When you get into a hot tub, the only thing on your mind might be to relax and enjoy the experience. You can smell the chlorine and the temperature is comfortably high so you need not worry about germs, right? Wrong! There’s a bacterium that can live in hot tubs and has been colloquially referred
Have you ever seen a popcorn ceiling in a property built before 1980? It is possible that this material is an asbestos-containing surfacing material. Asbestos-containing surfacing materials are materials that are sprayed or trowelled on surfaces. Examples of this include plaster, spray-on fireproofing, and textured ceilings such as popcorn ceiling. Asbestos provided these materials with
Millions of people suffer from asthma. While there is no cure, those who have it can improve their quality of life by having a better understanding of what triggers asthma attacks. Some of those triggers are related to the indoor environment. This blog post will discuss asthma and indoor air quality.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid and is responsible for many deaths across the world. Since the introduction of fentanyl has been relatively recent, testing regulations and remediation protocols are scarce. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of this substance, testing methods, and remediation practices. Basics of Fentanyl Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that
What’s a renter to do? Imagine that you just rented a new apartment or leased commercial space. Now imagine that after being in the property for a little while that something doesn’t feel quite right. It might be that there is a funny odor. Sometimes you might feel a little off healthwise, but you start
In industrial hygiene, there are few tests more common than for dust and particulate matter. Some dusts, which may also be referred to as aerosols, are specifically regulated, such as silica, asbestos, heavy metals, and combustible dusts. However, for most industries, general dust testing is performed. OSHA deems these “particles not otherwise regulated”, or PNOR
The short answer to this question is no. Mold can come back after remediation. Unfortunately, even if you’ve had a lot of repairs, remediation work, clean up, and testing, you may still need more mold remediation in the future. This blog post will discuss why mold may come back after remediation was completed.
Times are uncertain, the novel coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented, and tensions are high. We understand; that’s why we’re taking precautions to give you one less thing to worry about. Indoor Science has served Chicago and Chicagoland for over 15 years and we’re not stopping now. As essential workers, we will continue performing residential and commercial
One of the more interesting projects that I’ve worked on in recent years involved a church and mold growing on the pew cushions of the sanctuary. The client was concerned not only about the mold, but how the mold managed to get there. Mold needs moisture in order to grow, but there wasn’t a flood
The risk of exposure to asbestos depends on several factors. The condition of the material, type of disturbances, and the material’s friability play a large role in this. However, it could be argued that friability is the greatest factor. Friability refers to whether or not a material can be ground into a powder with hand
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about coronavirus testing in the indoor environment. At that time we did not have laboratory testing for the virus itself, so we had to use other types of testing as surrogate indicators of the biological cleanliness of the surface such as ATP swabs or efficacy testing. Over
We often get calls from clients with concerns about moisture problems that happened in the past. They are concerned that a past leak or other water-related problem in their property caused mold growth that is not readily visible. If you’ve had past water damage, should you get your property inspected for mold?
When it comes to carbon monoxide and the severe sickness and death that can occur, I take it very personally. One winter, many years ago, I borrowed my brother’s carbon monoxide detector to see if anything would happen if I let my furnace continually run. Not only did I discover that I had elevated levels,
Here in the Chicagoland area, we have a pretty expansive expressway system. Illinois has the 25th largest land area in the US, but we have the 3rd longest distance of interstate miles in the country. Does proximity to an expressway have a noticeable impact on the indoor air quality in your home? Let’s first talk
Did you know that some non-friable materials can have high asbestos content? Often when thinking of high asbestos concentration in materials we assume these to be friable materials. While friable materials such as thermal system insulations are typically higher than most non-friable materials, there are some materials that are on par. Transite, asbestos gaskets, and
In previous blog posts, we highlighted the positive ways mold has benefited society. It is not a secret, however, that mold can also have a negative impact on human health, which this blog will discuss. Please keep in mind that we are not healthcare professionals, and any information posted in this blog is based on literature research. Please follow your doctor’s recommendations and advice.
During my years working as an indoor air quality consultant, I have seen a number of wild things. I have performed mold testing in eighteen-wheeler trucks and yachts on Lake Michigan. I have worked on sets for movies and TV shows. I have worked in the homes of the rich and famous, along with properties
Here in Illinois, we have a coronavirus Stay at Home order by the governor in place until at least May 30th. This means that only “essential” business can remain open during this time. Since the start of the order, we have had questions daily about if we are still open for business. The quick answer
There is much we don’t know about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. With much uncertainty, comes much fear. Eventually, Illinois’ Stay-at-Home Executive Order will end and nervous employees will be heading back to their places of employment. The fear will be amplified in those buildings where there was a confirmed case of COVID-19. I
UPDATE: Please see our updated blog post on the available testing options for coronavirus in the environment. Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few months has heard about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As the virus has spread around the world, it seems like the news updates about this disease have
Let’s say you find out that you have elevated radon levels in your home. What’s the next step? You will need to get a licensed mitigation specialist to install a system for your home. That’s great. But how does a mitigation system work? How do you know if it is properly working? Let us examine
Every week we perform indoor air quality assessments for all different types of properties – residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial. By the time we are on-site, the occupant typically has some concerns that they believe are related to indoor air quality. Sometimes the occupant has a general sense of what the issue could be and other times the cause is less apparent. This blog post will cover common IAQ problems that may be occurring in your property and how you can prevent them from happening in the first place.
Methamphetamine use may be perceived as a rural issue for many Chicagoans. However, Indoor Science has recently seen an uptick in calls about methamphetamine testing. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of Methamphetamine, the methodology for testing, and remediation solutions. Basics of Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant also known as meth, ice,
One of the first things clients ask when they book an appointment is, “when will I have the results?” Whether the project is a real estate transaction that is up against a looming inspection period deadline or a post-remediation project with eager homeowners who want to get back to their home, turnaround time is important
Radon testing in a daycare center is important for knowing how safe the indoor environment is for the children. When you drop off your kids, the natural assumption is that the facility is safe. We presume that the workers are properly trained. We assume that all measures are in place to ensure the protection of
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