RADON ~ LEAD ~ ASBESTOS

FIRE AND SMOKE ASSESSMENTS

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see radon. And you can’t smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building—homes, offices, and schools—and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your great- est exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.

You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools. Testing is inexpensive and easy—it should only take a few minutes of your time.

You can fix a radon problem. Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

Lead was commonly found in paint products prior to it being banned in 1978. In homes built prior to then, any painted surface should be tested for lead before being scraped of sanded. If left undisturbed, it does not present a threat to the indoor air. For a detailed discussion of lead in paints, dust and soils, water and air and waste disposal, please follow the link to the EPA Lead Regulations page https//www.epa.gov/lead

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance asbestos has been used in a wide variety of building materials and manufactured goods for decades. Since asbestos fibers can be released into the air by the disturbance of ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) strict regulations have been in effect since the late 1970’s. Any demolition and remodeling involving the removal of drywall and/or insulation requires that the materials be tested for asbestos before proceeding with the project. Any materials determined to contain asbestos must be professionally abated. For more information on asbestos and its related health effects, please visit the EPAs Learn About Asbestos page https.www.gov/asbestos

Fire and Smoke Assessment commonly goes hand in hand with both structure fires and wild fires. In many cases, a building may survive a fire but still sustain significant smoke damage. Soot, char and ash can settle on and in the building, contaminate attic spaces and the insulation within, stain walls and ceilings, damage contents items and contaminate the indoor air with particles and harsh odors. Many times this damage is routinely covered under homeowner’s insurance, both on the front end for preparing a remediation protocol as well as for clearance criteria once on the all is done.