Asbestos is a material that was used in construction projects for decades before it became evident that it could cause dangerous health problems. While houses built in recent years should not contain any asbestos, it was regularly used in residential construction up until the 1980s. This is why it is important for homeowners to know about the dangers of asbestos and what to do to avoid them. If you are concerned that your home may contain asbestos, contact a company that offers asbestos testing in San Francisco, and read the following information to find out more about the dangers of asbestos.

Asbestos can cause life-threatening health problems.

It is very difficult for the body to break down asbestos fibers, which means that when they are inhaled or ingested, they can remain in the body for years. With time, this can lead to a number of chronic diseases that may be life-threatening. Asbestosis is a type of respiratory disease that can cause shortness of breath and may lead to heart failure. Another disease that can result from asbestos exposure is lung cancer, which may be deadly. Asbestos exposure can also lead to mesothelioma, a type of cancer that can affect the membrane which lines the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Cancers of other areas of the body, including the stomach and esophagus, can also result from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is dangerous when disturbed.

While asbestos may be present in different materials in your home, it generally will not be dangerous if it is not disturbed. However, any activity that can release asbestos fibers into the air, such as demolition or remodeling, can put your family at risk. This is why it is essential to schedule asbestos testing before you begin a project in your home. If asbestos is detected, professional removal or containment will be necessary before you can proceed with your home improvement project.

Your home inspection should include a thorough indoor air quality test before you officially purchase your new home. This home inspection in San Francisco can tell you a number of features you may not know before buying a house , such as if mold is growing and other dangerous air quality issues.

You can locate future problem areas.

Many homes may have certain areas of the house, such as the bathroom, that may be hotspots for the occasional mold growth or bacteria buildup. There may be a ventilation register or section of the HVAC system that has reduced airflow. These are not reasons to back out of buying your dream home. However, they are good traits to know as you go through buying a house, and they can only come with an indoor air quality test. You can then make the decision to remodel those areas after you have purchased the home.

You can back out before purchasing an unsafe home.

On the other hand, there are some houses that have a host of problems, including extensive mold growth, gas leaks, plumbing problems, and many more. Unless you are looking for a fixer-upper house, you should not be pulled into purchasing an unsafe home. A thorough home inspector will test the home’s air quality, plumbing, electricity, and all other utilities to ensure the house is safe for you and your family. If it is deemed unsafe or has too many damages, then you can find out before you move in.

You can learn more about your future home.

Even though you are likely to receive a lot of history from your realtor or the former owners, there are certain features of a new home that can only be answered with a home inspection. You may find out where there were previous mold problems or if fire and smoke damage had ever occurred. These are just a few of the many benefits you will find when an inspector performs an indoor air quality test.

Whether you are buying a new house, planning a home renovation, or want to improve the comfort of your home, testing a house’s indoor air quality in San Francisco is a smart decision. These thorough evaluations can alert you to problems that affect the safety of the building’s air, allowing you to address any issues as needed.

When a house is tested for contaminants such as asbestos, lead, and mold, the process usually involves several steps. First, an experienced team arrives at the home and conducts an extensive inspection, during which the members will search for any areas that could harbor contaminants that might affect the house’s indoor air quality.

After evaluating all areas of the building, the team will carefully obtain samples of any suspect materials. Next, the samples are sent to a lab for testing and identification. Finally, the testing company will report the findings to you and discuss any recommended treatment or abatement services to improve the home’s indoor air quality.

When planning a home renovation near San Francisco, you have a lot to consider regarding the project’s design. In addition to dimensions, layout, and style, the effect of the remodel on your indoor air quality , or IAQ, should be factored into your decisions. During new construction, there are several reasons why you should talk to your contractor about your home’s air quality.

To Make the Most of Your Home Remodel

Whether your house is new or old, there may be existing materials that are affecting your family’s health. If it is poor, the quality of your indoor air can cause allergic reactions, discomfort, and even illness for anyone residing in the home. A renovation, however, gives you the ideal opportunity to address the construction of your home in a way that improves your IAQ. After having an air quality test performed, talk with your contractor about any areas you’d like to remove or repair to address any IAQ issues.

To Remove Unhealthy Materials from Your Home

Home remodeling gives you the chance to tear out or contain any dated, damaged, or unhealthy materials that may be affecting your IAQ. For older houses, lead and asbestos are common issues that homeowners face during a remodel. Also, bacteria, mold, and mildew can develop in both newer and older homes. Before you begin your renovation, schedule a professional IAQ evaluation for your home to identify any contaminants you are facing. Next, speak with your contractor about the best course of action regarding the removal of problematic construction materials and any need for lead or asbestos removal services.

To Choose Materials that Support Better Indoor Air

In addition to addressing any problematic materials in the construction area, the home remodel allows to you to replace these with new and better options. Today, there are products available that can resist the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew to help protect your home’s IAQ. Also, the VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, found in some construction materials can release vapor into the air that lowers indoor air quality, so speak with your contractor about your low or no-VOC options.

