1. ASBESTOS
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is found throughout
the world. It is predominantly mined in Canada, South Africa, Brazil,
China, Australia, the State of California, and until recently the
State of Vermont.
Asbestos has been used in thousands of products and is still put
into products today (though limitedly in the United States). Asbestos
was once known as the "Wonder Fiber" due to its fire/heat
resistance, chemical resistance, high tensile strength, and durability
among many other properties.
Where is asbestos found?
One EPA study estimated that 3,000 different types of commercial
products contained asbestos. The amount of asbestos in each product
varied from as little as less than 1 percent to as much as 100
percent. Many older plastics, paper products, brake linings, floor
tiles and textile products contain asbestos, as do many heavy
industrial products such as sealants, cement pipe, cement sheets,
gaskets, and insulation. On July 12, 1989, the EPA issued a final
rule banning most asbestos-containing products. In 1991, this
regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
in New Orleans. As a result of the Court's decision, the following
specific asbestos-containing products remain banned: flooring
felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper.
In addition, the regulation continues to ban the use of asbestos
in products that have not historically contained asbestos, otherwise
referred to as "new uses" of asbestos. It is important
to note that there are a significant amount of products being
imported into the United States that have asbestos in them.
According to the US EPA, asbestos is also found in:
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Roofing:
· Roofing felts
· Roof felt shingles
· Roofing shingles
· Roofing Tiles
· Siding shingles
· Clapboards
Floors:
· Vinyl-asbestos tile
· Asphalt-asbestos tile
· Resilient sheet flooring
· Mastics/glues
Miscellaneous:
· Attic insulation
· Underground transite water piping
· Automobile brake pads
· Elevator brake shoes
· Industrial water filters
· Theater curtains
· Electrical wiring
· Construction adhesives
· Fire doors
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Pipes and Boilers:
· Cementitious pipe and fittings
· Block insulation
· Preformed pipe wrap
· Corrugated asbestos paper
· Paper tape
· Caulk/putty
· Duct insulation
Walls & Ceilings:
· Sprayed coating
· Troweled coating
· Asbestos-cement sheet
· Spackle
· Gypsum board
· Joint compounds
· Textured paints
· Millboard, rollboard
· Vinyl wallpaper
· Insulation board
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What are the health effects of asbestos exposure?
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, a cancer-causing agent. The following
are three primary diseases associated with exposure to asbestos,
though other diseases and adverse health effects have been diagnosed:
The most common asbestos-related illness is pleural disease, also
known as Asbestosis, which is a scarring of the lung caused by
asbestos fibers that have burrowed into lung tissue and block
the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and is nearly always fatal.
This cancer attacks the lining of the chest or abdominal wall.
This disease is primarily associated with asbestos exposure. Once
a patient is diagnosed with this disease, life expectancy is generally
6 months to a year.
Lung cancer can also result from asbestos exposure. Studies have
shown that there is at least a 50 times greater increase in the
instance of lung cancer in smokers who also work with asbestos.
This is known as a synergistic effect (being exposed to two cancer-causing
agents).
I am concerned about asbestos exposure. How can AIM Group and
Green Mountain Environmental Services help?
CONTACT AIM Group's certified Asbestos Inspectors to determine
if asbestos is present and the magnitude of the problem.
If a hazard is identified, don't panic! The presence of asbestos
is not always indicative of a problem. Green Mountain Environmental
Services specializes in asbestos abatement, which means treating
asbestos using any of five procedures: removal, encapsulation,
enclosure, repair and/or Operations & Maintenance.
Asbestos was recently found in my building or home. What are
my options?
Contact AIM Group's certified Asbestos Inspectors to determine
if asbestos is present and the magnitude of the problem.
If a hazard is identified, don't panic! The presence of asbestos
is not always indicative of a problem. Green Mountain Environmental
Services specializes in asbestos abatement, which means treating
asbestos using any of five procedures: asbestos removal, encapsulation,
enclosure, repair and operations & maintenance.
Removal is the taking out or the stripping of substantially all
ACBM (asbestos-containing building materials) from a damaged area,
a functional space, or a homogeneous area in a school building.
