When buying a home or investment property, it’s important for buyers to obtain information about any potential environmental hazards. Your Realtor can be of assistance in recommending a home inspector or other professional who can detect the existence, type, and/or severity of environmental hazards. The information that follows provides an introduction to several environmental health hazards to help buyers and homeowners understand the possible risk of exposure to potentially harmful environmental hazards in and around the home.
RADON:
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that occurs worldwide in the environment as a byproduct of the natural decay of uranium present in the earth.
Why/How is it harmful? Radon gas breaks down into radioactive particles that remain in the air. As you breathe these particles, they can become trapped in your lungs. As the particles continue to break down, they release radiation that can damage lung tissue. This damage can cause lung cancer.
How to remediate it? The method used to mitigate the radon will vary from house to house and from region to region. The type of radon mitigation system used will depend on the source of the gas, the ways in which it enters the home, and the kind of construction used in the home. We recommend utilizing a radon mitigation company for best results.
ASBESTOS:
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in rocks and soil throughout the world. Asbestos has been used in architecture and construction applications because it is strong, durable, fire retardant, and an efficient insulator. Alone or in combination with other materials, asbestos can be fashioned into a variety of products that have numerous applications within the building industry- such as flooring, walls, ceiling tiles, exterior housing shingles, insulation, etc.
Why/How is it harmful? Asbestos has been identified as a carcinogen. When materials containing asbestos crumble, flake, or deteriorate, asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be inhaled through the nose and mouth. Asbestos fibers can also cling to clothing, tools, and exposed flesh, often circulating into the air during cleanup. Once ingested, asbestos fibers lodge into the lungs. Because the material is durable, it persists in tissue and concentrates as repeated exposures occur over time. It can cause cancer of the lungs and stomach among workers and others who have experienced prolonged work related exposure to it. The health effects of lower exposures in the home are less certain, however, experts are unable to provide assurance that any level of exposure to asbestos fibers is completely safe.
How to remediate it? Generally, if the asbestos material is in good condition and in an area where it’s unlikely to be disturbed, leave it in place. If the asbestos material is likely to be banged, rubbed, handled, or taken apart- especially during remodeling- you should reduce your exposure as much as possible and hire an asbestos abatement company. The repair or removal of asbestos containing products from a home is generally a complicated process. The amount of asbestos material present, the manner in which asbestos is incorporated into the material, and the percentage of asbestos vs other materials the product contains should be taken into consideration before deciding on a course of action. Asbestos repair or removal should only be performed by contractors or companies properly trained in environmental hazards.
LEAD BASED PAINT:
Lead is a metallic element found worldwide in rocks and soils. Lead used to be a common ingredient in paint due to its ability to accelerate drying, increase durability, and resist moisture.
Why/How is it harmful? Lead can enter the air within a home when surfaces covered with lead-based paint are scraped, sanded, or heated with an open flame in paint-stripping procedures. Once released into the atmosphere, lead particles circulate in the air and be inhaled or ingested through the mouth and nose. Lead particles freed in fine dust or vapors settle into carpet fibers and fabric and can be recirculated in the air by normal household cleaning and through normal hand-to-mouth behavior of young children. When ingested, lead accumulates in the blood, bones, and soft tissue of the body. High concentrations of lead in the body can cause death or permanent damage to the central nervous system, the brain, the kidneys, and red blood cells. Even low levels of lead may increase high blood pressure in adults. Infants, children, and pregnant women are more vulnerable to lead exposure than others, because the lead is more easily absorbed into growing bodies, and their tissues are more sensitive to the damaging effects of the lead. Because of a child’s smaller body weight, an equal concentration of lead is more damaging to a child than it would be to an adult.
How to remediate it? It’s best to leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it’s in good condition and there is little possibility that it will be eaten by children. Other procedures include covering the paint with wallpaper or some other building material, or completely replacing the painted surface. Professional lead-based paint removal is costly, time consuming, and requires everyone not involved in the procedure to leave the premises during removal and subsequent clean up. Certain municipalities offer grants for lead-based paint removal.
FORMALDEHYDE:
maldehyde Formaldehyde is a colorless, gaseous chemical compound that is generally present at low, variable concentrations in both indoor and outdoor air. It is emitted by many construction materials, and is an ingredient in foam that was used for home insulating until the early 1980’s.
Why/How is it harmful? Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals, but
there is no definitive evidence linking the chemical to cancer in humans. Higher than normal levels of formaldehyde in the home atmosphere can trigger asthma attacks in individuals with asthma. Other health hazards attributed to formaldehyde include skin rashes, watery eyes, breathing difficulties, and burning sensations in the eyes, throat, and nasal passages. Some individuals acquire a reduced tolerance to formaldehyde following their initial exposure. In these instances, subsequent exposures to even small amounts will cause reactions.
How to remediate it? Reducing formaldehyde levels in the home can be a simple or complex
task depending on the source of the gas. Increasing ventilation throughout the home may help. If the source of formaldehyde comes from construction materials such as walls, subflooring, or foam insulation, you may need to remove the formaldehyde-bearing material, which will be costly, time consuming, and temporarily disruptive.
MOLD:
Mold is a fungus that can grow when there is sufficient moisture on a wide variety of organic substances such as wood, paper, leather, and even adhesives used in construction. The prevalence of mold in a particular house could be the result of its construction, especially if it’s airtight, and allows moisture to accumulate.
Why/How is it harmful? Mold can produce allergens, irritants, and in some
cases, potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins. Exposure to mycotoxins can cause more serious illness. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mold exposure can also irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of people who are not allergic to mold.
How to remediate it? Remediating mold involves cleaning up existing mold, and
preventing new mold growth by finding and addressing the cause of the moisture. Mold growth may be more than just surface level. Mold may be present under floorboards, in HV/AC ducts, etc. Always consult a mold remediation company for a full evaluation to determine the extent of the mold before attempting to remediate it.
SOURCES:
https://thismatter.com/money/real-estate/environmental-hazards.html
https://krautlaw.com/cons/hel.html
DISCLAIMER:
The Aimee Neiman Team does not make any warranty, guarantee, or representation (express or implied) with respect to the usefulness or effectiveness of any information, method, or process disclosed in this material or assumes any liability for the use of (or for damages arising from the use of) any information, method, or process disclosed disclosed in this material.
