Lead is an element that is found in small amounts in the Earth’s crust. Lead has many beneficial uses; it is found in paint, plumbing, batteries, ceramics, and gasoline. However, lead can also be extremely dangerous to people. To find out about the dangers of lead paint, and why it’s important to get a lead test in San Francisco , read on.

Lead can be quite harmful to human health, especially to the health of children, because children absorb more lead through their growing bodies than adults do, and children are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead exposure and lead poisoning. It is especially important for pregnant women to be spared the damaging effects of lead exposure and lead poisoning. If you believe your home or business contains lead paint, schedule a lead paint testing service with Safe Air Fast right away. We offer commercial and residential lead testing.

If your home was built before 1978, you may want to schedule lead testing for your home. Before 1978, lead was a common ingredient in household paint. Once the dangers of lead poisoning were realized, this toxic substance was banned for residential and commercial use. During a lead test, a technician will look for areas of peeling paint where lead could potentially be exposed to the air. A company offering lead testing in San Francisco can help you determine whether your home or rental property poses the threat of lead poisoning. To take a look at the steps behind lead based paint detection procedures, be sure to watch this video from HowStuffWorks.

Lead poisoning can lead to a number of serious health risks. Lead paint testing is always a good idea, particularly if you have small children. This is because young children tend to put objects and fingers in their mouths, increasing their risk of lead exposure. Lead paint removal is also essential if you or a loved one is pregnant, since lead poisoning can cause serious harm to a developing fetus.

There are other reasons why you might call a lead paint removal company serving San Francisco. Homes that were built prior to 1950 almost always require lead paint removal. Those that were built before 1978 are also more likely to feature lead paint. It’s particularly important to test a home that has peeling or chipping paint, and a home that you plan to repaint or otherwise renovate. Even if you’re certain that your home does not feature lead paint, you may need to work with a lead removal company. If your home is close to a freeway, exhaust from leaded gasoline may have increased the lead content of the soil.

Lead poisoning is a serious concern for families with young children, particularly those that live in older homes. Children can be exposed to lead by inhaling or swallowing it, or by absorbing it through the skin. Once lead enters into a child’s body, it is distributed throughout the tissues, causing widespread damage and a variety of symptoms. If you have young children or you’re an expectant parent, contact a company that offers lead paint testing in San Francisco. By testing your home and arranging for lead paint removal , if necessary, you can protect your youngsters from acute and chronic lead poisoning.

Physical Symptoms
It’s common for kids who have been exposed to lead to not display any symptoms of lead poisoning. This is one reason why you should call a company about lead paint testing despite the absence of symptoms. When kids do display symptoms, they can include headaches, fatigue, and a metallic taste in the mouth. They may experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, or nausea. Parents might also observe loss of appetite, weight loss, and pale skin caused by anemia. Children may complain of muscle and joint pain or weakness, and they may suffer from seizures.

Behavioral Signs
Lead paint removal is essential for eliminating the possibility of behavioral and cognitive changes among kids . Behavioral problems may be accompanied by irritability and difficulty concentrating. Some children may appear to be inattentive, while others are hyperactive. Lead poisoning may easily be mistaken for the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Long-Term Effects
When children are exposed to lead for a prolonged period of time, additional health problems can develop. They may have delayed muscle and bone growth, impaired muscle coordination. Seizures followed by unconsciousness may occur, and children may suffer from hearing loss and damage to the nervous system or kidneys. Developmental delays, and speech and language problems are also associated with exposure to lead paint.

If you look at the periodic table, you’ll see several elements that you need to consume for good health—calcium, zinc, and iron are just a few that you might recognize. However, lead is one element that is not good for your health. If you live in an older Bay Area home, contacting a lead paint removal company serving San Francisco and scheduling lead paint testing may be essential for your health and that of your family.

This video provides additional information about the dangers of lead poisoning. Being exposed to even small amounts of lead can be extremely dangerous. It’s not just your two-legged family members who are at risk of poisoning if you don’t schedule lead paint removal—your family pets may also be affected by lead paint. Watch this full video clip to learn how lead can enter the body and affect your health.

