Health and Safety Issues

RADON

Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. We offer radon testing as an add-on service. Learn how you can protect your family:

http://www.epa.gov/radon/

http://www.neha-nrpp.org/

CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the
United States. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poison gas that can be
fatal when inhaled, and it is known as "the silent killer" because it cannot be
seen, smelled, or tasted.

CO is produced by furnaces, common household appliances,
unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, automobile exhaust, generators,
fireplaces, and other systems that are powered by the burning of fuel that
includes, but is not limited to, natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, and wood.

We include this important testing as part of the normal home inspection.

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/466.html

http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/

MOLD

Mold and mold spores occur naturally and are present both indoors and outdoors. Excess moisture can cause mold to grow indoors. The Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau provides general information about the health effects of mold and how to clean up mold:

http://nmhealth.org/eheb/mold.shtml

ASBESTOS

Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity) and asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue. Learn more here: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html

LEAD

The most common sources of lead poisoning are:
Deteriorating lead-based paint
Lead contaminated dust
Lead contaminated residential soil

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/index.html