Sunday, January 28, 2018

Blog M1.5

Blog M1.5
There are multiple unseen environmental health risks at home. Property tenants, landlords, and owner occupants need to be aware of these health risks as we are all responsible for everybody’s healthy existence. The Home Environmental Health and Safety Assessment Tool pointed out these risk items, where they are and how they are identified.
My home was built in the 1960’s. Using the assessment tool, I was able to not only identify, but also to assure that the environmental risks were remediated with the following:
1.   Popcorn ceiling removed.
2.   Copper piping in use
3.   Water filtration installation
4.   New windows, new paint
5.   Smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation
6.   Use of “green” chemical free pesticides
7.   Attic cleaning and new insulation (not sure if there are chemicals in the fire-retardant insulation used).
Popcorn ceilings, old furnace, chipping paints, old water pipes are environmental health risks in older homes. Many older houses also have underground living spaces that may have a high level of radon. Radon is associated with cancer. As mentioned above, the owner and occupants of the homes are responsible for environmental health risks. There are health and environmental agencies that could help responsible parties to identify and re mediate these health risks.



2 comments:

  1. Hi Ira,

    It sounds like your home is in great shape! I enjoyed reading the list of ways some environmental risks have been mitigated. I remember growing up with popcorn ceilings and never knowing the risks. Hopefully all of those old ceilings have been removed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Ira,

    It seems our homes maybe similar, we still have the popcorns ceilings as well. You never know how such a small detail can be hazardous until it is brought to your attention. Your list was very well written, nice to read.

    ReplyDelete