How long can coronavirus (COVID-19) live on surfaces?
With the recent outbreak of corona virus, which causes the disease COVID19, in the United State and other countries, proper cleaning and sanitation is paramount. It is well known that this virus can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces. Many non-essential businesses are closing along
Read morePreventing Coronavirus Transmission at Dental Offices
How has Hawk Environmental been involved with the pandemic? Hawk Environmental has been involved with efforts to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Our first efforts included supplying HEPA air filtration to
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How to create a cleaning and testing procedure for Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in your building?
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted every person and business in the United States, and the risks for infection and liability are still poorly understood. Many of our clients have been asking for guidance or protocols on what they should do to clean and sanitize their buildings. While
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Air Filtration for Coronavirus: What is the best filter choice?
Why HEPA is the best choice for combatting coronavirus: As the global pandemic of the disease known as COVID-19 grows in size, businesses and home owners are trying to find ways to protect themselves, their employees, and their customers. We know that one of the ways that the coronavirus
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What Types of Surface Testing for Coronavirus are Available?
With the recent pandemic of coronavirus that causes COVID 19, there are a few different types of test kits for surfaces and buildings that are now being shipped. When choosing a style or type of test kit, its very important to understand how the technology works. Will the test kit be
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Can portable air scrubbers be used to remove crystalline silica dust?
What is silica dust and where does it come from? Crystalline silica is a natural mineral that is found in rock and sand. While this material is widely prevalent throughout the world, and generally thought of as inert, when crystalline silica becomes and airborne dust the inhalation hazards
Read moreDIY Asbestos Removal – Know the Risks
DIY asbestos removal is fraught with risks for those carrying out the removal and individuals in the immediate vicinity of the affected area. Irrespective of the volume of asbestos being removed or the scope of the project, handling asbestos without proper care and training can lead to disastrous
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Electric Air Cleaners & What You Need To Know
What do Electronic Air Purifiers (Photo-Catalytic Oxidizers, ESPs, Ionizers) do? Photo-Catalytic Oxidizers (PCO), Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs), and ionizers are electronic air cleaners that use a powered electrostatic process or ultra-violet lights to charge particles, which then become
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Your Guide to Home Inspections
If you are in the process of buying a home, you’re probably juggling many things on your to-do list. From viewing houses to planning finances, house buyers must take many steps before purchasing their dream homes. Home inspections are a crucial part of the home-buying process (and they’re
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How Your Home’s Flooring Materials Affects Indoor Air Quality
Flooring materials have a bigger impact on indoor air quality than you may think. For homes, offices, schools, and other facilities, being mindful of the materials in your flooring is a wise way to look out for your community’s health. Whether you are seeking the best material for your space or
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Four Things You Can Do To Maintain Your Office’s Air Quality
Poor office air quality can take a toll on your employee’s well-being. From inefficient ventilation systems to prolonged exposure to mold and dust, many things can contaminate your office’s air. Making clean air in your space a priority is an easy way to keep your employees happy and healthy
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Is Your Office Air Quality Taking A Toll On Your Health?
Because most people spend large parts of their days inside offices, poor air quality in your office can take a big toll on your health. Here's what you need to know about maintaining high air quality in your workplace.
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Winter Mold Prevention
Mold thrives in wet climates. If your home is getting excessive moisture this winter, put some of these winter mold prevention best practices into action.
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How to Test Makeup & Cosmetics for Asbestos
Asbestos in cosmetics and makeup has been a recent concern in the U.S. For anyone concerned about presence of asbestos in this cosmetic products, check out this guide to understand risk and prevention.
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Mold in Your Everyday Life: What You Need to Know
Mold is prevalent in homes, school, and workplaces in the Pacific Northwest. Here's what you need know about mold prevention and some warning signs that mold may be present.
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The Essential Checklist for Office Building Inspections
Is your space ready for Spring? From mold prevention to HVAC maintenance and more, use this checklist to find out.
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How Regular HVAC System Maintenance Can Save Your Company Money
Do you regularly maintain your HVAC systems? Here's why you should make an effort to maintain your HVAC systems and how to get started.
