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TESTING
RADON DANGERS
Basements, Granite Countertops & Granite Floors
Some of the Numbers are Alarming!
Of
all homes tested, the combined average of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County and Putnam County was that
almost 10% of the homes tested had cancer causing radon levels.
If you are buying a home... just think about it... you must have looked at twenty different homes... according to recent statistics, odds are that at least
two of them had cancer causing radon levels
GET YOUR HOME TESTED!
Schedule a
Radon Inspection Today!
Why Is Radon Testing So Very Important?
Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, cancer-causing natural radioactive noble gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock from the decay of radium, but can leak into our homes through openings in the foundation floor or walls, and is probably the most pervasive serious hazard for indoor air in the United States and Europe; probably responsible for tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths per annum. Radon is a member of the zero-valence elements that are called noble or inert gases, and is also fairly soluble in water and organic solvents.
Radon is a significant gas contaminant that affects the indoor air quality of many structures worldwide. Radon is well known for being the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a national environmental health concern that may be found in rock formations beneath buildings or even in certain building materials like granite. Naturally harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful at elevated levels, radon is by far the greatest single source of radiation exposure to the general public.
Radon
is a decay product of uranium, which is relatively common in the earth's crust, but generally concentrated in ore-bearing rocks scattered around the world, and in water. Minor amounts of radon can enter a home through water from private wells and be released through showers, washing machines and faucets, also being a very heavy gas means it will tend to accumulate at the floor level. This means that testing in the lowest level of the home that you currently live in, or a lower level that is not currently used, but which a perspective buyer may use for living space without renovations. Radon is found at elevated levels in one in 15 homes across the United States, and its radioactive isotopes can be cancer-causing if the concentration and exposure is too high. Used to predict earthquakes, in the study of atmospheric transport, and in the exploration for petroleum and uranium, also used in the treatment of various diseases including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and ulcers, radon is actually manufactured for therapeutic use by a few hospitals, by pumping it from a radium source and sealing it into minute tubes, known as seeds or needles, for application to patient.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a standard measurement used for radioactivity. If the house tests above 20 pCi/L most experts agree it is prudent to install a system that can permanently reduce your family’s exposure to radon. If the house tests below 4 pCi/L most experts agree that there is a relatively low probability of significant health risk at this low level of exposure. If the house tests between 4 and 20 pCi/L there is no need for immediate panic, but you will have to make some difficult decisions. Test your home every two years, and retest any time you move, make structural changes to your home, or occupy a previously unused level of a house. Testing is relatively inexpensive, easy and is the only way to know whether you are at risk for exposure. It is recommended to close all windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test when possible. You should test in the lowest level of the home which is suitable for occupancy. Do not conduct short-term tests during severe storms or periods of high winds. Follow the test instructions and accurately record the start time and date, if using the DIY test, placing the test device at least 20 inches above the flooring in a location where it will not be disturbed by individuals and air drafts, high heat and or elevated high humidity is recommended for accurate results. Leave the test kit in place for as long as the inspector says, and once you have finished the test, record the stop time and date, reseal the package and return it immediately in the provided prepaid mailer to our lab for analysis.
A buyer may also ask for a new test if your state or local government requires
disclosure of radon information to buyers. There are several ways to
prevent or detect test interference: Use a test device that frequently records
radon or decay product levels to detect unusual swings; employ a motion detector
to determine whether the test device has been moved or testing conditions have
changed; use a proximity detector to reveal the presence of people in the room
which may correlate to possible changes in radon levels during the test; record
the barometric pressure to identify weather conditions which may have affected
the test; record the temperature record to help assess whether doors and windows
have been opened; apply tamper-proof seals to windows to ensure closed house
conditions; and have the seller/occupant sign a non-interference agreement.
There is always potential for test interference in real estate transactions.
Make sure you and your family are safe with radon testing from Olympian Home
Services.
CARBON MONOXIDE DANGERS
Carbon monoxide is often a byproduct of the incomplete combustion of natural gas, wood, or any known carbon based fuel. It is a clear, odorless, and tasteless gas, and can cause death if gone undetected. Long term exposure to low levels (sometimes not detected by inexpensive carbon monoxide detectors) can cause long-term health effects. Carbon monoxide detectors with a minimum sensitivity of 30 ppm and with no time delay must be installed at locations where natural gas appliances and or fireplaces are used. Olympian Home & Building Inspectors also recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms on each floor of multi-story structures and within 10 feet of entrances to all bedrooms.
What is Carbon Monoxide and How is it Produced?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas that kills. It is produced when a carbon-based fuel like gasoline, propane, charcoal, or oil is burned. Sources on a boat may include things like engines, generators, cooking range, and water heaters.
