Hazardous Materials Inspections in Residential Properties

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Let Us Help You Identify Hazardous Materials in Your Home

Lead Based Paint Inspections

Many residential properties built before 1978 have lead-based paint. Lead from paint, chips and dust can pose serious health hazards, especially for children under the age of six years. We have a team of lead paint inspectors and risk assessors to perform the following categories of lead paint inspections in different types of residential properties:

Testing of Paint for Lead

Our lead inspectors perform onsite testing of paint using a handheld Niton® X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer. This inspection would enable residential owners and property managers to identify specific locations that contain lead based paint prior to renovation and remodeling work. 

Lead Testing for Rental Property Compliance

We are licensed by the Maryland Department of the Environment, DC Department of Energy & Environment to perform different types of lead paint inspections in rental properties for regulatory compliance. 

Post-Remediation Clearance Inspections and Testing

We perform post-remediation clearance inspections in accordance with guidelines specified by the United States Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This includes a visual inspection to verify the remediation work performed, and dust wipe sampling and testing to ensure that work areas are safe for reoccupation.

Asbestos Inspections

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was commonly used in a variety of building materials. Residential properties built prior to the 1980s are most likely to have some types of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM), including wall and pipe insulation, cement roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles and mastic, spray-on fire proofing, ceiling tiles, patching compound on wall and ceiling joints, and textured paint. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that causes mesothelioma, a fatal cancer that is caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. It is possible to be exposed to asbestos fibers in residential properties during renovation projects and/or accidental damage by fire, harsh weather conditions, and water intrusions. We have trained and licensed inspectors to perform the following types of asbestos inspections in residential properties:

Asbestos Inspections

We undertake safe sampling of suspect ACM in residential buildings following EPA and AHERA protocols. We use NVLAP accredited laboratories to analyze the bulk samples under polarized light microscopy (PLM). Our inspection report includes the results of sample analysis, locations and quantity of ACM, and specification for abatement. 

Asbestos Abatement Project Monitorin

We offer industrial hygiene monitoring services for asbestos abatement projects, that include visual inspection of the containment, daily air monitoring inside and outside the containment, verify abatement work performed inside containment and safe disposal of debris, and post-abatement final visual inspection and clearance air sampling to ensure safe re-occupancy. 

Mold Inspections

Mold is a fungal growth that forms on damp or decaying organic material. Indoor mold growth is facilitated by damp conditions due to a leaking pipe or rainwater intrusion, and high relative humidity. Exposure to mold spores in air can cause health problems such as allergies (e.g., sneezing, irritation of nose, throat or mouth, nasal congestion and runny nose, itchy or watery eyes), asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (a kind of lung inflammation). Our trained and licensed mold inspectors and industrial hygienists perform the following types of mold inspections:

Mold inspections

Our trained personnel conduct visual inspections to identify patches of suspected mold growth in building materials and filters of air handling units, obtain moisture readings from areas affected by water intrusions, measure relative humidity, collect swab and/or tape lift samples from patches of suspected mold growth, and perform air sampling for non-viable mold spores. The samples are analyzed by EMLAP accredited laboratories. Our mold inspection report includes an analysis of results and a protocol to address indoor mold growth. 

Post-remediation Clearance Inspections

We perform post-remediation clearance inspections to verify the efficiency of mold remediation work, and collect swab/tape lift samples and air samples for mold spores from specific work areas to determine whether mold growth related air quality concerns have been addressed for safe re-occupancy.

Radon Inspections

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in rocks, soil and groundwater. Residents can be exposed to Radon primarily through breathing air contaminated with Radon that comes through cracks and gaps in their homes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. EPA recommends implementing relevant measures to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. We offer short-term (3 days) and long-term monitoring (>90 days) of Radon in residential properties. 

Drinking Water Quality Inspections

Drinking water can expose residents to a variety of harmful pollutants and pathogens that lead to illness. Residential properties receive water from municipal water supply or from private wells. Municipal water supply is subjected to efficient water treatment and monitoring to protect consumers from contaminants. However, municipal water in residential properties can be contaminated with metals such as lead and copper from plumbing systems, and bacteria from damaged water pipes. In general, private wells are not treated and monitored on a regular basis. Possible contaminants of well water includes microbes such as bacteria and protozoan parasites, nitrate and nitrites, heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead, copper and cadmium, organic chemicals from pesticides, solvents and petroleum products, radionuclides such as uranium and radium, and fluoride.

We provide drinking water quality inspections for residential properties that receive water from a municipal water supply and/or from a private well. Our licensed drinking water quality inspectors collect water samples in accordance with EPA guidelines, and have them analyzed for potential contaminants through certified laboratories. 

Indoor Air Quality Inspections

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air. This poses a major health concern as most people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure, or years later. Indoor air pollutants include bio-aerosols (e.g., mold, dust mites, pollen), chemical pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, radon), and respirable particulate matter that could include toxic materials such as asbestos and lead. 

We offer comprehensive and efficient indoor air quality inspections for residential properties, using state-of-the art equipment and experienced industrial hygienists. Our detailed indoor air quality inspection report includes findings, recommendations and guidelines to address specific issues documented.