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Health & Safety for Home Buyers and Home owners

Here a few items to lookout for when buying a home.  

When a Home is listed by a Realtor the Brokerage requires a form to be filled out by the seller called a

“SELLER'S PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE”  The seller is asked to fill this out to the best of their knowledge.  This a a huge benefit to the buyer.  

  1. Mold - What is Mold?  (Link to Pamphlet)

Molds, including mushrooms and yeasts, are fungi. Molds can exist virtually everywhere in our environment - indoors and outdoors. There are thousands of species of mold and they can be any color.  Molds need several things to grow and reproduce: they need a food source, the right environment, and moisture. The food source can be any organic material such as leaves, wood, paper, or dirt. Moisture sources can come from flooding, leaking pipes, leaking roofs and foundations, and condensation. Molds will grow whenever conditions are right—but the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth is controlling excess moisture.

What Symptoms might I see?

Allergy symptoms are the most common health problems caused by indoor mold.  People exposed to mold commonly report problems such as: breathing difficulties, nasal and sinus congestion, eye irritation (burning, watery, or reddened eyes), cough, nose or throat irritation, skin rashes or irritation.

How Can I tell if I have Mold in my House?

Mold growth on surfaces can often be seen as discolored patches, frequently green, gray, brown, or black but also white and other colors, or cottony or speckled growth on walls or furniture. Sometimes mold grows in areas that are not easily seen by the homeowner – such as hidden inside wall spaces. Signs of water stains or the smell of earthy or musty odors may indicate there may be mold.

Should I test my home for Mold?

Testing is not recommended as a first step if you have a mold problem. Reliable air sampling for mold can be expensive. Homeowners and people living in apartments generally will need to pay a consultant or contractor to carry out such sampling, because insurance companies and public health agencies usually do not provide this service. Your resources are better used to clean up the mold contamination.  

How Can I Prevent Indoor Mold Problems in my Home?

Inspect your home regularly for the indications and sources of indoor moisture and mold. Take steps to eliminate sources of water as quickly as possible. If a leak or flooding occurs, it is essential to act quickly.

    2. Hazardous Materials - Meth (Link to Pamphlet)

I am buying a home and want to know if, and when, I should request a meth test?

If there is known police report indicating a clandestine drug lab was on the property, then remediation is required (per Rule 392-600). Absent police reports, if you suspect meth contamination, you should get a test from a certified decontamination specialist. Many local health departments do not accept tests from any other source than a certified decontamination specialist.


How can I tell if my home was a meth lab?  What are the signs of a meth lab that I should look for?

A large amount of cold tablet containers that list Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine as ingredients.

Jars containing clear liquid with a white or red colored solid on the bottom.

Jars labeled as containing iodine or dark shiny metallic purple crystals inside of jars.

Jars labeled as containing Red Phosphorus or a fine dark red or purple powder.

Coffee filters containing a white pasty substance, a dark red sludge, or small amounts of shiny white crystals.

Bottles labeled as containing Sulfuric, Muriatic or Hydrochloric Acid.

Bottles or jars with rubber tubing attached.

Glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue.

An unusually large number of cans of Camp Fuel, paint thinner, acetone, starter fluid, Lye, and drain cleaners containing Sulfuric Acid or bottles containing Muriatic Acid.

Large amounts of lithium batteries, especially ones that have been stripped.

Soft silver or gray metallic ribbon (in chunk form) stored in oil or Kerosene.

Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue.

Occupants of residence going outside to smoke.

Strong smell of urine, or unusual chemical smells like ether, ammonia or acetone. http://www.dea.gov/concern/clandestine_indicators.html

I am concerned that my home might have been used as a meth lab previously. What should I do?

If there are police reports regarding clandestine drug lab activity on the property, then the guidelines associated with Rule 392-600 must be followed. Regardless, the first step is to contact the local health department in the county where the property is located. Some counties have ordinances that require clean up of all properties that exceed the 0.1 µg/100cm² standard.

If no local ordinances are available, Rule 392-600 can be used as a guideline for property remediation.

