The air inside of your home might not be as clean as you think it is. You shouldn’t wait for asbestos, lead, or mold symptoms to show up before you have asbestos, lead, or mold testing in San Francisco done. Safe Air Fast specializes in environmental testing and uses state-of-the-art equipment to find mold, lead, asbestos, and other harmful contaminants inside your home.

Many older homes in San Francisco contain asbestos and lead that can cause serious health risks. Often times, homeowners don’t even realize they have either of them until they are suffering the consequences. Mold is another big issue for those who have excessive moisture in their homes, which is particularly problematic in a damp city like San Francisco. But people often wait until mold symptoms show up before seeking help with possible mold growth. When you contact Safe Air Fast, we will perform an asbestos, lead, or mold test in your home and give you the peace of mind that comes along with it.

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.

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.

Black mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance in your home. When your property is affected by black mold, you and your loved ones could be at risk of developing black mold symptoms. Since black mold spores are highly toxic to humans, prolonged exposure to areas that are contaminated with mold could lead to serious health problems. If you or a loved one are experiencing mold symptoms , you should be sure to set up a mold inspection in San Francisco. To help you decide whether your home is in need of black mold testing, here is a closer look at some of the most

common mold symptoms.

Respiratory Symptoms
Respiratory symptoms are among the most common indicators of a reaction to toxic black mold . When a person is sensitive to mold, he or she may develop problems breathing, as well as a continual cough. In certain cases, black mold has also been linked to other serious health issues, such as pulmonary edema and asthma. If you or a loved one is having difficulty breathing in your home, you may have a black mold issue.

Circulatory Symptoms
Black mold can affect a person’s circulatory system, as well as his or her breathing. Some of the common signs of circulatory issues include low blood pressure, difficulty with blood clotting, or internal bleeding. Since these circulatory problems can potentially become quite serious, it is a very good idea to set up a mold testing appointment at the first sign of black mold in your home.

Eye and Skin Symptoms
Exposure to black mold can also lead to irritation around the eyes and on the skin. For example, black mold may cause a person to develop itchy or watery eyes. In addition, repeated exposure to black mold spores can also lead to dermatitis and other skin related issues. If you are concerned about protecting your family from these black mold symptoms, you should be sure to set up a black mold testing appointment today.

A sewer overflow can put you at risk of being exposed to raw sewage. Along with spreading harmful diseases, a sewer overflow can also cause major property damage to your home or building. Sewer overflows can be caused by blockages, breaks in the pipe, or an insufficient sewer capacity. A company offering bacteria testing in San Francisco can help you safely clean up after a sewer emergency in your home. By setting up a bacteria test, you can rest assured that your home has been completely freed of any lingering sewage waste. In addition, your bacteria testing company can also provide you with a mold test in the event that your home experience extensive water damage. To learn more about the dangers of sewage contamination, be sure to watch this video.

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.

There are many different types of molds or mildew that can thrive indoors as well as outdoors. A building may require mold removal if it features a warm, humid environment, such as a shower stall in a home. Mold test and removal is essential because even though the mold appears to be stationary, it releases tiny mold spores that drift through the air. If you’ve been exposed to mold, you may suffer from ill health effects.

Allergic Reactions
Some people may suffer from allergic reactions upon being exposed to mold. These symptoms may arise immediately after exposure; however, for some people, it takes a while to experience symptoms. Some of the possible signs of a mold allergy include coughing, wheezing, sneezing, tearing of the eyes. A runny nose, rash, and skin irritation can also indicate a mold allergy. However, even if you aren’t allergic to mold, it is possible to experience some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction, namely irritation of the airways, eyes, and skin.

Asthma Attacks
If you’re allergic to mold and you have asthma, it’s particularly important to contact a mold removal service in San Francisco. Some of the signs of an asthma attack include chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. You may experience breathing problems, such as gasping for air, breathing faster than usual, and feeling as though you’re out of breath. If you do suffer an asthma attack because of mold, follow your physician’s recommended treatment plan. This will likely include using a rescue inhaler and going to the nearest emergency room.

Respiratory Infections
There is some evidence that mold exposure can cause respiratory infections. This may be more likely to occur to individuals who have a compromised immune system and those who have a chronic lung disease. A mold removal company can help you prevent these dangerous complications.

Sick Building Syndrome
Sick building syndrome is a term that refers to undefinable medical concerns linked to a particular building. For example, a group of individuals who frequent an office building may all develop similar symptoms after spending time in that building. These symptoms may include respiratory complaints, headaches, fatigue, skin irritation, and even gastrointestinal problems. Despite the similarity of the health complaints, professionals are unable to diagnose a specific illness, hence the term, “sick building syndrome.” Sick building syndrome is believed to have a number of causes, including exposure to mold.

