|
Residential
Commercial
Insurance
Mold
Asbestos
Lead
Indoor Air Quality
Bacteria
Radon
Site Assessments
Media Clips
|
August 25th, 2010
Foreclosed properties are often seen as great investments or cheap first homes, but in many cases they may have been hastily prepared for sale, leaving them at risk of containing mold, asbestos or lead.
A quick online search reveals thousands of websites and many in the Greater Toronto Area that are begging to offer you a deal on a foreclosed home, sometimes known as a power of sale home. In the case of power of sale homes, the bank is the one selling the home.
More often than not, these homes come with lengthy sales agreements that include several clauses, usually the most poignant being that you accept the home “as is”. Lead and asbestos may be common problems in older homes due to their use in paint and residential building materials decades ago. More importantly, if these “as is” homes require any remodeling or renovation work, this work will disturb both lead and asbestos and create a health risk as these materials will go airborne and be inhaled.
**In any home built before the 1980s, a lead inspection and asbestos inspection should be completed before moving in**
Mold can be found in any home regardless of age, but it is more likely to be present in homes that have suffered flooding, other forms of neglect and disrepair or water damage.
A distressed property is a home that has not been repossessed due to the previous owner defaulting on their mortgage, but that has suffered extreme neglect, unsanitary conditions or hoarding behaviour. In the case of distressed property, mold is a common problem and if you have any information that may suggest the home is a distressed property, a mold inspection is necessary. When purchasing a home, do not hesitate to make your offer on the home conditional on whether you are satisfied with a mold inspection, lead inspection and asbestos inspection beforehand.
Mold Inspection Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Mold Inspection Toronto
Posted in Mold Removal | No Comments »
July 24th, 2010
It seems like everyone’s getting the urge to renovate these days. And why not? It’s a great way to get a change of scenery while adding value.
According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, interior and exterior paint jobs can be one of the best ways to renovate a home and are right up there with kitchen and bathroom overhauls when it comes to adding value. Under regular circumstances, you could expect to see up to 100% of a return on your initial painting investment when you sell your home.
Be aware of the presence of mold and lead
There are two things to be aware of when it comes to large paint jobs: mold and lead - especially in an older home, which may be the most in need of a renovation or update.
Mold When gearing up to paint a wall that has mold, you should know that painting over it may not be the best way to go. Likely, the mold will only grow back and the entire surface may need to be removed. Whether you should paint over mold also depends on whether or not the material being painted over has absorbed much of the mold.
Soft materials like carpet and ceiling tiles need to be replaced when they become infested, and drywall is a soft material too. Plaster is less soft and thus less of a haven for mold, but at the very least the affected surface of the wall will need to be sanded down before painting.
There are also mold-inhibiting paints available, but a full removal of the affected area is usually best in order to avoid having it come back later. If this is the case, a professional mold removal and inspection company can help determine your possible options.
Lead
Lead is a much trickier problem than mold when it comes to painting. If the house is more than 30 years old, it’s very likely that lead paint was used when the home was built. With lead, it is the actual sanding, rubbing and otherwise disturbing of the paint that creates lead dust, which is later inhaled and can settle in soft materials like upholstered furniture or clothing.
Lead paint can sometimes be coated fully with new paint, so that it is fully encapsulated and poses less of a risk. However, if the lead paint is peeling or chipping, or if the paint job will require sanding or any other disturbing of the wall, there are other special precautions that need to be taken. This can include using HEPA filters to catch airborne particles, wearing proper safety equipment as well as clearing all of the furniture out of the room.
Most homeowners don’t realize how important it is to clean the walls before painting for the best results. Dust, grease and other grime can settle on walls quite easily depending on where they are in the home, but this cleaning process can also disturb the lead paint. At this point, a professional should be called in, to first check for the presence of lead as well as help the homeowner determine their options.
Lead Testing Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Lead Testing Toronto Ontario
Posted in Lead Testing | No Comments »
June 18th, 2010
It wasn’t lead, but the toxic heavy metal cadmium that sparked a giant recall of children’s toys at the beginning of June.
McDonald’s restaurants in both Canada and the United States voluntarily recalled the glasses that were part of a Shrek movie promotional campaign due to higher than acceptable amounts of cadmium in the paint adorning the glasses.
The glasses were collectibles and belonged to a set of four, prompting families with little ones to snap up as many as they could. Like lead, cadmium is particularly dangerous when it comes to children because it can affect brain, bone and kidney development as well as lead to an increase in the development of learning disabilities.