The term encapsulation means the treatment of ACBM with a material
that surrounds or embeds asbestos fibers to prevent the release
of fibers. Typical encapsulant materials include:
Enclosure means an airtight, impermeable, permanent barrier around
ACBM to prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air. A
typical enclosure can consist of
To repair damaged ACBM is to return it to an undamaged condition
or intact state so as to prevent fiber release.
Operations and Maintenance (O & M) means a program of work
practices to maintain friable ACBM in good condition, ensure clean
up of asbestos fibers previously released, and prevent further
release by minimizing and controlling friable ACBM disturbance
or damage.
I just purchased the house. Can I take legal action against
the sellers if asbestos, mold, lead or radon is found?
We are in the environmental consulting business and therefore
cannot dispense legal advice. Our company will certainly collect
samples and report unbiased findings that you may find helpful
for use in litigation or negotiation.
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2. MOLD
What is mold?
Molds, a subset of the Kingdom Fungi, are ubiquitous on our planet.
Fungi are found in every ecological niche, and are necessary for
the recycling of organic building blocks that allow plants and
animals to live. Included in the group "fungi" are yeasts,
molds and mildews, as well as large mushrooms, puffballs and bracket
fungi that grow on dead trees. Fungi need organic food sources
(nutrient source), oxygen and water (moisture source) to be able
to grow.
Where is mold found?
Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually
any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present.
There are molds that grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation.
When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building
materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture
problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. Indoor spaces that
are wet and have organic materials that mold can use as a food
source can and do support mold growth.
It is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the
indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors
by controlling moisture indoors. Since mold requires water to
grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings.
Changes in building construction practices have resulted in buildings
that are tightly sealed but may lack adequate ventilation, potentially
leading to moisture buildup.
What are the health effects of mold?
Human health issues from mold generally fall into four categories:
- Allergy or asthma attacks - the most common response to mold
- Infection - an uncommon occurrence except in certain susceptible
populations such as those with immune compromise from disease
or drug treatment
- Irritation (mucous membrane and sensory) - from volatile organic
compounds (VOC) produced through fungal metabolism and released
into indoor air
- Toxicity - rare toxic and carcinogenic effects from mycotoxins,
which are toxic metabolites produced by fungi
I am concerned about mold exposure. How can AIM Group and Green
Mountain Environmental Services help?
Potential health concerns are an important reason to prevent mold
growth and to mitigate (clean up) any existing indoor mold growth.
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates
that approximately half of U.S. homes have a mold problem. If
a serious mold contamination problem exists, mold removal can
cost tens of thousands of dollars, or more than the value of the
house, to thoroughly mitigate the problem.
Contact AIM Group to properly test your home or building with an
Initial Mold and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment. Our Certified
Indoor Air Quality Technicians and Indoor Air Quality Investigators
will help determine if your dream home is potentially contaminated.
If a mold problem exists, Green Mountain Environmental Services
can correct it through cleaning and abatement.
My building or home has developed mold due to a flood or pipe
leak. What are my options?
Contact AIM Group to properly test your home or building with
an Initial Mold and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment. Our Certified
Indoor Air Quality Technicians and Indoor Air Quality Investigators
will help determine if your dream home is potentially contaminated.
If a mold problem exists, Green Mountain Environmental Services
can correct it through cleaning and abatement.
AIM Group's Laboratory Division can analyze the samples for precise
and timely results.
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3. LEAD
What is lead?
Elemental lead is a heavy, soft malleable bluish metal naturally
occurring in nature in the form of ores. Once lead is mined and
processed, it is available forever; no known technology can or
will render the material harmless. Lead is a poison and contaminant
for the human body that does not serve a purpose. There are three
major sources of lead exposure today: 1.) Lead-Based Paint "LBP";
2.) Urban soils and dust (from paint, gasoline and industrial
deposits; and 3.) Drinking water. Individuals can become exposed
to lead through a single high-level dose (acute) or through repeated
low-level dosage (chronic) either via occupational sources or
environmental sources. High levels of exposure can result in a
wide variety of health problems including slow mental awareness,
convulsions, coma and even death.
Where is lead found?
Lead is a concern on the interior and exterior of any building
where people reside, for example, residential properties, apartments,
schools, nursing homes or commercial buildings.
