Asbestos is the name that is given to a group of six fibrous minerals which occur naturally. You cannot see asbestos fibers with your naked eye because they are so small. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire and chemical or biological degradation. Asbestos is used in pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, vinyl sheet flooring, drywall, roofing singles and more.

Yes the fibers do. There are three major adverse health effects that are commonly associated with asbestos exposure: Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis.

Due to the use of asbestos in thousands of building products it's highly likely that it's present in some building materials in your commercial building or home. However there's no need to panic. Often times leaving asbestos materials that are not damaged alone is the best solution. Building materials that are in satisfactory condition are not dangerous because the asbestos fibers are not airborne and you won't be inhaling them into your lungs.

Lead was commonly used years ago in paint for homes and commercial buildings. If your residence or business building is older and no recent work has been done to it, it's possible that lead based paint is still present. Dust residue can come from dust particles that pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint, from past renovation projects or even from contaminated soil tracked into the building.

Portable XRF or X-Ray Fluorescence lead-based paint analyzers are primarily the most common method to inspecting buildings due to their ability to determine if lead-based paint is present on several surfaces. The also are able to measure the paint without destructive sampling or having to remove the paint.

In regards to the United States Environmental Protection Agency the removal of lead-based paint should be done by individuals and firms who perform lead abatement projects in pre-1978 target buildings.

According to the EPA allergic reactions to mold are quite common and they can be an immediate reaction or a delayed one. Exposure to mold can cause eye, skin, nose, throat and lung irritation. The more exposure to mold that a person encounters, the higher chance they have of having an allergic reaction to that particular species of mold.

Varieties of mold can be found in almost every environment and can be detected, both indoor and outdoor, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Mold grows indoors where humidity levels are high. Usually this occurs in places such as basements and showers.

Mold spores are among us all the time. They are present in our homes, outside, in our cars and in our work environments. Normally mold only becomes a problem when it is actively growing inside of a home or building due to the mycotoxin levels that build up to unsafe levels. If you want to stop the mold growth in a building, the water intrusion or source of humidity must be fixed.

Add a bathroom exhaust fan that is properly vented to outside of the building. Keep the exhaust fan on for at least 10 minutes after exiting the shower. Keep a dehumidifier going in the bathroom to reduce the humidity levels. Make sure your shower and/or tub is clear of any standing water and regularly cleaned with an anti-microbial cleaner.