Cadmium is often used as a pigment in red or yellow paint, which is exactly the case with the McDonald’s glasses. If a child touches the paint and then puts their fingers in their mouths or puts their mouths on the painted area of the glasses, they can ingest unsafe amounts of cadmium. Cadmium is also a known carcinogen, and has already also been found in dangerous levels in children’s jewelry this year. The jewelry was made in China, but the recalled glasses were made in the United States, and testing by the Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that cadmium was easily transferred onto hands just by touching the glasses. Surprisingly, an anonymous tip led to the testing, suggesting someone knew the glasses were made with cadmium paint.
Lead and Cadmium Testing in Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Lead and Cadmium Testing Toronto
Posted in Lead Testing | No Comments »
May 21st, 2010
When your mother warned you not to use hot water for making baby formula, she wasn’t just relaying an old wives’ tale. Despite the fact that hot water boils much faster than cold, running hot water through your pipes can leach impurities and dirt into the water, which is then consumed. Among these impurities is lead. Many people think these fears are outdated, because lead pipes aren’t installed in new buildings.
However, lead pipes are still present in older buildings and until the mid-1980s, non-lead piping was still soldered with lead.
The City of Toronto is in the midst of a massive multi-million dollar lead pipe abatement project that has partially replaced a lot of the city’s lead pipes - but only on city property. Homeowners are still responsible for having their own homes inspected for lead.
However, this project might be making the problem much worse, as recent research out of Virginia Tech University proves that only partially removing lead pipes - and replacing some of them with copper - can increase the concentration of lead in the water. This is because where the two materials meet, lead is more likely to flake off or corrode in greater amounts. Toronto’s project is now halted while they investigate the research. Similar lead pipe abatement projects in the United States have also been at a standstill since the research was reported in March of this year. Homeowners who have only partially replaced their lead piping may also be facing the same consequences.
One can easily avoid running hot tap water into a pot to make dinner. But when one considers showering, hand washing and other activities that require hot water, it’s easy to see how lead can be absorbed into the body. Children are at a higher risk because of their tendency to put their hands in their mouths and because of the effects lead has on their developing brains.
This is why having your home’s water and paint tested for lead is doubly important - to ensure that your home is either lead-free or that the lead is adequately contained. Whether it is lead piping or lead paint, both were once extremely common in Ontario homes and as evidenced by the research, even the partial abatement of lead can be an incorrect and dangerous solution. A professional lead inspection can help you determine what steps can be taken to better protect yourself and your family.
Lead Testing in Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Lead Testing Toronto
Posted in Lead Testing, Uncategorized | No Comments »
April 17th, 2010
As time goes by, and perhaps due to a down economy, more and more fly-by-night ”environmental consultants” and companies start to pop up. As follows, these companies may appear to be legitimate, claiming to be “certified” and “licensed” in their respective fields. But in reality, they’re about as legitimate as a Nigerian Internet Scam.
But how can the average consumer tell if an environmental consultant is legitimate? In a nutshell, by paying heed to the following criteria:
Ensure their corporate name is registered - legitimate companies have legitimate (registered) businesses and business names. It’s all too easy to register a domain name, buy an “online certificate” for a few dollars, get a cell phone, set up a website and call yourself an environmental consultant.
Business history - ensure the company has a history of providing good service and a solid track record. Asking for references and checking with the Better Business Bureau will save you a boatload of grief down the road.
General Liability Insurance - at the very minimum, make sure that the company in question has a minimum of 2 million dollars in Errors and Omissions Insurance.
Registered Occupational Hygienist or Certified Industrial Hygienist on Staff Recognized Certifications - If the company in question uses acronyms like CMI (certified mold inspector) and CMR (certified mold remediator), check to see that the certifiying body is legitimate. If it is not from ACAC then it is likely a quick internet print yourself a certificate.
Scope of services - does this company provide only one service or, like most professional environmental consultants, can it offer a range of other hazardous material inspection services such as air quality inspections, asbestos inspections etc.
Further, when looking for an Environmental Removal and Abatement Contractor, look for:
Company name- same criteria applies here as it does for professional enviromental consultant (see above).
General Liability Insurance - at the very minimum, make sure that the company in question has a minimum of 2 million dollars in Pollution Control Insurance.
Years of Experience - Asbestos is a “designated substance,” as such, asbestos abaement companies must be registered with the Ontario Government. Most legitimate asbestos abatement companies have 20+ years of experience with both mold and asbestos matters.
Recognized Certifications - IICRC puts out 3 Excellent Certifications including Water Restoration Technician, Applied Microbial Remediation, Applied Structural Drying References. Protect yourself by checking to see if said company is certified.
Contact us for more information about choosing a legitimate environment consultant and/or hazardous materials company. We can help.
Environmental Consultants in Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Environmental Consultants in Toronto Ontario
Posted in Mold Removal | No Comments »
April 17th, 2010
Mould and asbestos tend to hog the media spotlight when it comes to indoor air quality, but a third deadly indoor air pollutant is even more difficult for homeowners to detect and is impossible to see.