Reference: http://www.health.utah.gov/meth/html/FAQ/FAQIndexa.html

    3. Radon - What is Radon? (Link to Pamphlet)

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and is found all over the United States. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States next to smoking.


How do I know if I have Radon in my home?

Radon can enter your home or any building through cracks in the foundation and walls, gaps around service pipes and construction joints. Radon gas can build up to high levels, putting you and your family at risk. Testing your home for Radon is the only way to know if you and your family are being exposed to Radon. Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time. You can order a Radon test kit by going to the following link: www.radon.utah.gov and click on “Order a Test Kit” on the right hand side or call toll free at: 1-800-458-0145.


How can I prevent Radon exposure?

If your house is tested and the result shows your house has high levels of Radon gas, you can lower the amount of radon in your home, by having a Radon reduction system installed and a new home being built can install Radon resistant features. A person can seal any cracks in the foundation and floor, around windows and any other openings. A listing of certified providers/contractors, in Utah can be found at: www.radon.utah.gov .


Where can I find additional information?

Utah Radon Program (Utah Department of Environmental Quality)

Utah Geological Survey - Radon

    4. Lead Paint (Link to Pamphlet)

About Lead-Based Paint


Lead is a highly toxic metal that may cause a range of health problems, especially in young children. When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves and blood.


[Photo: baby]Lead may also cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and in extreme cases, death. Some symptoms of lead poisoning may include headaches, stomachaches, nausea, tiredness and irritability. Children who are lead poisoned may show no symptoms.


Both inside and outside the home, deteriorated lead-paint mixes with household dust and soil and becomes tracked in. Children may become lead poisoned by:


Putting their hands or other lead-contaminated objects into their mouths,

Eating paint chips found in homes with peeling or flaking lead-based paint, or

Playing in lead-contaminated soil

Take a moment to look at the brochure "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home" for additional information (available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Somali and Arabic).


What can you do?


 If your home was built before 1978:


Wipe down flat surfaces, like window sills, with a damp paper towel and throw away the paper towel,

Mop smooth floors (using a damp mop) weekly to control dust,

Take off shoes when entering the house

Vacuum carpets and upholstery to remove dust,

If possible, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a "higher efficiency" collection bag,

Pick up loose paint chips carefully with a paper towel and discard in the trash, then wipe the surface clean with a wet paper towel,

Take precautions to avoid creating lead dust when remodeling, renovating or maintaining your home,

Test for lead hazards by a lead professional. (Have the soil tested too).

For your child:


Have your child's blood lead level tested at age 1 and 2. Children from 3 to 6 years of age should have their blood tested, if they have not been tested before and:

They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1950,

They live in or regularly visit a house built before 1978 with on-going or recent renovations or remodeling

They have a sibling or playmate who has or did have lead poisoning

Frequently wash your child's hands and toys to reduce contact with dust,

Use cold tap water for drinking and cooking

Avoid using home remedies (such as arzacon, greta, pay-loo-ah, or litargirio) and cosmetics (such as kohl or alkohl) that contain lead

Certain candies, such as tamarindo candy jam products from Mexico, may contain high levels of lead in the wrapper or stick. Be cautious when providing imported candies to children

Some tableware, particularly folk terra cotta plates and bowls from Latin America, may contain high levels of lead that can leach into food.

   5. Asbestos

Even if asbestos is in your home, this is usually NOT a serious problem. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or a building is not hazardous. The danger is that asbestos materials may become damaged over time. Damaged asbestos may release asbestos fibers and become a health hazard.

 

THE BEST THING TO DO WITH ASBESTOS MATERIAL IN GOOD CONDITION IS TO LEAVE IT ALONE!  Disturbing it may create a health hazard where none existed before. Read this before you have any asbestos material inspected, removed, or repaired.

 

Where Asbestos Hazards May Be Found In The Home


Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement.

Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.

Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977.

Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.

Older products such as stove-top pads may have some asbestos compounds.

Walls and floors around woodburning stoves may be protected with asbestos paper, millboard, or cement sheets.

Asbestos is found in some vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives.

Hot water and steam pipes in older houses may be coated with an asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape.

Oil and coal furnaces and door gaskets may have asbestos insulation. See: https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/Asbestos-In-The-Home/

 

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