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Answers to Common Questions About Asbestos
The idea of being exposed to asbestos in your own home can be very scary, especially if you don’t know anything about it. If you suspect asbestos exposure, you should familiarize yourself with asbestos so that you know what it is and how it might affect you. You should also have asbestos testing in San Francisco done to confirm whether or not asbestos is present in your home or business. Here are the answers to some common questions about asbestos.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral that can be broken down into durable fibers that are then woven into larger fabrics and used to create many things. Traditionally, asbestos has been used in many building materials because it is fire- and heat-resistant and does not conduct electricity well.What are some of the health risks associated with asbestos?
While asbestos is great for building, it is also a serious health hazard. If products that were made using asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers can be freed into the air and end up in your lungs. They can remain there for a long period of time and cause scarring, inflammation, breathing issues, and even cancer. Asbestos is a carcinogen recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and can be extremely dangerous.What are the symptoms of asbestos exposure?
If you believe you experienced asbestos exposure, there are a number of asbestos symptoms that you should look out for. For example, shortness of breath, blood coughed up from the lungs, tightening of the chest, sudden weight loss, swelling of the face, and fatigue are all signs of asbestos-related health issues and should be treated immediately.What is the best way to remove asbestos?
Homeowners should never attempt to remove asbestos on their own. A home must be treated properly in order to remove asbestos without disturbing it. Without professional help, you could run the risk of disturbing the asbestos in your home and breathing it in, which could lead to very serious complications. -
Bacteria Testing 101
Every home has bacteria, and many types of bacteria can even be good for you and your family. However, some bacteria can be hazardous to your health. Fortunately, companies that specialize in mold and asbestos testing in San Francisco often can also test for harmful bacteria in your home. To learn about bacteria testing, keep reading.
Like asbestos testing, getting a bacteria test performed in your home can help to protect your family from health hazards. There are generally two types of assessments that should be made. The first is a preliminary bacteria/sewage assessment. This assessment will check to see if sewage indicator bacteria are present in your home. The other assessment is a follow-up assessment to determine that the remediation efforts were successful. This assessment will take surface samples to make sure there are no sewage indicator bacteria present. If the first assessment was done correctly, your home will be cleared.
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A Look at Asbestos in the Home
Asbestos is a mineral fiber, and if it becomes damaged, it can be hazardous to you and your family. Unfortunately, asbestos can be found in many older homes across America. Working with a company that can do asbestos testing in San Francisco will be able to tell you if asbestos is in your house. If you are looking to learn more about asbestos and its potential dangers, read on.
Where Can Asbestos Be Found?
Oftentimes, one can find asbestos in roofing shingles or installation of older homes. If your home was built prior to 1977, you may find that asbestos exists in textured paints, often found on the ceiling. As wonderful as it is to have an old wood stove in your home, be aware that the walls and floor surrounding it may have been protected with asbestos paper. Also, you should look for asbestos around your hot water pipes, as they may be coated with an asbestos tape.How is Asbestos Hazardous to Your Health?
Some health concerns related to asbestos are worse than others, but all asbestos symptoms should be taken seriously. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer when high amounts of asbestos fibers are inhaled. If you smoke and breathe in vast amounts of asbestos over time, your chances of lung cancer increase. Usually, symptoms of lung cancer from asbestos will not occur for 20-30 years after the exposure.How Do You to Detect Asbestos in Your Home?
The safest way to detect if asbestos is in your home is to hire a company in your area that specializes in asbestos testing. If there is damaged asbestos in your home, it is best to contact a company to conduct the testing as soon as possible.How to Stop Asbestos Exposure in Your Home?
If your test results show that damaged asbestos is in your home, it is best to repair the damaged materials. This can be done by covering or sealing the damaged areas. However, in some cases removal may be necessary to keep you and your family healthy. -
Why Is Asbestos Removal Important?
Whether you are planning on renovating an older home or are concerned about the safety of your current property, you may want to consider scheduling asbestos testing. Asbestos is a building material that was widely used for construction up until the 1970s. Once the deadly dangers of asbestos symptoms become widely known, may property owners chose to remove this highly hazardous substance from their properties. A company offering asbestos testing in San Francisco can help you identify and treat any areas of your home that may be contaminated with asbestos. Here is a look at some of the top reasons why asbestos removal is so important.
Asbestos Is Widely Present
One of the top reasons why asbestos removal is so important is that this toxic substance is widely present in homes and buildings across the country. According to recent studies , as many as 30 million commercial and residential buildings contain a significant amount of asbestos. If your property is contaminated with asbestos, it is critical to schedule removal services right away.Asbestos Harms Your Health
Another important reason to have your home tested for asbestos is that asbestos fibers are extremely damaging to your health. Ongoing exposure to asbestos has been linked to a number of potentially fatal health conditions, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. By having asbestos removed by a highly rated contractor in your area, you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you and your loved ones are protected from the threat of asbestos contamination.Asbestos Removal May Be Required
In certain instances, asbestos removal may be required by law. For example, if you are planning on renovating an older building, or demolishing a property, you will typically be required to perform an asbestos inspection. If asbestos is found in your building, you will need to have the contaminated areas cleaned before you are able to proceed with your project. -
Tips for Choosing an Abatement Contractor
In the event that asbestos testing at your home signals that you have an asbestos problem, your next step will be to hire an abatement contractor. Your abatement contractor will be responsible for clearing away the asbestos and ensuring that you and your loved ones are not at risk of asbestos exposure. A company offering asbestos testing in San Francisco can help you choose the best abatement contractor for your needs. Before you hire your abatement contractor, you may want to ask the company for a bid or estimate on the services that will be performed. In addition, it is a good idea to ask your abatement contractor about their credentials and qualifications. A fully licensed and insured contractor is the best choice for your asbestos removal procedures. If you are concerned about asbestos in your home, do not hesitate to schedule an asbestos test with a highly rated company near you.
