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Enkay Engineering FAQ's
Is all mold hazardous?
No. Mold spores are actually a natural element in all household dust, and in this context they are perfectly safe for healthy people. It is only when molds multiply and grow to considerable quantities that they can become hazardous. This kind of multiplication follows exposure to moisture, so when a building has had water damage there is an increased risk of hazardous amounts of mold. When molds are present in these high quantities, they may also produce what are called mycotoxins, which are toxins that can be severely harmful to people and animals. Therefore, it is important to investigate and treat water-damaged areas of buildings as soon as possible.
Is all asbestos and lead-based paint hazardous?
Asbestos in buildings is also generally safe because it is usually sealed off in some way, such as inside the dry-wall plaster, tile or other materials in which it was used. It only becomes hazardous when it is exposed and therefore can become airborne. This may happen when the dry-wall plaster is drilled into, when the tiles break, or any other situation in which the asbestos fibers inside the material become dislodged and exposed.
Likewise, lead-based paint is hazardous when lead paint dust is dislodged and can become airborne, or ingested through hand-to-mouth contact by children. It is also hazardous if the paint chips and children eat the chips. Otherwise, the presence of lead-based paint is generally safe. Lead paint dust can become airborne and lead paint chips can become dislodged when the paint is cracked, chipped or otherwise disrupted, which can occur during remodeling, repainting, or simply natural deterioration of the lead-based paint over time. Fortunately for those planning to remodel, on April 22, 2010 the EPA began requiring all renovators who work in homes built before 1978 and who plan to disturb more than six square-feet of lead paint to be specially trained and certified to do the job safely.
What are the health effects of exposure to high quantities of mold?
Exposure to high quantities of mold can cause allergic and respiratory problems. In the case of toxic molds, exposure can cause neurological problems and even death. This is why it is important to hire a professional, experienced and qualified Environmental Contractor to survey your building and test water-damaged areas or areas with a visible mold problem, so that they can get the results as soon as possible and begin treating the problem if necessary.
What are the health effects of lead-based paint exposure?
The health effects on children of exposure to lead can be very serious, including impaired motor skills, learning disabilities, slowing of the normal growth rate, anemia and hyperactivity. When lead gets into the bloodstream of a child, it can even be deadly. In adults, the consequences of lead exposure are equally severe, ranging from moderate to deadly effects. These include hypertension, damage to internal organs, damage to the nervous system, and even cancer. Women who suffer from lead exposure may also experience damage to their reproductive systems, and pregnant women may experience premature birth and low birth weight of the baby. Both children and adults can suffer from red blood cell damage and nerve damage. While this information may be frightening, you can take steps to evaluate and eliminate the lead paint health risk in your home. Call an experienced, professional Environmental Contractor like Enkay Engineering to conduct a survey of your property and test potential problem areas. Then we can contain and remove the hazardous portion of lead-based paint and clean and decontaminate your site.
What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
Fortunately, most people who are exposed to low levels of asbestos never experience serious health issues. However, long-term exposure creates a serious health risk. People with long-term exposure to asbestos can develop a rare form of cancer properly called malignant mesothelioma. Most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to an occupational asbestos hazard, are a family member of a person thus exposed, or are a person with other exposure to asbestos dust and fiber. There has been a huge amount of litigation surrounding occupational asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
If you're worried that your home or commercial or government property may contain exposed asbestos, call a professional Environmental Contractor as soon as possible. For the best quality and most accurate survey and testing, rely on a company like Enkay Engineering that has decades of experience, the highest qualifications and proper certification. If we do find an asbestos hazard, we will remove or seal it off safely and thoroughly, and dispose of all materials according to EPA rules and regulations.
How do I know if my home or other building contains asbestos or lead-based paint?
You can hire a professionally licensed and certified Environmental Contractor, such as Enkay Engineering, to take a survey of your home or building. The higher a company's qualifications and the greater its years of business, the likelier it is that your survey will be done thoroughly and accurately. That's why thousands of satisfied customers have continued to recommend Enkay Engineering's expert asbestos abatement and lead-based paint removal services since our founding in 1986.