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December 7th, 2011
The mold testing and inspection experts at Toronto’s Environmental Services Group were featured on a recent episode of the popular TV show Income Property.
The show, which airs on HGTV, typically deals with the ins and outs of renovating an older property into rental income units of various types. In this episode, homeowners Nelson and Sarah wanted to renovate a basement apartment so they could ask for a good rent to help cover their own expenses. The basement, as it existed, was furnished in mid-tone wood paneling that looked dingy and dated, and likely would have prevented their asking a higher rent or attracting more upscale tenants.
The couple on the show illustrate a common situation. Basement renovations are a typical homeowner project, and the renovation or addition of an income property in your own home can make a lot of financial sense in our uncertain economy. Many people may be tempted to take on those renovations themselves to make it an even more cost effective endeavour, but the Income Property episode underscored the importance of calling in the experts no matter how “handy” you are.
When it came to renovating the wall surfaces, an unwelcome discovery was made – a large growth of mold behind the walls. Basements, which are frequently damp, often present ideal conditions for mold to grow and accumulate, as they did in this case. Environmental Services Group was called in for their mold assessment and removal expertise, and had the potentially dangerous situation under control in short order.
A second – and necessary – step involved mold testing by their certified experts. It’s crucial to complete this process so that you know the unwelcome problem won’t simply return.
In the end, Nelson and Sarah emerged with a bright, beautiful and very rentable basement apartment – and with the peace of mind that came from knowing that they’d effectively dealt with a situation that poses documented health risks.
Mold is no laughing matter. If you plan a basement or any other renovation, or you suspect the presence of mold in your home in any area, do yourself a favour and call the experts at Environmental Services Group for a quote.
An HGTV official supplier, Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ontario, Canada. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: mold removal Toronto, mold testing, Mold Testing Toronto
Posted in Mold Hazards, Mold Removal, News | No Comments »
November 16th, 2011
Recognition of the importance of indoor air quality and the potential health hazards that can exist inside the home continues to gain ground in Ontario, as it does in the rest of North America.
At the 15th Annual Condominium Conference in Toronto in early November, indoor air quality issues were underscored in the environmental portion of the events. While indoor air quality testing is not yet mandated by any existing legislation, condo builders and managers aim to keep ahead of the curve in this area.
Across the province, a township in eastern Ontario recently joined the growing number of cities, provinces and states continent-wide in instituting a bylaw that requires all homes to have a working carbon monoxide (CO) monitor.
The current Ontario Building Code does require a CO monitor to be installed in all new homes, but bylaws like the one in South Dundas township extend that protection to older homes as well.
It’s certainly a step in the right direction, and recognizes the importance of monitoring indoor air quality, along with the dangers of one of the leading (yet preventable) causes of unintentional poisoning in this province. Any home equipped with a heating system that uses fossil fuels is at risk of producing CO, which occurs during incomplete burning of those fuels. Gas and oil heating systems, gas and propane driven vehicles and appliances can all produce CO, so you’ll want to be sure to install a monitor near your garage as well as the other areas of your home.
However, damage to your health can occur due to chronic exposure to levels of CO too low to be detected by your CO monitor, or they may occur in areas that it doesn’t reach. At Environmental Services Group, our equipment is sophisticated enough to detect those lower levels and give you peace of mind. If you’ve been experiencing any of the symptoms of CO exposure, including chronic headaches and a stuffy feeling even if these aren’t necessarily acute, please do yourself a favour and call the experts at Environmental Services Group for a quote.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or http://www.environmentalservicesgroup.ca/getaquote.phpvisit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: carbon monoxide poisoning, indoor air quality, Indoor Air Quality Testing Toronto
Posted in Carbon monoxide, Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
November 4th, 2011
It’s hard to believe now, but at one time asbestos was seen as a kind of “miracle” substance that changed the construction business in North America.
After some experimentation with various materials, asbestos was mixed with cement by the early 20th century. In many ways, it was the ideal construction material – durable, both flame resistant and waterproof, easy to handle and form into a wide variety of useable shapes and formats. The mixtures used ranged from 10-75% cement to asbestos fibres, and were found to be nearly indestructible.
It’s no wonder that siding shingles became one of the very many uses for the asbestos-cement mixture. It was commonly used for industrial buildings, where corrugated sheets replaced corrugated iron. It was more economical and more flexible. Since it was easy to form into any shape, asbestos-cement shingles may feature a variety of finishes, including textured, wood-like and purely decorative applications. These shingles were secured at the bottom, rather then the top as was common with wood or slate shingles, which made them easier to replace.
