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Our job as your professional home inspector is to alert
you, to the extent possible, to unknown problems and potential environmental hazards in your current or potential house. Ours
is a non-invasive visual inspection of your property. While we may be able to alert you to possible problems, our basic inspections
are no substitutes for specialized contaminant testing.
MOLD
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere,
indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold, at least 1,000 of which are common in America. Species
of Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are some of the most commonly found species. Mold most likely grows in bathrooms,
basements, and anywhere else where there is dampness or water. Many types of mold routinely encountered aren’t hazardous
to healthy individuals. Too much exposure to mold may cause a worsening of such conditions as asthma, hay fever, or other
allergies. Fevers and breathing problems in a vulnerable individual are possible but unusual. When moldy material becomes
damaged or disturbed, spores, which are reproductive bodies similar to seeds, can be released into the air. Exposure can occur
if people inhale the spores, directly handle moldy material, or accidentally ingest the spores. Since all molds need water
to grow, mold can grow almost anywhere where there is high humidity, dampness, or water damage. Most often molds are confined
to areas near the water source. Removing the source of moisture through repairs or dehumidification is crucial in preventing
mold growth. Correcting underlying water damage and cleaning the affected area is the best way to treat mold. If mold contamination
is extensive, a professional abatement company may be needed. Excerpts from The New York City Department of Health &
Mental Hygiene, Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology, “Facts About Mold”.
RADON
Radon is a
radioactive gaseous element produced in the disintegration of radium, a radioactive metallic element. It cannot be detected
by the senses and can be confirmed only by sophisticated instruments and laboratory tests. The gas enters a house through
pores and cracks in the concrete or through floorboards of poorly ventilated crawlspaces, especially when wet ground allows
the gas to escape easily through the soil and disperse in the atmosphere. Radon is a lung carcinogen: the National Academy
of Sciences estimates radon causes some 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths annually. The U.S. Surgeon General and the EPA
recommend all houses be tested for radon. Houses with high radon levels can be fixed. Excerpts from U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, “Indoor Radon”.
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