We all do everything we can to make our homes as safe as possible for our families. We install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, we keep up with routine maintenance, we make sure that our heating system is working properly, and we install security devices to keep the world out.
However, there might be unseen dangers in your home that give no clue to their presence, but they can present very serious health risks nonetheless.
Here are three contaminates that could be lurking in your Calgary home, creating an unhealthy environment, and you might not even know that they’re there:
Asbestos – a lot of people think that asbestos was only used for insulation in large facilities like factories, hospitals, and schools. However right up until the mid-1980’s, asbestos was a component in a lot of building materials used in Canadian homes. Zonolite building insulation contained asbestos, and asbestos was added to paint, drywall mud, vinyl flooring, popcorn ceilings, concrete, and fireproof flooring and wall panels around woodstoves. When disturbed, for example during a renovation, these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air.
Mould – modern homes create ideal environments for mould growth. Mould needs moisture and a food supply in order to thrive. Newer, energy efficient homes are sealed up tight, sometimes trapping in the moisture and household dust that moulds feed on. Some mould growth is obvious but if conditions are right it often grows unseen inside walls or in crawlspaces. The spores that moulds produce can cause respiratory problems and a general feeling of malaise in some people.
Radon Gas – radon is in the news again. It’s produced when uranium in the ground decays. It isn’t dangerous when it dissipates into the air. However, if it seeps into basements, it can reach dangerous concentrations. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking in Canadians.
If you’re concerned about the environmental hazards that might be lurking in your home, contact Amity Environmental today to arrange for an assessment.
