Types of Environmental Testing

How important is environmental testing? Does every home or business need to schedule an appointment? Running a test in every space is not necessary but in some instances, it can alert people to potential damage to breathing, their health and their bodies in general. There are three main tests that should be run if a person suspects there is a problem. The professionals can check for asbestos, lead, and mold.

Asbestos

At first glance, asbestos doesn't seem that harmful but once the material becomes airborne, it can cause all types of serious health concerns. In order to solve the problem, it is important to set up an appointment for environmental testing. A professional can come in and take different samples from the home or office to send out for further examination. The reports generated will help the company figure out how to handle the situation. Some people choose to renovate the area and try to make it usable again. Others choose complete demolition as their only other alternative.

Once the project is complete, the professionals will come back out to perform another series of tests to determine if the area is safe again. If necessary, they can come in a few months later to monitor the situation. This often gives a home or business owner some peace of mind.

Lead

Lead based paint has received a lot of attention in the media, especially when it comes to children's toys. The problem started around the 1960's when people began to notice certain health concerns that were tied into the ingestion of lead based paint. Even today, environmental testing could be necessary in homes that were built before 1980. Over 75% of the homes built before this time contained some type of lead based paints.

When a person looks to purchase an older property or remodel an older home, they often request environmental testing before proceeding. They need to be sure that the paint in the home is safe. If it isn't, there are two main solutions including abatement or encapsulation. The only way to make an informed decision is to use a professional.

Mold

If a home or office has taken on water in the past, there is a chance that some type of mold or fungus is growing in the area. Sometimes the growth is not noticeable. It can take place underneath the floors or inside the walls. If not treated, it continues to grow and cause physical problems for the inhabitants. While some people have a mild allergy to the growth, others can experience symptoms as serious as viral infections, muscle pains, and even shortness of breath.

Environmental testing confirms the existence of mold and helps a home or business owner get to the bottom of the problem. The affected areas need to be removed and replaced. A professional will come in once the job is complete to double check the work that was done to ensure that nothing is continuing to grow.