Discovering a moisture or fungal-based issue in a property can be a distressing event. Oftentimes the repairs are costly and some property owners will defer the repair or avoid detailed inspection that might uncover greater scope of damage than is visible to the naked eye. Under scoping or delaying remediation can lead to a variety of risks including adverse health effects, structural impacts, and litigation. It is imperative to mitigate the problem before it evolves into a severe situation. How Mold Problems Begin Mold requires two basic necessities to grow, which are water and a nutrient sou ..read more

Why are Septic Systems Important? Septic systems is to take wastewater from your home and purify it so it can safely reenter the ground water system without chemicals or treatments. http://: https://www.peaksewer.ca/blog/how-does-my-septic-system-work/ How do Septic Systems Work? Septic systems start with a main sewer line coming out from your home. All waste water originating from inside of the home runs down the main sewer line and enters into the septic tank. When in the septic tank, the waste water separates into various sections. The top layer is the scum layer which includes substances ..read more

Cancer rates 190x the EPA’s acceptable level and an area referred to as the ‘toxic donut’ – two overlooked communities with severe ongoing environmental pollution Major environmental disasters such as the water quality of Flint, Michigan or the wildfires in California have stood out given their media coverage in the last decade but many more are overlooked. This blog we will discuss two communities that face severe environmental issues – Port Arthur, Texas and the Altgeld Gardens community in Chicago, IL. Port Arthur, TX Port Arthur, located approximately 80 miles east of Houston, is the home ..read more

If you are a technology enthusiast, you have likely heard of the carbon nanotubes. These microscopic, extremely durable, fibers are an emerging technology which can have drastic impacts on technology and infrastructure. However, many experts have noted similar characteristics to asbestos. Today’s blog will discuss nanotubes and potential health risks. What Are Carbon Nanotubes? Carbon nanotubes, also known as buckytubes, are an allotrope of carbon. Allotropes have the same chemical composition but a different structure at the atomic level. Common allotropes of carbon are diamonds and graphite ..read more

A UK study published by Scientific Reports in March 2022 showed UV light at a 222 nanometer wavelength emitted from krypton chloride lamps inactivated Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and proved safe for human exposure. UV light is a long proven technology for inactivating bacteria and viruses and is widely advocated by ASHRAE and the EPA. The common concern about traditional UV applications is its hazardous effect of direct exposure to skin or eyes caused by improperly deployed systems. In this blog we will discuss UV 222 and details of this latest study. Background on UV According to the World ..read more

A recent study published by the American Thoracic Society (ATC) revealed that the driving force for black lung disease is respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust exposure. Until recently there was limited direct evidence of linking RCS to black lung disease, fibrosis of the lungs caused by coal dust exposure. This blog will discuss RCS, how it impacts more than just miners and what can be done to control exposure. What is Crystalline Silica? Silica is a common mineral found on the earth’s crust and in materials such as sand, concrete, and stone. Common rock types that contain crystalline sili ..read more

Did you know, when given the right conditions of moisture and a nutrient source, mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours following water damage? To prevent the spread it is essential to act quickly to both dry out wet materials (where possible) and remove others. Using an independent environmental consultant, like Indoor Science, is essential to your emergency response to 1) Accurately assess the extent of water damage 2) Ensure the proper scope of mold and material remediation is developed and executed. Moisture Mapping and Initial Inspection Mold requires an organic nutrient source. Many buildin ..read more

Did you know that the city of Chicago has air monitoring requirements for demolition contractors? Demolition in Chicago comes with many regulations such as following the Clean Air Act and EPA’s NESHAP to name a few. One regulation that many may not be aware of is the Chicago’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) required air monitoring plan for contractors prior to demolition. Failure to comply could cause contractors to face fines or other severe consequences. In this blog we discuss the components of this air monitoring plan and required testing. Monitoring & Modeling: What is required? C ..read more

In the United States, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the federal agency that has the authority to issue and enforce workplace health and safety standards put in place to protect workers. OSHA was formed in 1971, as a result of the OSH Act being signed into law in 1970. OSHA has standards in place for a wide range of protections. As a business owner, you might wonder “How do I know if am meeting OSHA compliance?” OSHA Compliance: A Brief Summary OSHA’s mission statement is: “assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing st ..read more

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 and the ACGIH calls these “particles not otherwise specified (PNOS). These are particles that are not a part of any other regulated material and can be sampled without needing to be identified specifically. Respirable vs Total Dust In ..read more