How do molds get into my home?
Molds are disseminated as microscopic spores. They
are so small that they are easily blown through the air.
Outside air contains 500-1,000 mold spores for every
cubic meter of air.

Should I be concerned?
Our bodies are naturally equipped to handle normal
levels of molds. Chronic exposure to mold overgrowth in
the home and work place, however, can lead to allergies,
sensitization, and more serious respiratory ailments.
Individuals with compromised immune systems are
especially at risk. Additionally, conditions favorable to the
growth of molds are also favorable for more serious
infestations, such as wood decay fungi.

What should I look for?
Molds can be many different colors, but most are green
to black. Look for dark discolorations on walls, floors and
ceilings, especially in areas subject to plumbing or roof
leaks. We are all familiar with the musty, moldy odor of
these microorganisms. If you smell this in your home,
there may be an infection present that you cannot see.
The photograph below is an example of a serious mold
infestation.

Mold and fungus can be a major problem for
seasonal homes that were built air tight

Can this be treated?
Yes. A 10% chlorine or hypochloride solution will
eradicate most minor infections of mold. A subsequent
treatment of mildicide and controlled moisture will
eliminate the reocurrence of mold.

What are Wood Decay Fungi?

Where does asbestos come from?
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is mined from the
earth in much the same way as coal. Asbestos may be
present in pipe and boiler insulation, floor and ceiling
tile, paper and textile products, plastics, sealants,
cements, and brake linings.

How can asbestos hurt my lungs?
Asbestos fibers are very small and invisible to the
human eye. These fibers can enter the air you breathe
when asbestos is disturbed by vibrating, cutting,
sanding, or removing. Medical evidence suggests that
exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can increase your
risk of developing certain types of cancers and noncancerous
respiratory diseases. Your lungs are the most
vulnerable to asbestos fibers. These fibers, when
inhaled, can become trapped in the air sacs and lead to
lung cancer, asbestosis, which is a fibrosis of the
lungs, and cancer of the lung lining, Mesothelioma.

How is asbestos detected?
Testing is the only sure way of knowing if a suspect
material contains any asbestos. Follow the simple
directions of the test kit and you can be assured of fast,
accurate results. A teaspoon sized sample is all that’s
needed. This sample is then analyzed for identification
of asbestos-containing material (more than 1%
asbestos fibers) in our laboratory using state-of-the-art
instruments by our certified lab personnel. A confidential
written report detailing the presence of asbestos in your
sample is then promptly sent by return mail.

How can radon hurt my lungs?
Radon itself naturally breaks down into decay products
that adhere to dust and other particles in the air, as well
as the lining of the lungs. As we breathe, these particles
become trapped in the lungs, releasing small bursts of
energy that damage lung tissue and begin the uncontrolled
reproduction of cells known as cancer.

How does radon enter a home?
Radon gas can seep into a home through dirt floors,
cracks in concrete floors and walls, floor drains, sump
pits, joints, and the pore of concrete-block basement
walls. Radon can also enter a home via the water of
private wells. As radon readily dissolves in water, a
drinking source is easily contaminated in uranium-rich
bedrock and soils.

How is radon detected?
Since you cannot see or smell radon, special equipment
is needed to detect it. The method of collecting
radon is by absorption in carbon (charcoal) within a
one-inch-deep canister. This charcoal canister is the
detection device by which radon concentrations are
measured. The charcoal canister is opened in the
lowest livable area of the home, exposed for three days,
closed, and then returned to the laboratory by mail for
processing. A confidential written report detailing the
radon gas concentration within the home is then
promptly sent by return mail.

What is safe?
In certain specific situations, the US EPA and the Center
for Disease Control have used a continuous exposure
level of 4 pCi/l or 0.02 WL as a guidance level at which
remedial actions is indicated.
The radon progenies, bismuth (Bi), polonium 210 (Po),
and lead 214 (Pb), have short half lives, which produce
additional alpha particles that can damage lung tissue.
It is these decay products, that account for most of the
radiation received by human beings in most situations
and are the primary sources of radon health effects
such as lung cancer.
It is the exposure of the lungs to highly charged alpha
particles that causes the adverse health risks associated
with exposure to radon and radon decay products.
Since an alpha particle has low penetrating power, the
particle’s own movement through the air and the outer
layer of the skin provides protection to the remainder of
the body from the radiation. Radon gas that has been
ingested, such as with water, moves through the body
at a rapid rate, thus having very little impact on our other
internal organs.

