Like most people, Joseph Petit-Clair never really thought about what happens after a crime or an unattended death.
He assumed the police, coroner or EMS cleaned up the scene after.
But that’s not true. Only the body is removed after a death, the aftermath of any violence or blood and bodily fluids are left behind.
He learned that there are actually companies that handle cleanups for such sites after reading a magazine article while a student at Bloomsburg University.
The Lehighton native, 23, decided he had found a potential career for after graduation and joined by his father, Rob Petit-Clair, he opened his own crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination business, Bio-One of Allentown.
He and his father, along with a staff of one full-time and three part-time workers, now handle the cleanup after violent crimes, suicides, unattended deaths as well as the cleanup of hoarding situations, particularly when animals are involved.
He said it’s a very valuable service his company provides.
“Most people will start cleaning up after themselves, which is not good,” Petit-Clair said. “First, it can be traumatic for them cleaning up after a loved one. Also, they often don’t have the proper equipment to remove biohazards and medical waste safely.
He said cleaners all use the proper PPE, including complete hazmat suits and have the appropriate containers for the disposal of such waste.
The goal, he said, is to remove all evidence that the death occurred so that it will look like nothing had happened. That usually involves the removal of waste and things like stained carpets but can sometimes even involve the removal of affected floorboards.
He noted that the service is usually covered by insurance so there is only a deductible paid by the client.
The company operates 24-7 on call when service is needed. They respond mostly to homes, with suicides, overdoses or unattended deaths being their most common call, but they also provide services for businesses when there has been an incident such as an industrial accident.
A portion of their business is also hoarding. They provide cleaning for people with mental health or mobility issues that have led to a house becoming overly cluttered and possibly unhealthy.
Animals are often involved in such situations and the cleaning of animal waste is an important part of bringing a home back to a livable condition.
They also get referrals from real estate professionals to do cleanouts when residents or tenants leave behind a large mess that needs to be cleaned before a property can be sold or rented out.
“Tenants will sometimes trash a place before they leave,” he explained.
Petit-Clair admitted that it’s not an easy job. The work can be gruesome and isn’t for everyone, but he said it is also a very interesting line of work. The company has had no trouble recruiting help and often gets calls from people looking to see if they are hiring.
Since they started the franchise this spring, the Petit-Clairs have been busy, and the business has been steadily growing in a field they once didn’t know existed.
