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
As consumers, one major factor to consider when deciding which product or service to use is convenience. Often times, bundled services seem appealing because they eliminate the hassle of finding multiple companies. In the environmental field, that means the hassle of hiring a consultant to identify a problem and a contractor to fix the problem. Can’t I just hire one company that does both? It may seem as if you are saving money by having one company perform multiple functions because they may offer a free estimate and free inspection. While bundling services may seem like a no-brainer, one major problem is a conflict of interest. This blog post will highlight several reasons why it is important to hire an independent consultant to perform testing and a separate contractor to do remediation.
In recent weeks, headlines have been dominated with news of wildfires, specifically in Australia. Wildfires can create a range of air quality contaminants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon monoxide, etc. In this blog, we will discuss these air quality contaminants generated by wildfires and some of the
Does indoor air quality increase productivity in the workplace and reduce absenteeism in schools? Employers and administrators are constantly looking to improve productivity and test scores. We often get calls from office managers about IAQ issues, but there is often pushback from upper management because there is uncertainty regarding the financial benefit of improved indoor
It’s wintertime! I don’t know about you, but in my family, a big part of the season usually involves gathering around the old fireplace and enjoying a crackling fire. That’s why today I want to talk about potential hazards of fireplaces and indoor air quality. Wood or Gas Fireplaces? First off, we need to emphasize
Mold is an essential part of the natural world. It plays a crucial role in the decomposition process of organic materials. Mold spores can be found floating around in the air both outdoors and indoors. For most property owners, mold growth becomes a concern when it is visibly growing on a surface inside of their home. However, there seems to be a lot of confusion about where mold can grow. This blog post will talk about the different areas and materials where mold is commonly found indoors.
During a typical home inspection, the inspector will evaluate the structure of the home, along with the conditions of walls, plumbing, HVAC systems, and
“I see mold in my house and I am worried all my belongings are contaminated. Do I need to throw everything out?” We receive questions like this a lot; this blog intends to help determine what situations call for what kind of actions. When people have mold and moisture issues they typically turn to the
The holiday season is upon us, which means we spend more time indoors to stay out of the cold and to spend more time with family and loved ones. This also means more shared meals and enjoying Grandma’s cooking. The delicious odors that come from cooking are pleasant and enjoyed by all. However, this blog post will discuss the impacts that cooking has on indoor air quality and some recommendations to minimize its negative effects.
On many projects that I have worked on throughout the years, I have been asked to evaluate a building for “Sick Building Syndrome”. Now, what is this syndrome? Is the building somehow sick? Not exactly. According to the EPA, sick building syndrome (or SBS) describes “situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort
I’m sure you are familiar with asbestos, but did you know that there are different types of asbestos? In previous blogs, we discussed the basics of both chrysotile and crocidolite. Chrysotile is a serpentine based mineral which was the most common asbestos used. Crocidolite is a blue amphibole mineral more rarely used than chrysotile. These
You may have just finished up a major renovation project in your home or office and have been left with a huge amount of construction dust as an unwanted byproduct. Maybe you have seen news stories on the dangers of silica dust and worried “is it in my home?”. In this blog, I will go
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