From discoloring surfaces to leaving behind a lingering odor, smoke from a fire impairs your living environment in many ways. But while the senses can easily detect these issues, people living with smoke damage may not recognize how this problem could hurt their health. If your home has experienced any level of fire or smoke damage, below are several health risks you can reduce with professional restoration services.

How Smoke Damage Affects Your Overall Health

1. Cancer

When materials burn, the smoke they release may contain toxic chemicals that contribute to cancer. For example, inhaling smoke that contains asbestos particles is linked to mesothelioma—a type of cancer that causes tissue tumors within the lungs, heart, and stomach.

2. Irritation

When soot contacts your skin or eyes, it will cause severe irritation—such as itchiness and redness. Without certified restoration services, you’ll constantly face these aggravating particles, as they attach to carpet fibers, upholstery, and other surfaces.

3. Asthma

Inhaling smoke can make anyone have trouble breathing. But if you have asthma—a chronic disease that inflames the airways—untreated smoke damage can cause lasting problems. Specifically, individuals may experience worsening symptoms due to lung irritation from inhaled soot particles. Over time, this particulate matter may also cause permanent damage to the lungs, aggravating asthma.  

4. Emphysema

Living in a smoke-contaminated home can increase your risk of emphysema. Typically linked as a side effect of smoking cigarettes, this degenerative disease damages the air sacs within the lungs. Over time, the lungs lose their elasticity and cannot absorb oxygen, resulting in chronic breathing problems.

5. Pregnancy Complications

Soot particles are dangerous to any person once they enter the body. However, they are particularly risky for pregnant women. If the exposure is severe enough, it may cause a variety of pregnancy complications—such as premature labor and low birth weight.

When you want to safeguard your health from the effects of smoke exposure, turn to the IICRC-certified professionals at SERVPRO® of Lincoln and Warren Counties. Representing an established national brand, this fire damage restoration service has a prompt response and thorough decontamination methods. In addition to mitigating the effects of soot and smoke, this team can help with mold removal, biohazard cleanup, and water damage repair services. To learn more about how these specialists can restore your home after an emergency, visit their website. If you need 24-hour support in the Troy, MO, area, call (636) 456-3422 to receive a response in an hour or less.