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How Choosing the Right Air Filters Change the Environment of Your Workplace
Poor indoor air quality can take a toll on your employee's health. Here are some best practices and things to keep in mind when selecting filters for your workspace.
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Asbestos Risks & Concerns to Consider
Is asbestos a thing of the past? Here's what you need to know about asbestos detection and prevention in various types of buildings.
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Understanding the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) Test
The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is means of measuring mold in your home. Here's why Hawk Environmental does not use this method.
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Everything You Need To Know About Lead & Its Risks
Lead is a prevalent compound occurring in a number of substances. Use this guide to determine if you are at risk for lead-based illness.
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Testing Indoor Air Quality For Your Office
Quality equipment is key to getting accurate results when testing indoor air quality. Here's a breakdown of the equipment we use in our testing and why it leads to great results.
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To Protect Your Family as Cold Season Begins, Start with Your Home
There are many easy steps to take to prevent your family from getting colds this season. Here are a few simple steps to take to keep you healthy this fall and winter.
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Why the Air in New Buildings Is Still Dangerous
While many people think to investigate air quality in older buildings, fewer people are aware that there can also be air quality hazards in newer building. Here's what you need to know.
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What Environments are MOST in Danger of Bad Air Quality?
Not all toxic air environments are made equal. If you spend a lot of time in construction zones, industrial areas, and certain office spaces, be sure to know these following about air quality.
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Recent Harvard-Led Study Increases Awareness of the Link Between Indoor Air Quality and Cognition
This recent Harvard-Led study found a correlation between indoor air quality and cognition. Read more to find out of you may be at risk.
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Common Sources of Office Air Quality Contaminants
Is your office space at risk for poor air quality? If your office space has these contaminants, you may be at risk.
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Silent and Invisible: Poor Air Quality Harms Your Health
Poor air quality is tied to a number of negative health consequences. Here's what you need to know about indoor air quality and your health.
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Can I Test My Indoor Air Quality Myself?
Do-It-Yourself solutions can be tempting in many cases. Here are some thoughts on whether or not you can DIY your indoor air quality testing.
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Health Risks of VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) can cause a number of health consequences. Learn more about these naturally occurring compounds and how to combat their effects.
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Indoor Air Quality Testing for Carbon Dioxide
High levels of carbon dioxide can be toxic to your health. Here's what you need to know about air quality testing for carbon dioxide.
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The Value of Regular Air Quality Testing for Offices
Air quality testing can keep employees safe, help avoid lawsuits, increase productivity and more. Learn more about the value of regular air quality testing for your office space.
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A Guide to OSHA Safety Training
The United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) enforces strict safety regulations to keep employees safe. Here's what you need to know about this safety training.
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5 Factors That Contribute to Bad Office Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is the result of many factors. Here are a few to be aware of and to avoid for best results.