Asbestos-cement was seen as a versatile, innovative building material in many respects until the early 1970′s and the first bans on asbestos use were initiated in North America. After decades of exposure, asbestos workers had come to present with alarming symptoms, and a link was discovered between inhaled asbestos fibres and a form of lung cancer.
What’s important to remember is that the fibres must be inhaled to become hazardous. Building materials are only considered hazardous if they have deteriorated to the point that they can be crumbled by hand. Asbestos-cement, if intact, is not considered hazardous because the cement fully binds the fibres; therefore they don’t circulate in the air where they can be breathed in.
However any material does deteriorate over time, and chipping, sawing, grinding, sanding – even a large scratch in the surface can release dangerous asbestos fibres into the air. They keys to safe maintenance are:
- Inspection – keep a close eye on the exterior of your home or wherever the materials include asbestos
- Maintenance – clear away any debris as quickly as you can, and avoid contact with things like the lawnmower or weedeater and siding
At Environmental Services Group, asbestos surveys and assessments are one of our areas of expertise. If you see any cracks or chips in need of repair or suspect asbestos use in any of the building materials in your home, then call the experts at Environmental Services Group for a quote.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: Asbestos Removal Toronto, Asbestos siding removal, Asbestos Surveys Toronto, asbestos testing toronto, GTA, North York, Ontario
Posted in Asbestos, Asbestos sampling Toronto, Remediation Guidelines | No Comments »
October 27th, 2011
Sales of older or so-called “resale” homes continue to be strong in Canada and the Toronto area in particular, despite gloomy economic news from other areas. An older home can have many advantages, including a lower price point and details and workmanship that you just won’t find in a brand new house. They can come with some other issues that aren’t desirable and that you may assume are ancient history, including lead contamination.
Lead was once used in a variety of very common household and industrial applications during much of the 20th century. It was widely used in paints, plumbing and even to solder canned goods. Federal regulations began to phase out the use of lead to solder canned goods in the mid-1970’s, and it was abandoned completely about a decade later.
Your home may present the risk of lead exposure if:
- it was built before 1960 (about a quarter of all Canadian homes were built before 1960)
- your plumbing was installed prior to 1990
Lingering lead contamination in the home largely exists in paint or paint dust. Lead based paints may have been used in your home, or also on painted siding. It’s particularly risky when the paint is peeling or eroded from wear and tear, and can exist as a dust that is then inhaled. Children – who seem to put everything in their mouths – and pregnant or nursing women are especially vulnerable to the risks of lead poisoning.
At Environmental Services Group, we can put your mind at ease with a lead survey and assessment. Call the experts at ESG for a quote today.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: Lead and Cadmium Testing Toronto, Lead Poisoning, Lead testing, Lead Testing Toronto
Posted in Lead Based Paint, Lead Testing | No Comments »
October 24th, 2011
Indoor air quality is increasingly coming to the forefront of discussions on the effects of environment on human health. Consider the role of radon.
Radon is a colourless and odourless gas that’s completely undetectable to human senses. It can be produced by the environment surrounding your home, or even by certain products and materials inside the house. It’s also estimated to be the cause of about 10% of all lung cancers, and is considered the second highest source of the disease. To top off the alarming news, radon almost certainly already exists in your home.
So what can you do about it? Education and information are your keys, along with radon testing & inspections performed by the experts.
What is Radon?
Radon is a gas that is produced naturally during the decaying process of uranium. There are traces of uranium all over the globe in a wide range of areas, and it can exist in the underlying rock bed in varying concentrations. It may also be present in small amounts in some building materials, including concrete, bricks, tiles and gyproc. Your granite countertop may contain trace amounts of uranium. As time goes by, it begins to decay and break down, producing compounds that humans and animals may inhale.
Radon seeps into your home through any cracks that may exist, and particularly where the house has contact with the soil, including basements and foundations, the joints of gas and water connections, and other areas.
Some areas may be more prone to radon gas exposure than others, including:
- Areas where the rock bed is uranium-rich
- Hills or slopes
- Areas where the ground forms deep cracks during dry weather
- Very permeable soils
- Areas with underground limestone caverns
Radon is present virtually everywhere on the earth, however, and it’s not possible to tell if your home is prone simply by assessing the area. You’ll need actual radon inspection & testing to know for sure.
How can I minimize the risk of Radon contamination?
Outside, randomly occurring radon gas is typically quickly diluted and made harmless by the natural passage of air. Inside the home, poor ventilation is the main cause for radon gas to collect and concentrate to dangerous levels. Ensuring proper ventilation is your first and most important step.
