Fentanyl 101
Safety & Cleanup
Ohio ranks 5th in the nation in drug overdose deaths, with over 5,300 deaths in 2021 alone. One of the leading causes of drug overdose deaths is fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is used in medical settings as a pain reliever. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is routinely found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and other non-regulated substances.
Production and use of fentanyl-containing products can lead to fentanyl contamination in homes, vehicles and drug laboratories. These pose a serious health threat to first responders, law enforcement and anyone entering a contaminated area. Exposure to even a very small amount of fentanyl can lead to compromised breathing, respiratory arrest and death.
If you come across a scene with possible fentanyl exposure, do not enter or attempt to clean it up yourself. Avoid disturbing the area or touching your eyes, hands or mouth after touching any potentially contaminated surface, even if you are wearing gloves. Restrict access to the area, and call Bio-One Columbus. Our trained technicians can safely decontaminate the scene with state-of-the-art equipment and proper safety and isolation gear.
The prevalence of fentanyl in Columbus is both astounding and tragic. Anytime we remediate the scene of a death by overdose, we have to suspect fentanyl, and it’s confirmed in a high percentage of our field tests.
I tell all my law enforcement contacts, property managers and anyone who may find themselves on a contaminated scene, that it is truly an immediate life threat.
Fentanyl is measured in micrograms not milligrams, so the smallest amount can knock out your respiratory drive and stop your breathing. I highly encourage people not to try to clean these scenes up themselves.
For anyone who is currently struggling with opioid or other substance addiction, there is hope and help.
If you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger or is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately.
Signs of overdose include the following:
- No response when you shake the person or call their name
- Not breathing
- Slow or shallow breathing (less than one breath every six seconds)
- Pinpoint pupils
- No response when you shake the person or rub their sternum with your knuckles
- Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds
- Blue, grey, or ashen lips and fingernails
- Slow, irregular pulse
- No pulse
- Vomiting
- Seizures
If you or a loved are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse related emergency call the Netcare Access Crisis Hotline: 614-276-CARE (2273) or call the Opiate Crisis Line:614-724-HOPE (4673), which is available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24/7/365 at 1-800-662-4357 or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
Bio-One of Columbus continues to be the most passionate and caring company in the cleaning services industry.
For more information, visit us at https://bioonecolumbus.com/
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