Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods such as ceiling and floor tiles, popcorn ceilings, drywall mud, siding, under furnaces, vermiculite and insulation wrapped around pipes. We see easily identifiable asbestos materials but many require a real lab test. We are prepared to take samples on any inspection if you call it up.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, very small fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
According to the EPA, exposure to airborne friable asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
Sunshine Home Inspection, LLC can help. We can identify materials that may contain asbestos but the only way to find out for sure is to get the substance tested in a lab. We collect samples, send them to a lab and you get an accurate, scientific report.
LEAD PAINT TESTING
Lead is a highly toxic metal and it is all around older New Orleans. Lead was used for many years in paints. Some older paint has no lead, some has low lead concentrations and some are high. Lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in U.S. children. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. There is a good chance that any home, building, school or day care center built before 1978 contains some lead paint.
One million children are affected by lead poisoning, but when you know what to look for and what to do, lead poisoning is entirely preventable.
That is where Sunshine Home Inspection can help. We can test anything in your home for lead. We send off our sample and about 4 working days later you get back the raw lab report and a write up from us. We encourage all parents to get your children tested for lead in their blood. We hear about these horror stories all the time.