Read moreInspection Finds Source of Sewer Odors in a Restaurant
Foul odors from sewer or waste-water pipes can be a serious issue for an restaurant, office or retail space. These odors can be very difficult to measure and identify, but Hawk Environmental Services, Inc. has the skill and equipment necessary to assist in these types of investigations Background
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3 Tips to Improve Your Office’s Indoor Air Quality This Spring
Spring is a beautiful time to live in Seattle, but for allergy sufferers, it can be a miserable experience regardless of the weather. Unfortunately, holing up indoors won’t necessarily improve your allergies. Poor indoor air quality at work can actually be worse than polluted outdoor air due
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How to Test for Formaldehyde from Wood Laminate Flooring
With the recent release of information regarding high levels of formaldehyde in Chinese made laminate flooring, many clients have requested that we test the air in their home to see if potentially toxic levels of formaldehyde are present. Below you can find information on our indoor air quality
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Asbestos in Seattle Commercial Buildings – What You Need to Know
Asbestos is a harmful mineral fiber that was commonly used in insulation, certain ceiling treatments, flooring, cement siding, and other building materials. The danger of the material comes from disturbed particles becoming airborne and inhaled into the lung. Inhalation of asbestos has been proven
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A Guide to Office Indoor Air Quality
Why is Indoor Air Quality Important in the Workplace? Indoor air quality is one of the leading concerns to businesses and employees alike because it can have a substantial impact on the health and productivity of workers in an office environment. The majority of working hours is spent indoors and
Read moreAn Office Indoor Air Quality Sample Report
As our buildings become more energy efficient and more densely occupied, it is important to monitor the air quality in offices spaces regularly. Hawk Environmental Services has a cost-effective way to collect data, perform inspections, and generate detailed reports to deal employee complaints,
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How Office Furniture Can Affect Your Air Quality and Health
Chances are that the outdoor air quality near your office isn’t what’s causing respiratory illnesses this time of year – it’s more likely the indoor air quality of that stuffy cubicle den. With less fresh air circulating due to colder weather, your office building probably
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5 Ways Air Quality Affects Your Health
Air quality inside your home or office has a substantial effect on your health. Things like chemical exposure, toxic or irritating gasses, particulates, or biological materials can inversely impact your breathing environment and cause significant issues. Here are 5 ways air quality affects your
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Check your Indoor Air Quality before Winter
We all tend to spend more time indoors during the winter months. It’s as true in Seattle as it is in Buffalo or Phoenix or anywhere else. There’s something appealing about piling on the blankets and sitting in front of a roaring fire. But there’s something we tend to overlook with our
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Seattle Mold Testing: Types of Mold & Important Facts
Mold and fungus growth in your home can cause serious health problems, in addition to affecting your overall indoor air quality. According to the Washington State Department of Health, some molds have mycotoxins, which can have harmful effects on your health. “When people are exposed to high
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Moisture Testing For Concrete Floors
Hawk Environmental Services, Inc performs moisture testing on concrete slabs to determine if the flooring is suitable for the installation of new vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, or carpeting. It is recommended that concrete slabs be tested for their total concrete vapor emissions prior to
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5 Home Systems to Check for Better Indoor Air Quality
The quality of the air in your home affects your family’s health in more ways than you might think. If you find yourself suffering from an illness, or you notice moisture damage or strange smells, you may have home systems that are harming your indoor air quality. Here are five top home systems
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Facts About the Air You’re Breathing
We hold our breath when a bus grinds by and when we pass by a smoker on the street, but there’s a lot more in the air we’re breathing that can harm our health. Burning coal, oil, and fossil fuels; manufacturing chemicals; cleaning products; paints and stains; and even the process of
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Asbestos Can Be Hidden Inside Your Air Ducts
Asbestos is a concern for indoor air quality and respiratory health, and most people know the common places that it can be found (popcorn ceilings, vinyl tiles, pipe insulation). But did you know that asbestos-containing tapes and wraps were often placed directly inside of the heating vents in
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How Air Quality Affects Your Baby’s Health
The Quality of Air Your Baby Breathes Matters The quality of the air inside your home can have a strong effect on your baby’s health. Your child’s well-being and safety is your No. 1 priority throughout their life, and especially so when they are newborn infants. Pollutants and airborne toxins
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It Might NOT Be Mold – Why Full Air Quality Testing Is Smart
When people think of poor air quality, mold is often blamed as the cause. While mold certainly could be making your indoor air quality toxic, it is not the only source. In fact, there are several other factors that could be affecting your home air quality, so you should get a full air quality test
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Recent Fines for Violation of Asbestos Laws in Washington State