You likely give little thought to the air you breathe inside your home or office each day, so you may be surprised to learn just how important indoor air quality can be. There are a number of things that can impact your air quality, and you may need help from an asbestos removal and mold removal company serving San Francisco to ensure your home’s air is safe for you and your family. Continue reading to learn three important facts about indoor air quality.

It Can Be Worse Than Outdoor Air Quality
While outdoor air can have many pollutants, many homes and office buildings actually have worse air quality than the outdoors. Chemicals in paint and other construction materials, mold growth, and dust can all negatively impact indoor air quality. Some older buildings may also have lead paint and asbestos insulation, which can both contribute to poor indoor air quality.

It Can Impact Your Health and Comfort
If your home has poor indoor air quality , your family’s health may suffer. Inhaling mold spores can cause a number of symptoms, including respiratory problems and headaches. Lead paint inhalation can be toxic, while inhaling asbestos particles can cause potentially fatal cancer. Even if your home is free from these toxic substances, it can still have poor indoor air quality due to dust buildup in your home, which can contribute to allergies.

There Are Steps You Can Take to Improve It
One of the simplest steps you can take to improve your home’s indoor air quality is to change your HVAC filter every month. It’s also important to regularly clean your home and launder your linens to keep allergens at a minimum. If you suspect that your home may have lead paint or asbestos, you can arrange to have lead paint testing or asbestos testing performed and, if necessary, schedule lead paint or asbestos removal. If your home is harboring mold growth, schedule mold remediation services to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Your home should be a place where you can relax and feel safe. Unfortunately, indoor air pollution is a very real concern that could impact your comfort and health. According to some estimates, indoor air pollutant levels are about 5 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels—a disturbing figure considering that the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. If you suspect that your indoor air isn’t as clean as it could be, let San Francisco indoor air quality experts evaluate your indoor air quality. Here are a few signs that your home may have a high amount of indoor air pollutants.

Unpleasant Smell
If there’s something amiss with your indoor air quality, you’ll likely be able to smell it. Mold has a distinct musty smell, and potentially harmful chemicals may have more of a harsh scent. To determine whether your home has an odd smell, consider going outside for a minute then coming back in.

Throat Discomfort
Do you often wake up with a sore throat? There’s a good chance that your indoor air quality isn’t as good as it could be. A sore throat could be caused by mold spores, or it could be caused by low humidity. If your home has low humidity, you might consider purchasing a humidifier.

Mold Growth
Mold thrives in dark, moist environments. If your indoor humidity is too high, there’s a good chance that mold will start growing on your walls, furniture, and floors. Mold is usually easy to recognize; if mold is growing in your home, you should be able to detect a musty smell and black or green splotches on your indoor surfaces.

Health Concerns
Indoor air pollution can cause a wide range of health concerns, including respiratory disorders and even neurological disorders. Lead exposure—often caused by lead-based paint—can cause behavioral and developmental problems in younger children. If you or your family members feel ill more often than you should, indoor air pollution could be to blame.

You probably feel safest and most comfortable in your home—but perhaps you should be more careful. Indoor air pollution can be as bad (if not worse) as outdoor air pollution in major developed cities. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution can cause or contribute to the development of serious cardiovascular conditions, including asthma and a number of other chronic lung diseases. Have your home tested for mold, asbestos, lead, and bacteria , and look out for these common sources of indoor air pollution.

Biological Pollutants
Biological indoor pollutants include molds, bacteria, viruses, pollen, animal dander, and particles from dust mites and cockroaches. To keep biological pollutants under control, wash bedding and sweep/vacuum your floors regularly to kill dust mites, control moisture to prevent mold growth, and hire a mold testing company to inspect your home for harmful biological pollutants.

Combustion Pollutants
Combustion pollutants come from sources such as fuel burning stoves, furnaces, and gas-burning appliances such as water heaters and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the most dangerous gases produced by such sources. Make sure combustion appliances are installed and maintained by professionals, and make sure your home is properly ventilated.

Asbestos
Although asbestos use is now outlawed in the U.S., it was once one of the most popular building and construction materials in the country. Asbestos produces microscopic fibers that, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause asbestosis (scaring of the lung tissue), lung cancer, and mesothelioma. If your home or office building was built before 1980, hire an asbestos testing and removal company in San Francisco immediately.

Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter your home or business through cracks in the foundation floor, drains, and other opening. Indoor radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Test your home for radon regularly and follow recommendations for further testing and repairs.