In most homes built prior to 1978, one can presume that the paint
and/or stain applied to the interior and exterior surfaces contained
lead. Although a hazard to human health, the lead contained within
Lead-Based Paint (LBP) is not a hazard unless the paint is defective,
i.e. cracking, peeling, chalking, etc. A simple LBP inspection
will only tell you if a) lead exists in the paint, b) where it
exists and c) the condition the LBP is in. A Lead-Based Paint
Risk Assessment will catalog the hazards associated with the LBP
and hazards associated from other sources of lead. A Lead-Based
Paint Hazard is a condition in which exposure to lead from lead-contaminated
dust, lead-contaminated soils, deteriorated lead-based paint,
airborne lead-contaminated dust and/or lead-based paint present
on accessible, friction, or impact surfaces would result in adverse
human health effects.
What are the health effects of lead?
Lead poisoning is frightening, yet completely preventable. Lead
exposure is not discriminatory and can affect the rich, poor,
young and old. It instantly attacks the nervous, circulatory and
reproductive systems. The kidneys and gastrointestinal tract may
also be affected. Adults suffering from lead poisoning experience
symptoms such as fatigue, weakness in the extremities, loss of
appetite, stomach disorders, headaches, insomnia, irritability,
hypertension and/or anemia.
Children can be poisoned by eating lead paint chips or lead dust
can be picked up on hands or toys and transferred to their mouths.
Children exposed to lead are even more seriously affected. Learning
disabilities, attention deficit disorders, lowered IQ, and anti-social
behavior may result because the brain has not yet completely developed.
Lead exposure over a sustained period can damage the central nervous
system of children and adversely impact their development.
I am concerned about lead exposure. How can AIM Group help?
AIM Group employs certified technicians who perform a myriad of
services dealing with lead, such as inspections, risk assessments,
maintenance activities and awareness training. Of particular to
interest to general contractors are our negative exposure assessments.
CONTACT us.
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4. RADON
What is radon and where is it found?
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in this country. Radon gas is generated
from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils, rock and water.
The gas dissipates into the atmosphere and can contaminate poorly
ventilated buildings. Radon can be found all over the United States.
It can get into any type of building - homes, offices and schools.
People are likely to get their greatest exposure at home, since
this is where they spend most of their time.
What are the health effects of radon?
Your chances of getting lung cancer depend on how much radon is
in a home or office, how much time you spend there and whether
you are a smoker or have ever smoked. There is no evidence that
children are at greater risk than adults from radon.
I am concerned that radon may be present in my home. How can
AIM Group and Green Mountain Environmental Services help?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General
recommend that all homes be tested below the third floor for the
presence of radon, a service that AIM Group provides.
Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the US is estimated to have elevated levels
of radon. The average radon level in homes is approximately 1.5
picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your average annual level is
higher than 4 pCi/L, action should definitely be taken.
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5. I am buying or selling a home, or I am a realtor involved with
buying or selling a home.
What specifically should I ask a home inspector to look for with
regard to mold, lead, asbestos?
A home inspection typically does not include environmental testing
and assessment. Is your home inspector a licensed Asbestos Inspector,
a Lead Risk Assessor and trained in mold assessments?
To guarantee proper testing for and assessment of the presence
of mold, lead or asbestos, contact AIM Group. Our Certified Indoor
Air Quality Technicians, Air Quality Investigators and Asbestos
Inspectors will quantitatively verify a home inspector's findings
or suspicions using laboratory analysis.
What can I do if a home inspector finds mold, asbestos, lead
or radon?
Generally the homeowner has two options: 1.) Repair the damage
prior to sale or 2.) Negotiate a new sale price or settlement
based on the estimated cost to remediate or mitigate the problem.
Green Mountain Environmental Services, Inc. performs remediation
and mitigation services. contact us to arrange a site visit and
quote on repair work.
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6. I am renting or am thinking of renting an apartment or home
and I'm worried about asbestos, mold, lead and radon. What can
I do?
The first thing to do is discuss your concerns with the potential
landlord or property owner. AIM Environmental Consulting cannot
inspect the property without the prior consent of the owner.
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7. How much does it cost for someone to perform an initial asbestos,
lead, radon or mold consult?
It is quite difficult for us to accurately price a consult based
solely on an e-mail or phone call. The cost is dependent on several
factors, such as geographical location of the property, level
of analysis required and number of samples required for testing
to name just a few. Please contact us to discuss your specific
concerns and our possible solutions.
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