There are several scenarios where you may want to conduct environmental testing following a fire. The first scenario is where there is a dispute between the insurance company and the property owner regarding the extent of damage or the scope of work. By hiring an independent consultant, an objective analysis can provide a factual underpinning to the project design. The second scenario is to verify that fire-damage restoration was successful and that the property is safe for re-occupancy. A th...| Indoor Science
Our hearts go out to those who have lost their lives and property in the wildfires raging in southern California and beyond. Even people whose homes weren’t directly damaged by fire may face health risks from air pollution both outdoors and indoors. In this article we cover some of the risks of wildfire smoke and provide some recommendations for minimizing exposures. The Risks of Wildfire Smoke Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of particles and gases with the exact constituents being heav...| Indoor Science
In recent years, the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our environment has become a growing concern due to their potentially adverse effects on human health and the environment. As a result, regulatory bodies and scientific communities have been actively working to establish stricter regulations and improved testing methods to mitigate the growing issue. In this blog, we will explore the latest updates on PFAS regulations and testing to highlight the steps being taken ...| Indoor Science
What is Radon? Radon, a colorless and odorless gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. It is a part of the radioactive decay chain of uranium. This gas seeps into homes and businesses through the ground and accumulates in enclosed spaces, posing a significant health risk to occupants. It is impossible to know if a home or business has elevated levels of radon unless it is tested. As awareness about the dangers of radon grows, so does the need for effective detection m...| Indoor Science
According to the CDC, more than 75,000 people are hospitalized in the U.S. every year with fungal infections. At least 7,000 people died in 2021, up from just 450 in 1969. Aspergillus, a common mold found indoors, is the culprit in roughly one fifth of mold related hospitalizations and fatality rates among severe cases can exceed 50%. Discovered in 2009, Candida auris a fungus which often spreads in healthcare settings and has a mortality rate as high as 60%. Reported Candidia auris cases in ...| Indoor Science
Discovering a moisture or fungal-based issue in a property can be a distressing event. Oftentimes the repairs are costly and some property owners will defer the repair or avoid detailed inspection that might uncover greater scope of damage than is visible to the naked eye. Under scoping or delaying remediation can lead to a variety of risks including adverse health effects, structural impacts, and litigation. It is imperative to mitigate the problem before it evolves into a severe situation. ...| Indoor Science
Structural fires can be devastating to a property owner. Outside of the loss of possessions is the added burden of environmental hazards from fire byproducts such as soot, dioxins, or char. An environmental obstacle that is often overlooked is damaged asbestos-containing materials in the property. In today’s blog we will discuss asbestos-containing materials and how they can be impacted by fire. Basics of Asbestos Asbestos refers to a group of six regulated minerals. These minerals are refe...| Indoor Science
Why are Septic Systems Important? Septic systems is to take wastewater from your home and purify it so it can safely reenter the ground water system without chemicals or treatments. How do Septic Systems Work? Septic systems start with a main sewer line coming out from your home. All waste water originating from inside of the home runs down the main sewer line and enters into the septic tank. When in the septic tank, the waste water separates into various sections. The top layer is the scum l...| Indoor Science
When we think of asbestos we often think of building materials – floor tile, pipe insulation, black flooring mastic/glue, and popcorn ceilings. When it comes to abatement, teams remove or repair the broken materials along with isolating or encapsulating the area to prevent disturbance. But, what happens when an entire town becomes contaminated with asbestos? This blog will discuss the asbestos contamination of Libby, Montana resulting from vermiculite mining and efforts taken to protect the...| Indoor Science
Cancer rates 190x the EPA’s acceptable level and an area referred to as the ‘toxic donut’ – two overlooked communities with severe ongoing environmental pollution Major environmental disasters such as the water quality of Flint, Michigan or the wildfires in California have stood out given their media coverage in the last decade but many more are overlooked. This blog we will discuss two communities that face severe environmental issues – Port Arthur, Texas and the Altgeld Gardens co...| Indoor Science
