Environmental Issues
Building & Environmental Inspection - Article Guidelines
Before buying a house, it is always better to get a building inspection & repair estimate, just to make sure it is worth the investment. In addition, it is best to hire home inspection services that include building & environmental inspection, in order to eliminate any potential health hazards in the property. Employ a licensed and certified home inspector who is efficient and competent, and can provide all important environmental inspections, including radon testing, lead and water testing, along with the standard home inspection process.
Opt for a general home inspection contingency which would allow you 10 days, upon signing the sales agreement,to employ an inspector to check the house for any mechanical, structural and environmental problems and provide a home inspection report afterwards. Also, make sure the contingency gives you the option to withdraw from the agreement to buy the house if the results of the home and environmental inspection showed the property is worth less than what you initially agreed to pay.
The home inspector will give you diagnosis & repair advice for any issues he may find, and a contingency should give you an option to ask the home seller to do some necessary repairs. The most important environmental inspections will focus primarily on radon testing, lead dust, drinking water and mold testing and mildew issues.
Environmental and Health Concerns - Eliminate Safety Hazards
The following environmental home issues are beyond the scope of a standard home inspection. Search for home inspection services qualified to conduct Professional Radon Testing and Wood Destroying Insect Infestation Inspections, which can be requested for an additional fee. During environmental home inspections, a licensed home inspector should check for:
- Radon Gas
Radon gas is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas, that has been found in homes all across the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and gets into the air you breathe, thus raising important environmental and health issues. Elevated levels of radon gas are the second-leading cause of lung cancer, but with properly installed mitigation systems radon levels can be reduced to safe levels. Professional radon testing is conducted using the NYS ELAP certified RTCA E-Smart continuous radon monitors and RTCA activated charcoal passive diffusion absorption canisters. Radon testing must be conducted in accordance with the EPA radon testing protocols established for Real Estate transactions, and in compliance with NYS Health Departmentregulations.
EPA Recommendations
Whether you are buying or selling your home, a building & environmental inspection is very important, and should include radon testing. For a new home, ask if radon-resistant construction features were used, and ask if the home has ever been tested for radon gas. Radon levels of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher are dangerous, and even levels below 4 pCi/L still pose a risk. In many cases, these may be reduced. When conducting a radon testing, make sure to take steps to prevent device interference.
Other Environmental and Health Risks - Air Quality Improvement Guide
- Asbestos
According to the U.S. EPA, asbestos is the name given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with high tensile strength, the ability to be woven and resistance to heat and most minerals. Asbestos fibers have been used in a number of manufacturing goods due to these properties, including the manufacturing of asphalt roof shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts.
Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk, because breathing the air you may also breathe in asbestos fibers. Continuous exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung, and fibers embedded in lung tissue may cause severe lung diseases in time, including asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. Asbestos cannot be positively identified visually, it can only be verified by laboratory analysis. Testing and remediation including sampling, removal or encapsulation of suspected asbestos containing materials should be conducted by licensed contractors, and for an additional fee asbestos testing may be offered along with standard home inspection services.
- Lead
Lead is a heavy metal, and was used in many materials and products before it was discovered that it poses a serious health risk to young children. Certain products such as paints used in older homes before 1978, lead solder used in plumbing and leader gasoline were used extensively before their harmful health effects were recognized. Current laws prevent lead from being used in many products, however there can still be health and safety hazards in and around many homes, so environmental home inspections are essential.
Lead can get into the air, water, food, soil, and even dust, so make sure to get a safe water testing included in the environmental inspection. Material safety data sheets should contain warnings about the safety hazards lead poses, especially to young children under six years old. A young child’s exposure to lead can cause learning and behavioral problems and possibly damage their brains, kidneys and other organs. Just as with asbestos, testing and remediation, including sampling, removal, encapsulation or stabilization of suspected lead containing materials should be conducted by licensed contractors.