Why charcoal test canisters?
It is important for prospective homeowners to get a
charcoal canister radon test conducted in their prospective
home. While continuous radon monitors can show
radon levels in a home, they are calibrated annually
whereas the instruments used to analyze charcoal
canisters are calibrated daily to accommodate the
fluctuation in background radiation.

What is an alpha radon monitor?
An alpha radon monitor provides long-term testing
greater than 90 days with special film sensitive to alpha
particles produced by radon.

There are a number of problems that can affect drinking water:

What questions should I ask?

At present, the US EPA allowable level of lead in
drinking water is 50 parts per billion. Within the next year
they are planning to lower the allowable concentration of
lead to as low as 5 parts per billion. If your water tests
higher than the recommended limits, remedial action
may be necessary. It should be noted that carbon filters,
sand filters, and cartridge filters do not remove lead from
drinking water.

How can lead be detected in water?
Since you cannot see, smell, or taste lead in water,
testing is the only sure way of knowing if your water
contains lead. Both a “first draw” and a “fully flushed”
sample are needed. These samples are then analyzed
in our laboratory using state-of-the-art instruments by
our certified lab personnel. A confidential written report
detailing the lead concentration in water is then promptly
sent by return mail.

What other chemicals may be in my drinking water?
Although your drinking water may contain many other
metals, they may not all be harmful to you (depending on
amounts and EPA guidelines). Some water tests
available are

What are coliforms?
Coliforms are all aerobic (needing air) and anaerobic
(not needing air), gram negative, nonspore forming, rodshaped
bacteria that ferment lactose (a sugar) to acid
with gas within 48 hours at 35 degrees centigrade.

What is e-coli?
E-coli are fecal coliforms. In the majority of water
supplies that fail a bacterial test, it is rare to find the
presence of e-coli.
E-coli contamination of water usually is the result of a
direct contamination of the water supplie. This contamination
could be coming from livestock, a septic tank or
septic system, or an improperly sealed well.

How do coliforms get in our water supply?
As a water system ages, bacteria begins to grow on the
surfaces of the pipes or well. These are common bacteria
in the water. Occasionally, the bacteria will detach from
the surface and enter the water. Other ways coliforms
can get in the water are through surface water infiltration
and earthquake. Replacing a pump in a well can disturb
normally attached coliforms so that the water will contain
higher counts.

What should I do if I have e-coli in my water?
Having e-coli in your water means you have a true
contamination problem. The source of the contamination
must be found and its source removed. Then the
water can be treated.

What should I do if I have coliforms in my water?
If you have coliforms in your water, such as enterobacter
cloacae, citrobacter freundii, klebsiella oxytoca, and
serratia, and no e-coli, most likely the bacteria is
naturally occurring in the water. Nevertheless, if you
have a well, you will need to see if there are environmental
causes for contamination. If you are on a public
water supply system, you will need to have someone
check out your water pipes and you should also contact
your public works department.
 

Who is responsible for the underground storage tank cleanup if it leaks?
If the tank is leaking the property owner will be ordered
by the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) to clean up all contamination of
water and soil. The DEC generally does not regulate
residential oil tanks because the bulk storage in most
homes is less than 1100 gallons.

Why does the DEC get involved?
If there are two tanks and the combined storage
capacity is 1100 gallons or greater, the tanks will need
to be registered with the DEC. If a tank has leaked, the
NYS DEC is the regulatory agency that monitors the
proper clean up and closing of the site.

What do I do if the tank is intact and without contamination?
If the tank is still in use, it can continue to be used. If the
tank is not in use it needs to be closed within one year
of when it stopped being used. A tank can be closed by
filling the existing tank in place with flowable fill or
having the tank removed from the ground and disposed
of according to the DEC regulations.

What do I do if the tank has leaked?
The tank and all contaminated soil need to be removed
according to the DEC STARS program regulations. The
homeowner should obtain a Closure Report pursuant
to applicable NYS guidelines and regulations.