• Phone: 440-748-4660
• Fax: 440-748-4664
• E-mail: dutchinspects@oh.rr.com

Certified Home Inspector • Certified Mold Inspector
Master Indoor Environmental Specialist

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION – A GROWING CONCERN

Why should you have an environmental Inspection?
You may be at risk for health problems, arising from exposure to mold, allergens, radon, or other environmental hazards that threaten clean air quality.

Have you experienced Allergy like symptoms, asthma type breathing problems? Have you had any water intrusion in your home/business such as a damp basement, condensation, or leaking roof?

Have you hesitated to have your home or business tested for radon gas? We are trained to detect and identify the presence of environmental hazards, and to locate the cause and origin of the problem so that it can be corrected.


SOME FACTS
· RADON is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
· Allergic reactions can be immediate or occur after multiple exposures over a period of time.
· 37 million Americans suffer chronic sinus problems caused by MOLD exposure.
· ASBESTOS and LEAD continue to be a problem in many structures.
· 1 in 6 people suffer from common ALLERGENS.
· Bacteria can cause a wide range of illnesses.
· Carbon monoxide can affect the Cardiovascular and the Central Nervous Systems.


Dangerous levels of radon have been found in every state and in all types of homes – old and new.
Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that ALL home buyers test for radon. Accurate testing is the only way to determine if you and your family are at risk from radon.


· EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health
According to the American College of Allergists, 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted air.
· Exposure to dust mites, cat saliva, animal dander, and mold is estimated to cause at least 200,000 emergency room visits by asthma patients each year.
Mold it literally a growing concern. National media attention has alerted the public to the destructive and possibly toxic dangers of hidden mold spores that could affect their family’s health and their homes. EPA studies indicate that air levels of indoor pollutants may be two to three times higher than outdoor levels. Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected because if its invisibility. Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors and ate not aware of the health hazards created by this pollutant. You owe it to yourself to minimize exposure to mold spores in the indoor environment, test for mold today.


How can someone be exposed to MOLD?
There are several ways you can become exposed to mold:
· Breathing in the spores from the air.
· Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it.
· Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects.

Can MOLD cause health problems?
Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even make a home uninhabitable. However, everyone is affected differently when in contact with mold. The mold that may not bother seller may cleverly affect the buyer. Some mold can produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic chemical substances known as mycotoxins. People who are sensitive and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reaction to mold is common. They can be immediate or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause asthma attacks. Others at risk may include: infants, children, women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.
With exposure, even in small amounts mold may cause:
· Itching or irritation of the nose, eyes, throat, or skin
· Mysterious skin rashes
· Sinus infections or congestion/sinusitis (runny nose)
· Upper or lower respiratory infections
· Fatigue
· Frequent headaches
· Trouble concentrating, memory lapses, confusion
· Mood swings, anxiety, depression
· Chronic aches and pains
· Digestive problems