these so that you can know what to expect and how to prepare for it, ahead of time. Initial Contact When you pick up the phone…
When a home, building or structure incurs damage as a result of a significant water event, the effects can be harrowing. Nevertheless, out of all of the possible negative outcomes, one of the most dangerous is the growth of microorganisms. Often the cause of sudden illness, respiratory complications, allergic reactions and more, the uncontrolled growth…
In recent times, not only are people using fentanyl alone recreationally and illegally, there are individuals who are using other drugs into which fentanyl is mixed. In some instances, people know that fentanyl is mixed with another mind-altering substances. In other cases, individuals are unaware that fentanyl has been mixed into another drug they have…
Prince Rogers Nelson is regarded as an American icon. Most commonly known simply as Prince, when he wasn’t referred to as the Artist Previously Known as Prince, is regarded as a true leader in the music industry. He is considered one of the greatest musicians of his generation. Prince was born on June 7, 1958,…