We know that compliance with state, local, and federal asbestos laws and regulations can be a daunting task. Hawk Environmental Services is fully qualified to conduct your asbestos surveys in compliance with AHERA guidelines to ensure that you are following all of the applicable rules. When these
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Hydrogen Gas can Create a False Reading on Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms are vital pieces of safety equipment used to protect workers and residents from poisonous carbon monoxide gas. But, did you know that hydrogen gas from charging batteries can set off the alarms as well. The post below is from a real case, and shows how hydrogen
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Top Reasons to Get Your Indoor Air Quality Tested
Did you know… the indoor air quality in your home or office may be affecting your health? Many homes and offices today are equipped with detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide, but they don’t monitor other indoor pollutants. Homeowners know to look out for (and address) black mold for its
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Cluster Flies and VOC’s from Insulation in an Energy Efficient New Home (San Juan Islands)
Our client had recently built his retirement home in the San Juan Islands. The spray foam that was installed was improperly mixed, and caused significant VOC off-gassing concerns. The home had been inundated with flies, and the client hired Hawk Environmental to assess these issues and generate
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Indoor Air Quality Testing for Xylene and VOC’s in Gig Harbor
We provide indoor air quality testing services throughout the Puget Sound area. In the case study below, you can see how we designed some specific VOC testing for residential clients in Gig Harbor. If you feel that you have particular indoor air quality testing needs, feel free to call and
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Soil Testing for Petroleum in Renton, WA
At Hawk Environmental Services, we often get asked to create a testing and sampling plan for unusual situations. In the information below, you can see the way we designed a cost effective petroleum sampling plan for a client that needed to be sure that a bigger problem with spilled oil or
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Cellulose Insulation Dust Causes Indoor Air Quality Issues
We deal with a wide variety of indoor air quality concerns, and often get called in when other contractors have been stumped. Recently, one of our clients had been dealing with a significant buildup of dust and health concerns after a new furnace had been installed. We identified pressure
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Attic Mold in Issaquah Caused by Insufficient Ventilation – A Case Study
One of the most common areas to find mold growth in the greater Seattle area is on the roof sheathing in the attic. Home owners rarely have a need to go into their attics to inspect for mold and moisture, and these issues often arise when the home is listed for sale. The buyer’s home
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Indoor Air Quality Inspection Rules Out Carbon Monoxide (CO)
-Auburn, WA 2014 by Hawk Environmental Services Background information: The client has recently installed a new 80% efficient natural gas furnace in the home owner’s garage, and the home owner has raised concerns that the new furnace may be causing an indoor air quality issue. A general
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Tacoma Asbestos Testing of a Popcorn Ceiling
One of the most frequent types of on-site testing we perform is an asbestos inspection, and we often have home owners call and ask if they can simply drop off asbestos samples at our office to avoid the small fees associated with inspection and reporting. While it is true that taking samples of
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Kirkland Indoor Air Quality Improved by HRV Installation
Reasons for installation: The client had been dealing with a variety of indoor air quality and mold concerns after a comprehensive remodeling of the home. Existing ventilation: The client had a fresh-air intake duct installed on the existing HVAC system during the remodeling, with a target flow of
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Attic Mold Inspections
Attic mold is a common problem in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Addressing any attic mold is the best way to ensure it doesn’t spread or affect the health of your family. What Causes Attic Mold? Attic mold is almost always the result of high humidity in the attic space. This high humidity
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Asbestos Testing Prior to Remodeling
Smart home remodels include asbestos testing prior to remodeling. Keep reading to learn why. Reason for Asbestos Testing The client is planning an extensive remodel of their property and complete demolition of the upper level. When the waste disposal company came out to provide a bid for disposal
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What Can an Infrared Inspection Actually Find?
Infrared Inspections / Thermal Imaging Hawk Environmental Services uses infrared inspections to identify issues in your home or building that aren’t visible with the naked eye. Below is an excerpt from an actual client report. You can clearly see how performing an infrared inspection can
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Inspection Reveals Hidden Roof Leak Detected With Infrared Camera
The clients were complaining of odors and indoor air quality issues in the basement bedroom. An inspection of this area and brief infrared scan revealed a hidden roof leak, a disconnected HVAC supply duct, and insufficient ventilation. Additionally, we found a wall cavity in the basement bedroom
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Mold Inspection of Water Damage Due to Roof Leaks
A roof leak has caused significant mold growth and damage to asbestos popcorn ceiling. Keep reading to see some of the inspection processes we use. The Damage History The clients had the cedar shake roof replaced with composition shingles, but the roofer neglected to install the appropriate
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