Radon is an invisible, odourless, radioactive gas that is found in outside air. It’s a byproduct of uranium that’s constantly breaking down in soil, the levels of which differ across the country. Some areas of Ontario and Nova Scotia have the highest concentrations of soil-based uranium in Canada. While radon does exist in the outdoor environment, these tiny amounts are relatively harmless. However, when radon creeps up into homes through cracks or holes in foundation and openings for water wells, it becomes trapped in the smaller space and can build up to dangerous levels.
Radon is a major cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, but the majority of radon-related lung cancer deaths occur in smokers. The inhalation of the radioactive radon particles is what causes lung cancer, and radon testing is the only way to determine the level of radon within a home or building.
The Ontario Lung Association recommends having your home tested for radon to see if your family is at risk. Health Canada considers 200 Bq/m3 the acceptable cut-off rate for radon levels within a home. If it’s above this level, steps should be taken to seal off any cracks or openings where radon may be able to get into a home, as well as increasing the ventilation in these areas.
The lower the amount of radon, the lower the risk to your health. Because of this, Health Canada still recommends reducing the radon level if the level found in a home is less than 200 Bq/m3 .
Should you suspect the presence of radon in your home or place of work, contact Environmental Services Group for a friendly and pressure-free phone or on-site consultation at (416) 575.6111 . We can help.
Radon Testing in Toronto, Acton, Ajax, Barrie, Brampton, Brantford, Cambridge, Etobicoke, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Kitchener, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, North York, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Peel Region, Scarborough, Thornhill, Vaughan, Waterloo, Whitby, York Region Ontario.
Tags: Radon Testing Toronto Ontario
Posted in Radon Testing | No Comments »
March 25th, 2010
Earth Hour, the global annual energy-use awareness movement that is grabbing an increasing amount of international media attention takes place on March 27th this year. Many notable landmarks, including the CN Tower, will be dimming their lights or turning them off altogether to draw attention from around the world to energy conservation.
Increasing the quality of indoor air in a home or business not only leads to better overall health in families and decreases absenteeism in employees, but the problems that create poor indoor air quality are also major energy-hoggers. These include inadequately-functioning furnaces, air conditioners and clogged filters. But a more serious problem can occur when households and companies try to become more energy-efficient without following up with indoor air quality testing.
When most people think of energy efficiency, one of the first things that comes to their mind are drafty windows and doors, since up to 30 per cent of a home’s heat can literally be going out the window if they aren’t sealed properly. This overzealous sealing of a home can lead to dangerous consequences by increasing the tendency of harmful substances like radon to build up easily.
Radon is a deadly gas linked to lung cancer that occurs naturally in the environment, but like many other toxins becomes more dangerous when it builds up in an enclosed space. Other substances that can become even more serious when trapped in small spaces include mould, asbestos and lead, all of which may be present in a home or building unseen.
When trying to become a greener household or company, indoor air quality testing and surveys can allow you to lower your heating and cooling bills and become more energy-efficient while remaining worry-free and healthy at the same time.
EnvironmentalServicesGroup.ca ~ Providing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Southwest and Central Ontario. Contact us today in Toronto at (416) 575-6111; Mississauga (905) 905-824-5733; Southwest Ontario (London, Sarnia, Windsor) (519) 434-0796; Barrie (705) 719-0746 or Toll Free 1-866-310-4219.
Tags: Indoor Air Quality Testing Toronto Ontario
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
February 11th, 2010
After Chinese-made products were recently hit with a barrage of recalls due to the presence of lead, it would appear that China has only replaced the use of lead with something even more dangerous - cadmium.
Testing conducted for the Associated Press has revealed some products that were virtually all from China, mostly bracelet charms and jewelry sold all over the United States, contained as much as 84 to 91 per cent cadmium by weight.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of the most hazardous substances found in the environment, and cadmium comes in seventh place out of a total of 275.
Similar to the effects of lead poisoning, cadmium can harm the developing brains of children but is also a known carcinogen. These particular items made with cadmium can be easily chewed on, swallowed, and touched by children who could then put their fingers in their mouths, which is all that would be needed to put the child at a significant risk of exposure.
One theory as to why cadmium is now the toxic heavy metal of choice is that after the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was implemented in 2008, the use of lead had became strictly regulated and Chinese manufacturers needed to find a substitute. Prices of cadmium had become lower and lower, making it a viable option.
Asian manufacturers are only beginning to realize the dangers associated with using cadmium in such products, and it may take further legislation to regulate its use. North American manufacturers, however, are more likely to use zinc in similar products.
