Indoor Air Quality

 Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. M & D Home Inspection can help find the root causes of mold and mildew in homes. Mold and mildew require moisture to live and grow. Typically moisture in sheetrock and other building materials may be identified using thermal imaging.     M & D Home Inspection has International Associtation of  Certified Indoor Air Consultants (IAC2) a Inspector to inspect and test your home for mold.

Radon Testing

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is emitted from the decay of uranium in the soil, rock and water. Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Radon is essentially harmless at levels found in the atmosphere in most locations, but can become a health hazard if it is trapped and concentrated in homes and other buildings. The only known health hazard of radon is an increased risk of developing 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 gas typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in 11 % of the homes in North Central Oklahoma.

ASBESTOS AIR TESTING

Asbestos is a common fibrous rock found worldwide which has been used in various products for over 4500 years. It has been used in over 3000 different products such as textiles, paper, ropes, wicks, stoves, filters, floor tiles, roofing shingles, clutch facings, water pipe, cements, fillers, felt, fireproof clothing, gaskets, battery boxes, clapboard, wallboard, fire doors, fire curtains, insulation, brake linings, etc.

Asbestos may be found almost everywhere. Almost everyone is exposed to asbestos, in some form and to some degree, every day. Asbestos containing construction materials were used throughout the nation. Asbestos is common, but the presence of asbestos may not be a problem provided that it is not disturbed and fibers are not released into the air. Adverse health effects associated with asbestos exposure have been extensively studied for many years. These studies and epidemiological investigations have demonstrated that breathing asbestos dust (fibers) and/or ingesting asbestos is a health hazard. Primary diseases associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibers are asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

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