Why is it so Dangerous and What Can One Do About it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) enters your bloodstream through your lungs, blocking the oxygen your body requires. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations and rapid exposure to high concentrations can certainly kill you.
The early symptoms of actual CO poisoning can include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. They are often confused with being sea sick and intoxication, so those affected may be misdiagnosed.
Altitude, various health related conditions, and age will increase the effects of CO. Persons who smoke cigarettes or are exposed to high levels of second hand cigarette smoke, drink alcohol, or have a lung disorder and or heart problems are particularly vulnerable to an adverse increase in the effects from CO exposure. Regardless, anyone can be affected. Another fact to know is that physical exertion accelerates the rate at which blood can absorb CO.
Emergency Treatment for CO Poisoning
CO poisoning is a life threatening emergency that requires immediate action. The following is a quick list of things that should be done if CO poisoning is known or suspected. The victim may be in an area of high CO concentration, which means you or others could in danger from exposure to CO. -
Evaluate the situation and ventilate the area if possible. -
Evacuate the area and move affected person(s) to a fresh air environment. -
Observe the victim(s). -
Administer oxygen, if available. -
Contact local emergency service (usually 911). If the victim is not breathing, perform rescue breathing or approved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as appropriate, until medical help arrives. Prompt action can mean the difference between life and death. -
Shut off any and all potential sources of CO, where possible. Correct any ventilation problems and/or repair any exhaust problems as needed, to code. Investigate the source of CO and take corrective action, such as evacuating and ventilating the area or shutting off the source of the CO, while at the same time evacuating and ventilating the area.
SMOKE ALARMS
Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of the house, in the hallway outside the bedrooms, and inside every bedroom (or sleeping area).
Install additional smoke alarms in or near the kitchens*, in family rooms (especially those with a working fire place or heat source), and near any workshops.
*Smoke alarms that are installed in kitchens should always have a silence feature.
CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARMS
Install at least one CO alarm outside of all bedrooms (or sleeping areas) where it will awaken all residents in case it alarms at night.
For added protection and peace of mind, install a CO alarm on each and every level of the home, and one in the general vicinity of the furnace and any other fuel-burning heat source.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Install a fire extinguisher on each and every level of your home, including the garage and the basement.
Install a kitchen fire extinguisher within easy reach (but not directly above) of your stove and cook top range.
Install additional fire extinguishers in workshops, home offices, and near any fireplaces.
HEAT ALARMS
Heat alarms can also be installed in areas not generally suitable for smoke alarms, like garages and attics.
Always check with all of the applicable national and local building codes prior to installing any of the recommended home safety products.
ASBESTOS DANGERS
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber that was used for many years in a number of products. It has since been proven to be cancer causing if inhaled or ingested and is considered hazardous and environmentally dangerous.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
One of the primary products manufactured with asbestos was insulation for boilers and heating pipes. This use is considered to be the most dangerous one since insulation deteriorates with age and becomes airborne from vibration, draft or nearby construction. The airborne fibers are so lightweight that they take days to settle and easily are made airborne again for days. Inhalation or ingestion of these invisible fibers causes asbestosis and several other types of cancers in the lungs and other parts of the body. All asbestos insulation, even if it is in good condition now,
asbestos will be removed
before it becomes a health and environmental hazard as well as an insurance liability.
The photos at the top of this section show one of several different types of asbestos pipe insulation that is still present (and more friable than ever) in countless commercial and residential properties across the country. Of course, a large percentage of those structures are in New York! Most of the asbestos pipe insulation that is found is in buildings that are 30 years old or older, and the insulation is already friable.
Olympian Removes Asbestos!
The process is a very delicate one and can only be conducted by certified and licensed inspectors as well as certified supervisors. Whether you are selling or refinancing a home, or are concerned about the health of your family or tenants, rely on Olympian expertise for safe asbestos removal.
LEAD DANGERS
What is Lead Based Paint?
Lead based paint is found in nearly every home built before 1978. Lead exposure poses a serious threat to most organs in the body as well as the central nervous system. It causes severe learning disabilities and permanent organ damage. Lead poisoning affects the kidneys, the immune system, and the mail reproductive tract. It causes premature birth, anemia, reduced growth rate in children, weakness, fatigue and miscarriage.
Until recently, anyone can call himself a lead inspector. Within the last few years, the New York State Environmental Protection Agency has come forward with a very strict set of rules and standards that must be followed by all those people involved in the field of lead based paint activities.
Olympian Handles Lead Based Paint Removal!
Our New York State EPA certified lead based paint inspectors and licensed lead abatement teams are available to help you make your residence or building safe. From basic inspection to full scale abatement / encapsulation, Olympian is your solution.
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