How can surrounding cleanup sites affect my property?

Our team is commonly asked the question, “how can surrounding cleanup sites affect my property?” For property owners, whether residential or commercial, it might seem scary to have a cleanup site nearby. After all, how do you know if you and your property are at risk from nearby cleanup sites? History First thing’s first, how …

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Asbestos Regulations in California

Asbestos: What Is It and How Does It Impact California Worksites? In the early 20th Century, cities all around the world were springing up, and a search was on to find the newest modern building materials for a world ready for a future of innovation and design. The days of wooden slats and lathe and …

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Asbestos Testing Required For All Demolition Projects in California

As an environmental consulting company, a common misconception we encounter is that newer buildings, specifically those built after 1980, cannot contain asbestos. However, did you know that products containing asbestos have not been completely banned for import and use in the United States? Asbestos can be found in many building products such as vinyl-asbestos floor …

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Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

What is asbestos? Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral that has been mined and infused into a variety of materials, from fabrics to ceramics, for thousands of years. Due to its composition and heat resistance properties, asbestos was valued for its ability to resist fire, and because of its structure and abundance in nature, it …

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How Much Does Asbestos Testing Cost?

The average cost for residential asbestos testing is around $600, but a comprehensive inspection can cost around $1500 or more. For renovation projects, since the demolition and chance of making otherwise stable material “friable” increases, inspection is much more intensive and begins at $1200 for a residential project. However there are other factors to consider which …

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Varieties of Mold Spores

Mold Spores on Boulders

Which Types of Mold are Hazardous to Human Health? Mold spores are natural to the environment, but in some cases, they may be dangerous when inhaled. Large concentrations of specific types of mold spores can be problematic for individuals with conditions such as asthma. Some strains of mold spores are also hazardous to the public, …

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Did You Know Asbestos Was Organic?

Asbestos is a Naturally Occurring Mineral. The State Rock of CA is an Asbestos Rock! We are not joking. California is one of three states that has a significant amount of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) throughout the state. The other areas with an abundance of NOAs are Fairfax, Virginia and the states of Washington and …

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Summary Of HUD Radon Policy (Part 2)

Engineer Inspecting Construction Site

Radon testing must follow the procedures established by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Protocol for Conducting Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Multifamily Buildings Section III (ANSI-AARST MAMF-2010), with the exception that at least 25 percent of the ground level apartment units will be tested. The threshold for unacceptability is 4.0 pCi/L based on the first test and any subsequent tests. Residents must be informed that their apartment will be tested for radon, and also before and after any mitigation procedures are completed. For new construction, the new residents must be informed that radon mitigation activities were performed on the site. The Radon Professional will assure that mitigation activities conform to the ASTM standards for existing buildings and new construction. High-rise buildings are currently included in the mitigation standard but HUD is drafting a new standard for high-rise residential buildings.

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RADON – Its Everywhere – Right?

ASTM Commercial Condition Report

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), which all Federal agencies must follow, mandates that properties considered for HUD programs must not contain hazardous materials that could impact the occupants personal health and safety. To assist in achieving compliance for HUD programs, the Federal Radon Action Plan was developed to establish procedures to test …

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