On this page
you will find information about mold, lead, and water. Please
review our FAQ and the following pages for more information! Click
on the following links to read more.
As got
mold?, got lead?, got asbestos?
are becoming household questions, home owners or home purchasers
want to know what is the quality of the environment they are living
in or expect to place their loved ones in. Some simple environmental
testing can help! Below you can find helpful answers to frequently
asked questions:
Does
everyone get a full battery of environmental tests?
I have heard of Sick Building Syndrome. What is it?
What is Black Mold?
What should I do if I find mold?
Who should test for lead paint?
What should I do if I find lead paint?
Why should I test for water, lead, and/or bacteria?
Why should I test for asbestos?
Q.
Does everyone get a full battery of environmental tests?
A. The majority of requests we have received
are for families that have specific concerns about the homes they
own or have viewed for purchase.
Noticed water
leakage or smelled moldy air or the property is vacant and suspect
mold may exist.
They or their children are highly allergenic and or asthmatic
and would like to further evaluate their environment with mold
sampling.
The prospective property has a well and they would like a water
test.
The home is pre 1980's and they want to know if the paint or water
piping contains lead, and request lead sampling.
Inspector noted possible asbestos and suggests asbestos sampling.
We can ask a few questions and recommend a sampling strategy that
makes sense.
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Q.
I have heard of Sick Building Syndrome. What is it ?
A. Some microorganisms negatively affect the
body. To date, research has shown two fungi, Penicillium and Stachybotrys,
have been linked to this syndrome. These fungi usually grow and
cause air problems when building materials, such as walls and
carpets, become wet. Combined with a dirty environment, the fungi
grow.
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Q.
What is Black Mold ?
A. Black mold is actually greenish - Black and as is
confused with many other types of mold or fungi. The Fungi Stachybotrys
Chartarum (atra) is nicknamed black mold and has been reported
to be a toxic mold and an environmental risk. Read
more ...
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Q.
What should I do if I find mold ?
A. First have it sampled by a certified mold technician.
Inspect Net, Inc. can help with this process. Then further evaluation
may be needed by a certified remediation contractor. Or for further
information call : EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), Indoor
air quality information (IAQINFO) 1-800-438-4318 http://www.epa.gov
. You may ask for recommendations or visit. Or for further information
call for remediation IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association) Ph:301.231.8388
/ Fax: 301. 231. 8321 http://www.IAQA.org
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Q.
Who should test for lead paint?
A. HUD suggests many homes/apartments built before 1960
have heavily leaded paint and homes/apartments built prior to
1978 may also contain paint with dangerously high levels of lead.
Lead based paint can be on walls, ceilings, woodwork, windows,
furniture (cribs), children’s toys and even floors. As it
peels, paint chips are loosened and can be ingested by children.
Another contamination source from lead is lead dust particles.
More than 200,000 children in the United States contract lead
poisoning every year. Lead poisoning limits a child’s ability
to learn, even after a short term exposure. It is estimated that
a child’s I.Q. drops 3 points for every 10 micrograms per
deciliter of lead in their blood. If the child receives prompt
medical attention, chances for recovery are very good. Lead paint
sampling is recommended.
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Q.
What should I do if I find lead paint.
A. In some cases encapsulation by applying non lead paint
over lead based paint will keep the lead dust to minimum. However,
if you discover the presence of lead–based paint in your
house, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact your local
health department and seek help from a professional who has special
training in lead paint removal or encapsulation.
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Q.
Why should I test for water, lead, and/or bacteria ?
A. Some experts believe the toxins in our drinking water
are the number one health threat causing cancer, heart disease
and lead poisoning. Water lead sampling may be needed. Such chronic
illnesses are brought on by the body's absorption. Water contaminants
not only affect our health, but they can also corrode fixtures,
stain and deteriorate clothing and household surfaces, alter the
taste of food and drinking water, and slowly turn hair orange.
Bacterial contamination causes severe digestive problems, fever,
nausea, diarrhea and sometimes even death. According to the EPA,
total coliform and E. coli bacteria testing is recommended twice
a year. Water Bacteria sampling is recommended.
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Q.
Why should I test for asbestos?
A. Asbestos is a health hazard in many homes, offices
and schools. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer. An estimated
20,000 people will die each year for the next 30 years from asbestos
exposure.
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This site
represents an opinion only. Inspect net, Inc. does not make claims
to be an expert in any part of environmental inspections, sampling,
and or diagnoses and does not suggest that this page should be
the final guide to environmental issues. In every event it is
highly recommended that further evaluation by certified Micro
Biologist or mycologist and or contact EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) for actual official recommendations.
