The other three environmental, "sick house" concerns are: RADON, LEAD and ASBESTOS.  At present, we defer our requests for Radon testing to other competent associates.  With Lead, there are DIY kits available at local hardware and home center stores.  We can also perform Lead testing at a nominal cost.  Asbestos testing must always be performed by a qualified laboratory.  If you live in Naperville, Oswego, Montgomery, Aurora, Plainfield, Yorkville, Sugar Grove or others, Environmental Inspection Dynamics can help you with the following types of samples or tests:

 

Radon | Some facts you should know:

 

• Radon breaks down from: uranium to radium to radon, then to lead, bismuth & polonium.

• The EPA set protocol limit for radon concentration in a home is at or below 4.0 pCi/L.

• Radon exists in all homes and outside, but the only way to determine levels is by testing

• The most common entry for radon is through foundation cracks. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US.

• It’s the alpha particles emitted from radon’s short half life (3.8 days) that’s the problem.

• Radon can enter a house via the water source , especially in well water.

• Radon will enter a house by air pressure differentials and by diffusion driven transport.

 

As you can see from the facts, radon and its effects should not be taken lightly.  Testing and sub slab mitigation should be left to the professionals.  Just because a neighbor’s house has low measurements does not mean yours will.  Differences can vary in as little as 30 feet!

 

For more public information from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)-Division of Nuclear Safety, please click [ here ].

 

Lead | Some facts you should know:

 

• The largest commercial use of lead is in batteries.

• Other uses of lead today are in ammunition, different chemicals, lead sinkers for fishing.

• The problem from lead is surface dust and soil contamination from lead-based paints.

• Lead is more of a health concern for children.

• Problems range from gastrointestinal to cognitive disorders.

• A Dartmouth College study found that violent prisoners have significantly higher levels of lead than non-violent prisoners.

 

You can obtain DYI Kits from local hardware and home center stores. 

 

Asbestos | Some facts you should know:

 

• Where is it , or better, where was it found? It was widely used in structural fireproofing, heating systems, acoustic insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, shingles, brake linings, fireplace gloves, ironing board covers and hair dryers.

• It will be either "friable or non-friable." Friable means it is easily crumbled with hand pressure, such as spray applied fireproofing, piping and boiler wrap. Non-friable would be vinyl asbestos floor tile.

• The problem is when friable or disintegrating asbestos fibers become airborne and are deposited in the deepest area of the lungs. Some of the fibers may move through the lungs and remain in the body for years. Most of the inhaled fibers are coughed up in mucus, swallowed and excreted in the feces. Some may penetrate the linings of the stomach and intestines, and then get trapped in other tissues and the blood. Very few, if any, will pass through the skin on contact.

• Most asbestos fibers do not break down over time or by chemical action. The most common asbestos is "chrysolite," which may have some mineral loss in acid soils and can be removed from or degraded in the lung with time.

• The health effects of breathing low levels of airborne asbestos can increase the chances of lung cancer and also a rare cancer know as "mesothelioma". Asbestos inhaled at the age of 15 has the same risk potential as at 40.

• Heavy occupational exposure to asbestos and time are the fundamental causes of lung cancer from asbestos. Add smoking in combination with chronic exposure to asbestos and it becomes synergistic by fivefold. Other effects of chronic exposure to asbestos are gastrointestinal malignances.

• Some of the names of asbestos are Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidotile, Tremolite and Vermiculite.

• There are still items and products used today that contain some form of asbestos. Asbestos products are still being imported and sold in this country. A majority are imported from Canada and Mexico, and are not properly labeled. During the 20th Century, 30 million tons were developed and used.

 

If you own or purchased a home built prior to 1970, there is a good chance some of the materials used then had asbestos in them. Therefore, it is very important before you choose any modifications or renovations to your home, to have an assessment, evaluation and testing done by a qualified-certified environmental testing laboratory. The EPA established NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) and may also require testing if you think you have asbestos. At Environmental Inspection Dynamics, we are qualified in residential assessing and utilize qualified laboratories, such as EM Labs P&K for bulk testing via EPA Method 600/R-93-116 asbestos analysis.

 

For more information on asbestos, visit: www.epa.gov/asbestos