Lead is a heavy metal that was used for many residential and commercial purposes, the most notable being lead paint and lead varnishes. Lead-based paint was available to the general public until 1978, when it was banned for residential use due to the toxicity of lead. If you live in an older home or apartment building in San Francisco, contact a lead paint testing and removal company to protect yourself and your family from the harmful side effects of lead poisoning. To clear the air surrounding lead, here’s the truth behind some of the most common myths about lead poisoning.

Myth: Eating Paint Chips is the Only Way to Get Lead Poisoning
While eating paint chips or chewing on things that have lead paint are obvious ways a child can be poisoned by lead, he or she only has to breathe lead dust to become poisoned. Toys that have come into contact with lead dust can also poison a child when put in the mouth.

Myth: Low Levels of Lead are Harmless
The truth is that even very low levels of lead in a child’s blood can create long-term developmental problems. If your child’s doctor finds evidence of lead poisoning, contact a lead paint removal company in San Francisco to eliminate the risk of further contact with lead.

Myth: Lead Poisoning is Not a Problem Anymore
It’s true that lead-based paint is no longer available to the general public, but that doesn’t mean lead poisoning isn’t a very real problem. As lead-based paint gets older, it begins to peel and chip. Old lead-based paint also creates dust that can be inhaled and lead to lead poisoning in children and adults.

Myth: Only Children are at Risk from Lead Poisoning
Speaking of adults, children are not the only ones who are at risk for lead poisoning. It’s true that children are especially vulnerable to the toxicity of lead, but adult health can also be compromised by lead poisoning. For example, exposure among adults can result in reproductive complications. Even if you don’t have children in your home, contact a lead removal company if you suspect your home contains lead-based paint.

Although adults are also at risk of lead poisoning, children are most susceptible to lead poisoning. Child lead poisoning can occur quite easily when children crawl or play on contaminated surfaces and subsequently ingest or inhale lead dust. High levels of lead in a child’s blood can cause seizures, coma, and death. Even very low levels of lead can lead to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, malformed bones, and slow growth. Look for signs of irritability, sluggishness, fatigue, and learning difficulties in children. Loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation are also signs of lead poisoning.

If you suspect that your home is subjecting yourself or your family to lead, contact a lead paint inspection company in San Francisco. If lead is discovered in your home, a professional lead removal company can safely remove the threat from your home. Lead inspection is particularly important if your home was built before 1978.

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.

The story of lead paint goes back thousands of years, when early civilizations discovered how useful the heavy metal was. In the 19 ^th century, lead was added to paint (especially exterior paint) because of its strength, durability, and the way it enhanced the paint’s color and performance. Unfortunately, lead exposure can have numerous damaging effects on the body. In adults, it is not uncommon to experience emotional symptoms such as aggressiveness. In high doses, lead poisoning can cause coma and even death. The real danger is when children are exposed to lead paint poisoning, as low levels can cause long-term developmental issues, including brain defects.

Watch this video to learn more about the dangers of lead paint poisoning. If your home or commercial building uses lead paint, contact a lead paint removal company in San Francisco . And if you aren’t sure about the type of paint on your home or business, a lead paint testing company can find out. Lead paint removal can be dangerous, so leave it to a professional.

In years past, paint and other building materials often contained lead. Until 1978, lead was a common ingredient in many types of paints and varnishes. Today, it is recognized that lead is an extremely toxic and dangerous substance. Lead poisoning can lead to health problems in the brain and central nervous system. To protect your family against lead poisoning, it is a great idea to schedule a lead paint removal service .

At Safe Air Fast, we provide lead paint removal in San Francisco. Along with our lead removal and mold remediation services, we also offer asbestos testing and removal. When our technicians visit your home, we will perform a comprehensive lead based paint survey. If lead paint is detected, we will safely remove all contaminated paint from your property. By removing lead based paint from your home, you will help to ensure the health and well being of yourself and your loved ones.