Keep Hazardous Materials From Making a Home in Your House

By DiANNE CROWN CORRESPONDENT

Our great-grandmothers had the right idea when they plowed into their spring cleaning. However, air quality professionals now report that deep cleaning once a year is far from enough, especially when it comes to the invisible pollutants found in many homes.

Determining the source and degree of the problem is the first challenge. Once identified, the issue may be a simple nuisance – or a health hazard.

According to Sampa Das Ostrem, certified industrial hygienist and owner of D.A.S. Consulting Services in Springfield, there are numerous potential sources of pollution in the home, each with its own protocol for remediation. A handful are detailed here.

ASBESTOS AND LEAD-BASED PAINT

These products generally are innocuous when intact and undisturbed. But when they deteriorate or are disturbed, they can be inhaled or ingested, becoming serious health hazards.

Asbestos fibers routinely are found in pipe and attic insulation, plaster, certain floor tiles and adhesives as well as other common household locations, and can be released from bumping, crumbling or grinding. Asbestos exposure has been linked to lung cancer and other health problems.

Lead-based paint, often found around windows and doors in older homes, is easily ground into dust or broken into chips. Exposure can damage the central nervous system, kidneys and blood cells, and is particularly hazardous to the brain and blood development of children, Ostrem says.

It is recommended that a licensed professional help with identification as well as proper maintenance or removal of both asbestos and lead-based paint.

ORGANIC CHEMICALS

Often there is an odor to these pollutants, such as the smell associated with new carpet, paint or cleaning agents. These can cause respiratory problems, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and other health issues.

When installing new products, refinishing surfaces, working with hobbies that involve chemicals and using all household cleaners, make sure there is proper ventilation, Ostrem says. Likewise, avoid winter renovation projects when homes are closed tight and exposure to dust, off-gassing formaldehyde and many more chemicals can be high.

Store products out of the way, tightly sealed and in an area with good ventilation. Don’t buy in bulk. Closely read the ingredients of every chemical that comes into the home, even daily cleansers and fresheners. Some ingredients are harsher on mucous membranes than others, and some people are more sensitive to certain chemicals.

Finally, Ostrem says, be sure to follow the manufacturers’ directions for use.

RADON

The carcinogen radon is a radioactive gas released from the breakdown of uranium in rock and soil.

"Radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers," says Tania Maschhoff, business manager of Radon Services Inc. in Glenarm. "It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer among smokers. We breathe it in low concentrations every day, but when a house acts like a vacuum, pulls (radon) in and holds it, it accumulates to more toxic levels."

The only way to measure this colorless, tasteless, odorless gas is with a test, she says.

Do-it-yourself kits are reliable when handled and processed according to instructions, Maschhoff says. Area firms also can conduct a test for you.

To reduce radon levels, Radon Services Inc. installs a subslab depressurization system, which is a pipe that runs vertically through the house and out the roof. A fan on the end pulls radon up and exhausts it outdoors. In addition, all openings in the foundation are sealed. The ballpark fee is $800 to $1,200, Maschhoff says.

Attorney and homeowner Lara Quivey recently had this system installed in her Springfield home. "I kept reading about radon and thought I should check it out," she says. Her home test kit from Lowe’s recorded 24 picocuries per liter (PCI/L). According to Maschhoff, four PCI/L is the EPA-recommended action level.

After the subslab system was installed, an independent retest showed the radon level in the acceptable range. Quivey is pleased. "It’s a peace of mind thing."

MOLD

Mold will come back if the source of moisture isn’t located, Ostrem says, so establish positive drainage away from the structure to avoid water pooling at the foundation.

Other methods of prevention: Correct roof leaks and unclog gutters. Seal all areas above- and below-grade, where water can seep in. Exhaust basement, kitchen and bathroom moisture outdoors, not just into the attic. Make sure humidifiers and dehumidifiers are clean and mold-free.

Businesses such as Peerless Cleaning and Restoration, based in Decatur, can help with the cleanup. "There is mold everywhere, about 100,000 types," says company vice president Todd Garner, "but they’re not all harmful."

If possible, Garner will talk a homeowner through the problem by phone. "A little mold around a shower leak really isn’t a problem," he says. "Everyone has that."

In the case where the mold is limited to a small area on a hard, non-porous surface, homeowners may want to do the cleanup. Be sure to use the correct chemical and concentration for the job. Don’t mix chemicals, don’t use something you’re allergic to and take care not to spread the mold spores.

If a house call is necessary, Peerless will inspect the home for moisture problems and recommend appropriate measures to correct the problem. For more sophisticated projects, Garner uses a thermal imaging camera to detect moisture. Garner also may set up a negative- pressure containment and monitor mold levels indoors and outdoors, and before, during and after remediation to ensure thorough cleaning.

"Cleanup is not one-size-fits-all," Garner says.

Bottom line, Ostrem says, is that homeowners need to know what is causing a particular problem and how to remedy it.