For good reason, in the last 20 years environmental factors
have become a serious concern to home owners and prospective home buyers.
The cases of asthma in young children have increased 300 times in this period.
Besides asthma many other health problems tied to home environmental factors have
increased in frequency and intensity for children and adults alike.
Home Environmental Factors of Concern to Michigan Homeowners
Information you need to protect yourself and your family
On this page:
- Environmental factors overview, statistics and health effects
- Water quality testing
- Mold and fungi
- Radon gas, a cause of lung cancer
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Termites and other pests
- Lead based paint and lead intoxication
- Asbestos, a cause of lung cancer
Introduction to Environmental Factors, Statistics and Health Effects
Noxious environmental factors most often encountered in houses and
buildings are; air pollutants, water pollutants, radon, mold, lead-based paint, and asbestos.
In the last 20 years the way houses are built has changed very much,
and even more so the construction materials used. On the other hand people spend
more time indoors and keep the houses tighter closed to save energy.
As a result a wide variety of health problems appeared or intensified and some of them
possibly leaving permanent disabilities.
Some environmental factors, such as mold, not only bring serious health problems,
they also cause substantial damage to houses. Mild or severe health and comfort
disturbances may be linked to the time spent at home. Some studies have shown
that residents in as many as 30% of houses are exposed to poor air quality,
poor water quality, presence of radon gas, mold, or other hazards.
The most frequent complaints are tied to air quality, and are symptoms
of respiratory diseases (allergies, rhinitis, sinus congestion, coughing, asthma attacks),
headaches, dizziness, lethargy and fatigue, diminished appetite, vomiting, and irritability.
They can be traced to carbon monoxide, mold spores, dust mites, pests, carbon dioxide,
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and a wide variety of
volatile organic compounds such as paint thinners.
It is important to understand and properly address all environmental factors in the home,
even if one has lived in the house for a long time. Changes are being done in all
houses almost continuously; every year the homeowner does repairs, replacements,
or adds new features. The most prominent modifications in the last 10 years were
intended to seal and insulate the houses tighter for energy preservation.
Any homeowner can pause, look back, and realize that his same house is
actually very different now then it was 20 year ago.
When buying a house it is imperative to consider all environmental factors
before making the final decision. Michigan real estate law requires that
home sellers disclose all potential hazards present in the house at the time of sale.
Since sellers may be well unaware of their home's environmental problems,
a knowledgeable environmental consultant is the buyer's best source of information.
A new law taking effect as of January 1st, 2006 requires the home buyer to use
professional advice and perform all testing necessary to more fully determine
the condition or the house and the environmental health hazards present.
Water Quality Testing
Water purity is the most tested for, of all environmental factors.
Most home owners may not be aware that every city supplying drinking water
performs water quality testing every day. County health departments also perform
periodic water quality testing in areas supplied by private wells,
though, these tests are done only sampling one well per area.
Home buyers may be given access to the results.
Water quality testing can be done for a wide variety of contaminants.
The basic water quality test is done for pH and basic mineral components
plus E-coli (Escherichia coli, a bacteria that shows contamination with fecal matter).
Additional water quality testing, as required by HUD, is done for lead and arsenic contamination.
Water can be tested for any other toxic chemicals that are suspected to be present.
It is best if home owners using private well water, perform water quality testing
at least on yearly bases. Additionally, every time environmental news are issued for
that area suggesting that water quality may be affected.
It is not recommended to skip water purity testing because your neighbor has done it.
You never know what direction a contaminant may come from. The water quality at your pump
may not be identical to the one a hundred yards up the road.
To keep updated on environmental news, frequently inquire with your county health department.
Also information can be found at: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
All these agencies provide continuous updates on environmental news,
and have dedicated web pages to all environmental factors.
Mold and Fungi
Mold and fungi have always been around us, it is just that new construction methods
and materials have provided them a more favorable habitat.
Some types of mold are more common then others, some are labeled as toxic mold,
others are just allergenic. Each individual reacts differently to particular strains of mold
as a function of the immune system.
Weather toxic or not all types of mold cause allergic reactions and can exacerbate
respiratory conditions including asthma. The health problems are caused either by the spores,
or the toxins they produce. Mold spores are carried by currents of air.
