General Information

Does this home fit my needs and those of my family? Is this a safe, secure home, free from potential hazards? Is this home a good investment and will it retain and increase its value in the years ahead.

In ever increasing numbers, home buyers today find it necessary to add new kinds of questions to their quest for information. Environmental concerns are becoming an element of the home-buying thought process.

The following provides general information about some of the environmental hazards that have the potential to affect the home environment. While this information is believed to be accurate, it is not meant to be comprehensive or authoritative . This publication provides introductory information to help home buyers understand the possible risk of exposure to potentially harmful environmental hazards in and around the home.

Radon Gas
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that has been found in homes all over the U.S. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rocks and ground water. Radon from surrounding soil enters a home through small spaces and openings, such as cracks in concrete, floor drains, sump pump openings, wall/floor joints in basements, and the pores in hollow block walls. It also can seep into ground water and remain entrapped there. (For more information regarding radon in ground water call the EPA's Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791).

Radon generally concentrates in the areas of the home closest to the ground. Radon levels typically decrease as one moves higher up in the structure. Testing is the only way to know whether or not a home has a radon problem. Do not rely on radon results taken in other homes in your neighborhood to estimate the levels in your home. Homes which are next to each other can have different radon levels. While radon problems may be more common in some areas in your local community or state, any home can have a problem.

The health risk associated with prolonged inhalation of radon decay products is an increased risk of developing lung cancer. When radon gas breaks down it releases radioactive particles that circulate in the air. As you breathe these particles, they can become trapped in your lungs. As the particles continue to break down, they release bursts of energy (radiation) which can damage lung tissue. This damage can cause lung cancer. The EPA has determined that short-term exposure to a high concentration of radon is not as severe a risk as long-term exposure to a lower level of the gas.

There are many effective and relatively inexpensive methods of reducing radon levels in a home. The method used will vary from house to house and from region to region. The techniques used will depend on the source of the gas, the ways in which it enters the home, and the type of construction used in the home. Normally, the cost of installing radon reduction equipment ranges from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Radon source diagnosis and mitigation normally require skills and equipment not available to the average homeowner. Therefore, it is always prudent to consider the use of trained personnel.

RKC Radon Inspections

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Illinois Radon

Molds and Mildews
Molds and mildews are present in most homes. These organisms have been present since the dawn of time and will continue to work side by side with mankind to help breakdown other organisms. Molds and mildews are part of the fungi kingdom. The main role of this kingdom is to act like the garbage truck and clean everything up. One the challenges with molds is that they are highly allergenic to some people. Everyone has a level of mold that can be tolerated but one persons reaction to a specific mold is different then another's.

For mold to grow it needs a warm, dark, and wet environment. This is most basements or attics. It can also be in the walls or insulation. The use of what can be call "former wood products" (cellulose insulation, engineered lumber, some plywoods) help mold grow faster.

To test for mold does not presently require any specialized training or protocol and it does have a governmental or industry guideline for interpretation of results. This makes mold testing a challenged part of the home purchase. Since each person's reaction to mold is different it is recommended an industrial hygienist or physician review any results and base them on know personal data.

Since homes are being built more energy efficient with less air to air exchange and the use of engineered lumber and building products are present in most homes some monitoring or testing for mold is recommended. Asbestos
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in rocks and soil throughout the world. Asbestos has been used in architectural and construction applications because it is strong, durable, fire retardant and an efficient insulator. Alone or in combination with other materials, asbestos can be fashioned into a variety of products that have numerous applications within the building industry such as flooring, walls, ceiling tiles, exterior housing shingles, insulation or fire retardant for heating and electrical systems, etc. According to the EPA, homes constructed in the United States during the past twenty years probably do not contain asbestos products.

Asbestos has been identified as a carcinogen. Once ingested, asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs. Because the material is durable, it persists in tissue and concentrates as repeated exposures occur over time. It can cause cancer of the lungs and stomach among workers and others who have experienced prolonged work-related exposure to it. The health effects of lower exposures in the home are less certain. However, experts are unable to provide assurance that any level of exposure to asbestos fibers is completely safe.

The repair or removal of asbestos-containing products from a home is generally a complicated process. It depends on the amount of these products present, the percentage of asbestos they contain, and the manner in which asbestos is incorporated into the product. Total removal of even small amounts of asbestos-containing material is usually the last alternative. To assure safety and elimination of health hazards, asbestos repair or removal should be performed only by properly trained contractors.  

Lead Based Paint
According to the EPA, it is estimated that lead-based paint was applied to approximately two-thirds of the homes built in the U.S. before 1940; one-third of the homes built from 1940 to 1960; and to an indeterminate (but smaller) portion of U.S. homes built since 1960.

Lead can enter the air within a home when surfaces covered with lead-based paint are scraped, sanded or heated with an open flame in paint stripping procedures. Once released into the home atmosphere, lead particles circulate into the air and can be inhaled or ingested through the mouth and nose. Lead particles freed in fine dust or vapors settle into carpet fibers or fabric and can be recirculated into the air by normal household cleaning (such as sweeping or dusting) and through normal hand-to-mouth behavior of young children, which can result in the ingestion of potentially harmful lead.

It is best to leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition and there is little possibility that it will be eaten by children. Other procedures include covering the paint with wallpaper or some other building material, or completely replacing the painted surface.

The only way to determine if paint in a home contains lead is to test for it. Testing should always be done by a certified lead inspector or risk assessor.

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