EnvironmentalServicesGroup.ca ~ Providing Lead Testing and Cadmium Testing Services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Southwest and Central Ontario. Contact us today in Toronto at (416) 575-6111; Mississauga (905) 905-824-5733; Southwest Ontario (London, Sarnia, Windsor) (519) 434-0796; Barrie (705) 719-0746 or Toll Free 1-866-310-4219.
Tags: Lead Testing Toronto
Posted in Lead Based Paint | No Comments »
January 16th, 2010
Asbestos is generally thought of as something similar to lead paint - used in Canadian homes decades ago, but now commony known as a toxic and dangerous substance no longer used, reminiscent of a dead industry from years passed.
Think again. Canada is actually among the world’s leading asbestos exporters, shipping out over $100 million worth per year. Many developing nations like Vietnam, India and Indonesia are lining up to buy the deadly mineral for use in the construction of homes and buildings. In the not-so-coincidentally named town of Asbestos, Quebec, resides the world’s largest chrysotile mine. Many countries are waiting to buy the over 200 million tonnes of chrysotile that will become available in a planned expansion of the mine to tap extremely large reserves nearby.
Chrysotile is a form of asbestos that the Canadian government maintains is safer than other forms of asbestos when used properly. Ironically, while organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Medical Association are urging the government to stop the mining and export, the Parliament buildings themselves - where the very government that endorses the use of chrysotile resides - are undergoing a multimillion dollar asbestos-removal renovation.
Rightfully so, as the World Health Organization says that no matter what the variety, it is a carcinogen that kills over 90,000 people annually worldwide. The inhalation of asbestos fibres causes mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer that kills patients typically within two years of diagnosis and can appear decades after the initial exposure. For very obvious reasons, Canada is alone in not supporting worldwide bans of asbestos use, directly defying the urging and advice of numerous health and labour advocates and organizations. The export of asbestos materials to developing countries that may not have the same awareness level about its dangers as we do should be considered unconscionable.
Should you suspect the presence of asbestos in your home or business, Contact EnvironmentalServicesGroup.ca – Toronto’s asbestos survey and assessment specialists. We can help.
EnvironmentalServicesGroup.ca ~ Providing Asbestos Surveys in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Southwest and Central Ontario. Contact us today in Toronto at (416) 575-6111; Mississauga (905) 905-824-5733; Southwest Ontario (London, Sarnia, Windsor) (519) 434-0796; Barrie (705) 719-0746 or Toll Free 1-866-310-4219.
www.blogcatalog.com
Tags: Asbestos Surveys and Assessments Toronto Ontario
Posted in Asbestos | No Comments »
December 15th, 2009
The University of Toronto has received its first ever LEED Gold Certification from the Canadian Green Building Council. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, recognizes the efforts for constructing a green facility, specifically the office of Real Estate Operations and Facilities and Services building. The building achieves points in specific categories, such as energy management, procurement and material use, and indoor air quality.
The majority of a person’s day is typically spent inside, making indoor air quality a top health and safety concern. Air quality is often associated with thoughts of smog, outside pollution and auto emission fumes, but inside where there is a limit or fresh air coming in, it can be far worse for your health. Even with the technological advances of today, because of the growing cause for energy efficiency, there is less fresh air entering the indoors. As a result, pollutants are becoming more concentrated in the air we breathe everyday.
The University of Toronto building has focused its efforts to improve indoor air quality by creating a demand-controlled ventilation system for offices and meeting rooms, reducing air conditioning requirements as well as constructing a green wall that is connected to the lobby air distribution system that filters and removes pollutants in the air. A build up of air contaminants can lead to health and respiratory issues.
Some symptoms that can be linked to poor indoor air quality include nausea, sinus congestion, fatigue, allergies and dry eyes, nose and throat. People exposed to indoor air pollutants on a regular basis might notice they begin to feel better once they’ve left the building for a while or take a vacation. No matter what the type, indoor air pollutants are a primary threat to health. They penetrate deep into the lungs and are absorbed into the body, making proper indoor air quality an essential component of healthy living. Contact Environmental Services Group for more information.
Indoor Air Quality Testing services also carried out in Ajax, Barrie, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Bracebridge, Brantford, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Cobourg, Collingwood, Georgetown Guelph, Hamilton, Keswick, Kitchener, Lindsay, London , Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Muskoka, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Oakville, Orangeville, Oshawa, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Pickering, Port Carling, Port Hope, Richmond Hill, Severn Bridge, Sarnia , Simcoe, Southwest Ontario , St Catharines, Thornhill, Toronto, Waterdown, Waterloo, Whitby, Windsor Ontario.
Tags: Indoor Air Quality Testing Toronto
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
|