There are enough things to worry about in life, especially if you have a family. But as if the list wasn’t long enough, there’s something else you should be concerned about if you aren’t already: Asbestos. It’s true that asbestos was outlawed for residential use in the United States in the 1970s, but there’s no guarantee that homes built before this time have been tested and made asbestos-free. Fortunately, there are air testing companies in San Francisco that can inspect your home for asbestos and make sure your family is safe. What exactly is there to worry about, anyways? Here are just a few of the diseases that can be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma

This cancer, which affects the lining of the lungs and the lining in the lower digestive tract, is almost exclusively related to exposure to asbestos. Tragically, by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer related to asbestos looks the same as lung cancer causes by smoking and other causes. By some estimates, there is approximately one asbestos-related lung cancer for every mesothelioma death. In other words, lung cancer is a very serious and very real threat stemming from exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis

Another serious lung condition causes by asbestos exposure is asbestosis. This condition causes scarring of the lung that leads to progressively worse breathing difficulties over time, and in some cases can even be fatal. Asbestosis normally occurs after heavy exposure over a long period of time.

Pleura Thickening

In addition to asbestosis, prolonged exposure to high levels of asbestos can also cause the lining of the lung (pleura) to thicken and swell. Over time, the lung itself can contract and make it difficult to breath. Shortness of breath and chest discomfort are common with sufferers dealing with pleura thickening due to asbestos.

Thousands of children are exposed to lead every year, with multiple cases being reported of children being poisoned by lead. Lead poisoning is a very serious condition in young children, as it can cause learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and even lower IQs. Watch this video to learn more about the dangers of lead and why it’s important that you protect your children from unsafe levels of lead exposure.

To protect your family from the dangerous of lead exposure, schedule lead testing with Safe Air Fast. As San Francisco’s leading residential environment testing company, we can test for the presence of lead, mold, asbestos, and bacteria. Our mission is to identify environmental dangers inside your home that can be harmful to your health and put your family at risk. Call Safe Air Fast today to schedule lead testing or to learn more about our full range of testing services.

Although the vast majority of bacteria are not harmful to humans, exposure to the wrong kind of bacteria can make you extremely sick. Fortunately, you can be sure that your family is not exposed to dangerous bacteria by scheduling bacteria testing . The most dangerous bacteria in a home is typically the result of a sewage backup or other plumbing emergency that causes black water to spill out and cover surfaces of your home. Even if you thoroughly clean the spill area, some bacteria can still remain that can lead to serious illness, disease, and even death. Bacteria testing can tell you for sure if the area is clean and safe for your family.

Whether you’re home has suffered a sewage spill or you’re just concerned about the presence of dangerous bacteria in your home, contact the environmental testing experts at Safe Air Fast. We provide bacteria testing services for residents of San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.

When you are getting ready to buy a house , you may want to consider scheduling a full house inspection. A company that offers mold inspection and home inspections in San Francisco can determine whether a house is a safe space for you and your family.

One of the most important types of test that you may want to schedule before you buy a house is a bacteria test. If bacteria are present in a home after a sewage spill or other type of emergency, the health and safety of your loved ones could be at risk after you move in. Bacteria can cause serious illnesses when they are not treated and properly removed from the home. Fortunately, a home inspector with bacteria testing experience can perform a thorough test for your potential property. By taking a look at whether a house has any bacteria contamination, you can embark on buying a house with total confidence.

Are you worried that you may have asbestos symptoms in San Francisco? If you think you have been exposed to asbestos in your home, it’s essential that you schedule a professional asbestos test. Watch this video to learn about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis is a chronic condition characterized by scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue. This disease progressively worsens over time and causes coughing, shortness of breath, and permanent lung damage.

Mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissue lining body cavities, most commonly in the chest and abdomen, is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is incurable, and life expectancy after diagnosis is short.

Asbestos exposure can cause serious, long-term health problems, so it’s important for your home to undergo professional asbestos testing in San Francisco if you exhibit asbestos symptoms. Only an expert in environmental and indoor air quality testing should perform asbestos testing. Here’s a look at the basic steps of preparing for and undergoing asbestos testing.

Identify a Risk of Asbestos Exposure
If you or anyone else in your household exhibits signs of asbestos exposure, or common asbestos symptoms, you’ll need professional asbestos testing in your home. If your home was constructed between 1920 and 1989, it may have been built with building materials that contain asbestos. These building materials include walls, flooring, pipes, textured paints, insulation, fireproofing materials, and electric wiring. When construction materials that contain asbestos begin to break down, the asbestos will become airborne, resulting in increasingly serious asbestos symptoms if the fibers are inhaled.

Hire an EPA-Approved Asbestos Tester
If you’ve identified areas of your home that put you at risk for asbestos exposure, such as disintegrating pipes, insulation, walls, tiles, or vinyl flooring, you must hire an EPA-approved asbestos tester. A professional asbestos tester is trained and licensed in safely handling and analyzing asbestos particles according to EPA regulations. Your asbestos tester will provide samples to an EPA-certified lab for analysis. You’ll then be informed as to whether you and your family are at risk for asbestos exposure.

Be Aware of the Asbestos Testing Procedure
EPA-certified asbestos contractors follow very strict procedures when performing asbestos testing. This procedure ensures safety, minimizes the risk of asbestos exposure, and ensures consistency in acquiring asbestos testing results. Anyone at risk of asbestos exposure must wear protective gear when in the room. The room is protected with plastic sheeting, and the area is sprayed with water to prevent airborne asbestos particles. Small samples of material are placed in an airtight container for testing. The sample area is contained to prevent asbestos particles from spreading. The protective gear that is contaminated by asbestos is placed in a sealed container and disposed of according to EPA regulations.