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A Look Back at the History of Asbestos
Asbestos is a building material that is commonly found in older homes and buildings. Since asbestos symptoms can lead to serious and potentially fatal health issues, it is of the utmost importance to schedule asbestos testing if you think that you may have asbestos in your home. During asbestos testing in San Francisco, a team of skilled technicians will determine whether or not your home is contaminated with this harmful substance. To highlight the importance of scheduling an asbestos test for your home, here is a quick look back at some of the facts about the history of asbestos.
Asbestos in Ancient Times
The history of asbestos can be traced back many thousands of years, and the first reported use of the substance was as early as 4000 B.C. In ancient times, asbestos was used to fabricate candle wicks and many other commonly used household items. Traces of asbestos have also been found in mummies from ancient Egypt. Even in this early era, asbestos related illnesses were reported.Asbestos in the Middle Ages
As human culture expanded, so did our use of asbestos. Since asbestos occurs naturally in the earth, this substance was readily available for artisans during the middle ages. In fact, France’s King Charlemagne ordered his fireproof tablecloths to be constructed out of asbestos. Additionally, asbestos was a common material for armor, weapons, and other forms of artillery. Asbestos was prized for its durability and ability to resist flames.Asbestos in the Modern Era
Asbestos usage continued into the modern era, and this material became common for bulling and construction during the Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries. This durable and flame resistant resource made it a top choice for building contractors. Over time, however, the health dangers of asbestos were recognized. By the 1970s, medical professionals and scientists had begun studying the negative health impacts of asbestos exposure. Today, many homeowners are choosing to clear asbestos out of their buildings. -
How Does Asbestos Abatement Work?
If you live in an older home, there is a chance that asbestos could be hiding somewhere on your property. If asbestos testing has uncovered a problem in your home, you will need to schedule immediate asbestos abatement services . Since asbestos is a highly toxic substance, your abatement contractor will use protective gear and other precautions to make sure that the technicians performing your removal are not subjected to asbestos exposure. During the removal, specialized tools will be used to completely clear away and seal any asbestos that is lurking in your home.
To ensure that your asbestos test has been performed to completion, you can hire a secondary asbestos testing company to perform a final inspection. If the asbestos test shows that no asbestos fibers are present in your home, you will be able to reoccupy your residence. A company offering asbestos testing in San Francisco can provide you with more information about your options for removal and inspection.
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What Is Asbestosis?
If you are concerned about asbestos in your home, it is highly important to schedule asbestos testing right away. With a thorough asbestos test, you can make sure that your household is not at risk of being exposed to harmful asbestos fibers. One of the health dangers associated with asbestos is asbestosis. This lung disease is caused by damage from asbestos fibers, which are incredibly sharp microscopic particles. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can scar the delicate tissue of the lungs. Since asbestos fibers are microscopic, they can linger in the air without being detected. Over the decades, this scarring can lead to asbestos symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pains. Since asbestosis may not develop until decades after the initial exposure, it is important to protect your health by setting up asbestos testing right away. An asbestos test will determine if there are harmful fibers in your air, and can get you on the road to proper remediation for your home.
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Why Asbestos Testing Can’t Wait
If you are concerned about asbestos in your property, it is important to act fast to schedule asbestos testing procedures. There are many important reasons why you should not delay to set up an asbestos test for your property. Since asbestos symptoms worsen the longer a person is exposed to the substance, waiting to schedule asbestos testing could put yourself and others at great risk. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of very serious health conditions, including lung cancer and asbestosis. Since asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, it is easy to be exposed to asbestos, without even knowing that you are in danger. By taking the proactive steps to schedule asbestos testing in San Francisco, you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you have done everything that you can to protect your loved ones from the dangers posed by this deadly substance.
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Understanding Asbestosis
Asbestosis is one reason why you might need to call an asbestos removal company. Asbestos removal can help prevent this chronic lung disease, which develops with prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers . Some of the symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry cough that may be bloody. To learn more about asbestosis and the importance of asbestos removal, watch this video.
This animation depicts normal respiration and shows what happens when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Once in the airways, these small particles are attacked by macrophages, a type of immune cell. However, asbestos particles readily destroy macrophages, which release enzymes during cell death. These enzymes irritate the lung tissue, leading to the development of scar tissue in the lungs. By contracting with an asbestos removal company serving San Francisco, you can reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.
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