Hidden Environmental Hazards In Your Home

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Your home may be filled with potentially hazardous substances that can cause long-term health issues. They may be lurking behind walls, or embedded in the structure of your home. These substances include:

Lead

Lead can be found in many parts of older homes. Your house could have multiple layers of leaded paint, and your drinking water could be passing through lead pipes or copper that is joined together with lead solder. Lead poisoning can cause serious neurological and psychological problems, particularly in children. Because the concentration of lead in the bloodstream occurs over time, symptoms don't often appear until irreversible damage occurs.

Lead in plumbing can be removed by a plumbing company that is certified to perform lead abatement. Eliminating lead paint may involve removing several layers of flaking paint while refraining from contaminating the home with lead dust. An environmental remediation company that specializes in lead paint removal should be consulted on the extent  of labor and cost involved in this arduous task.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous material used for its resistance to heat, fire, and electrical conductivity. It can be found in homes built before the 1970s in such places as pipe and furnace insulation, floor tiles, and roofing materials. Asbestos fibers, once released into the air, can cause scarring of the lungs and mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the chest and abdominal cavities.

Asbestos is often better left alone if it is structurally sound. Disturbing asbestos may release dangerous fibers. However, if asbestos is present, a qualified asbestos abatement service should determine the course of action. Asbestos components can be sealed or covered to prevent the release of fibers, or in extreme cases, must be completely removed. This should absolutely be done by professionals, to avoid contaminating the whole house.

Mold

Mold is not often found indoors, because it thrives in consistently damp places. However, mold may be hidden inside leaking ceilings, under sinks, in damp basements, or inside poorly sealed ductwork. While mold may not be harmful to everyone, it can be hazardous to those suffering from allergies, asthma, or other breathing related issues

Removing mold from your home requires the services of a company that specializes in mold remediation. Mold must be removed in a way that doesn't release mold spores throughout the home. The affected area must then be chemically treated to inhibit the recurrence of mold growth.

You should always consult with an environmental remediation specialist like A. G. Wassenaar, Inc. if you believe your home may be contaminated by hazardous substances.

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8 January 2015

tax advice for the small business owner

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