Because there is an almost continuous movement of air in houses,
they get spread throughout the house and are inhaled by residents.
Toxic mold species produce poisonous substances that are called mycotoxines.
If inhaled or ingested these toxins could cause dramatic poisoning effects or even cancer.
Among the most frequently encountered types of toxic mold are; Aspergillum, Penicillium,
and Stachybotrys commonly known as the toxic black mold.
Obviously, the presence of such mold is a major concern and should be addressed immediately.
For in-depth information about mold you may visit
Mold Inspections Company website.
Radon Gas, a Cause of Lung Cancer
Radon gas has a tendency to cumulate in houses, especially basements.
It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, killing approximately 21,000 people per year
in the United States. Although concentrations of radon gas vary by geographical area,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends radon gas testing for all houses.
Scientific testing for radon gas is available with home inspections
done as part of real estate transactions. For more information about radon visit our radon gas page.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning could be fatal. This gas is the most subtle killer found in residential houses.
It can cause death within 15 minutes; children and pets are the first victims.
In small concentrations carbon monoxide causes mild to severe headaches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
If chronically present can cause permanent neurological damage.
To protect yourself and your family, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
To understand basic facts about carbon monoxide and its sources
visit our carbon monoxide poisoning page.
Termites and Other Pests
Termites or other pests can be dangerous to houses, and their presence is not always apparent.
Termites literally eat away the house. Because they feed on wood fiber and travel only inside
the wood members of a house, we do not see them. Carpenter ants only make holes through wood
for the purpose of nesting. Wood-powder beetles chew wood, especially attacking support poles
in crawl spaces, which are out of sight. Rodents and a wide variety of other pests cause
major damage to houses as well. They may also carry disease.
For more information on pests consult a qualified pest inspector, or
use the library, internet, or government resources.
Lead Based Paint and Lead Intoxication
Lead is a soft, heavy metal that is very toxic. It's chemical name is plumbum.
Over the years, it has been used for a wide variety of purposes - as a component of paint,
water pipes used to be made of lead, protection against radiation in radiology, among others.
While lead-based products have been helpful, they also presented major health hazards.
Lead water pipes - Initially, the water supply pipes in houses were made of lead.
This is were the name plumber comes from. The pipes were flexible,
easy to work with, and less expensive then copper. It is impossible to know
how many people suffered from lead poisoning in the years when its use for water pipes was common.
Lead water pipes are no longer used, but occasionally, home inspectors find a lead
main supply line in older houses. Lead water pipes were largely replaced
with galvanized steel pipes as those are now being replaced with copper.
Lead-based paint - Added to paint, lead provides greater durability and a brighter color.
While it was mostly used in exterior paint, it can be found in interior paint as well.
It is not known how many homes contain lead based paint. EPA studies indicate that
lead based paint was used widely before 1940 and decreasingly after that until 1978,
when it was officially banned in the United States.
Lead poisoning from lead based paint, generally results from inhalation of airborne
dust particles (by adults, children, and pets) and direct ingestion
(licking or chewing by small children). If a house contains lead based paint,
the hazardous paint has been covered by other layers. As long as the top layers
of paint remain in good condition, the risk of exposure is negligible.
Cracked walls, scaling paint, sanding, and some other conditions increase
the exposure to lead-based paint and should be causes for concern.
This is why testing for lead based paint is strongly recommended in older homes.
Asbestos, a Cause of Lung Cancer
Asbestos, a proven cause of lung cancer, is a fibrous silicate mineral that
is very resistant and has excellent thermal insulation properties.
Asbestos fiber is mined, and it was widely used in manufacturing a variety of
construction materials. Today, asbestos use is restricted because
of its known link to lung cancer.
If products containing asbestos do not crumble and are not exposed in the house,
the risk is considered negligible in respect to health effects.
The situation changes when the products break down or are sanded,
or when adults and children come in direct contact with them.
Questionable products such as pipe insulation, vermiculite insulation, and old fibrous tiles
can be tested in the laboratory for asbestos content. It is always best to use
professionally trained personnel for examination and removal of asbestos products.
