Commercial spaces have a plethora of bacteria all around. Whether that property is a store, office building, or any other business, chances are that germs and other pathogens reside there. Microorganisms may be invisible to the eye, but they are hearty and will grow and reproduce almost anywhere.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs, are a group of laboratory-made chemicals that were popular in use from the 1920s until 1977. The material was eventually banned, but because of its popularity, is often found across office buildings, construction sites, and residential homes. PCBs have no smell or taste and are usually oil-based and yellow-ish in color. They’re hard to detect and are often found in the food and water supply, making them a hazard in the environment.

Testing a commercial space for mold and bacteria has never been easier or more accurate. Laboratories have developed dozens of sampling methods for different materials. In a retail space, swab surface sampling detects bacteria living on smooth materials, like glass, metal, or painted surfaces. The process is quick and straightforward, and property owners can receive the results within a week.

If you have a concern that lead could be present in your property or business, it is important to contact an accredited lab to conduct the appropriate sample testing. Excessive amounts of lead can cause severe neurological, physical, and mental health disorders and should be remediated as soon as possible. Since older buildings and those near roads are more susceptible to high levels of lead and other metals, they should be sampled. At SanAir, we provide accredited and certified professional standardized lead and metals testing procedures and we maintain quality control assurance programs under strict guidelines. Here are a few ways that your lead testing may be performed at the SanAir laboratory:

Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria that exist in freshwater lakes and streams. However, when it comes to human-made water storage units, like a hot/cold heater, this bacteria can spread and turn deadly. Legionella bacteria can lead to Legionnaires’ disease just ten days after exposure. Legionnaires’ disease is an advanced form of pneumonia – and often has disastrous repercussions. To avoid the spread of illness through this water-borne bacteria, water systems should be tested regularly, either with at-home strips or preferably through a laboratory for more accurate results. There’s no vaccine for this disease, and the only way to prevent it is to make sure that owners and managers are maintaining the water systems.

Legionella is a serious public health issue, and the CDC has created a toolkit for property owners to help them make sure tenants and employees do not catch this deadly illness. There are several legal repercussions for owners that refuse to maintain their water systems.