Here are some other tips:
- Help to reduce emissions from the ground up by sealing and caulking any cracks, holes and fissures in your basement floor and walls
- Paint your basement floor with two coats of paint and a sealer – unfinished floors are at risk of radon gas seeping in
- Increase ventilation by simply opening windows and allowing air to circulate
Radon Inspection & Testing
Radon levels can vary even in the same location depending on the season, climate, and HVAC systems you use. At Environmental Services Group, we recommend that you test during the cooler months of the year – from October to April – and Health Canada recommends that testing continue for a three month period. We strongly suggest you include radon testing in your pre-purchase home inspection.
You’ll never know if there’s a radon problem in your house unless you take the test.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in identifying and remedying environmental hazards such as radon gas, mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Radon: A Guide for Canadian Homeowners (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
Health Canada Radon Fact Sheet
Tags: Environmental Consultants in Toronto Ontario, Indoor Air Quality Testing Toronto Ontario, radon risks, Radon testing, Radon Testing Toronto Ontario
Posted in Indoor Air Quality, Radon Testing | No Comments »
October 11th, 2011
The Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality and Buildings recently commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct a survey among building professionals and get a deeper understanding of just how much or how little they know about indoor air quality. Doing so could give us all a sense of whether Canadian building professionals are on our side and ready to battle indoor air quality problems or in the dark and in need of major education.
Overall, the findings suggest that Canadian building professionals are in the know about the importance of indoor air quality, but they also suggest that many professionals don’t know how to properly remedy it and have rose-colored glasses on when assessing their own dwellings.
Most professionals at least understand that bacteria, second-hand smoke, and toxic mold are threats to indoor air quality and have a solid understanding of the breathing problems they create. Many of them also acknowledge that they get complaints from tenants relating to air quality and that they provide guidance to rectify the problems.
But there are some crucial knowledge gaps in other areas. The ERG survey suggests that most building professionals underestimate the threat caused by volatile organic compounds, which could include cleaning products in carpets, lead paint, and so on.
Worse yet, the majority of building professionals incorrectly identify the best way to repair indoor air quality. Only three in 10 know that “pollutant source control” is most effective, whereas almost half think “increasing ventilation” is the key and roughly a quarter believe “air cleaning” is best.
Almost every building professional reports that his or her space’s overall air quality over a typical year is good. However, only a third rate their air quality as “very good,” the highest possible rating.
So, these findings tell us that:
1) Most building professionals acknowledge that indoor air quality is important;
2) Most building professionals offer guidance to their tenants to help improve their indoor air quality;
3) Most building professionals don’t know the best way to improve indoor air quality;
4) Most building professionals believe their indoor air quality is satisfactory but has room to improve.
In other words, they know that bad indoor air quality is undesirable but don’t know how to fix it, don’t think their own building has it, and give incorrect advice on how to correct it when asked by their tenants. That’s an obvious generalization, as not every building professional is guilty of those traits, but it still illustrates a clear problem.
Thankfully, one key stat suggests there’s hope: the majority say that, when they need more information, they will in fact turn to environmental consultants and other indoor air quality experts. The key is to inform them enough that they realize they’re uneducated. That way they’ll turn to the certified professionals and take their indoor air quality to new heights.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: Environmental Consultants in Toronto Ontario, indoor air quality, Lead Based Paint
Posted in Environmental consulting, Indoor Air Quality, Lead Based Paint | No Comments »
October 9th, 2011
Last week, the World Health Organization released a study on worldwide pollution. It primarily discussed the rising levels of outdoor air pollution; given all the discourse on Global Warming over the last decade, that type of finding isn’t a huge surprise.
What was a big surprise, however, was the WHOs statement that more than two million people die per year from breathing in tiny particles present in indoor and outdoor air pollution. If that’s not a grave warning for us to improve indoor air quality, nothing is.
The point the WHO makes is many of the harmful particles we inhale are so tiny – 10 micrometres or less – that they penetrate into the lungs unnoticed, both inside and outside. They cause heart disease, asthma, lung cancer and acute lower respiratory infections.
The battle to combat outdoor pollution is easier to see. For example, the greenhouse gasses emitted from cars and trucks are usually visible, difficult to inhale and striking enough that they can motivate us to hop on a bike or take public transit.
But the effect of harmful particles inside is much more subtle. You could have volatile organic compounds in your home, emitted from cleaning products or even the lead paint on your children’s toys. You may have toxic mold spores causing respiratory troubles. You may be trapping “bad” air in your house by sealing it off to boost your air conditioner’s functionality.
Because indoor pollutants are tougher to detect, it’s especially prudent to hire an environmental consulting company for a thorough home inspection. A certified expert can identify all the sneakily dangerous compounds that might be in your home. For any families out there: considering that more and more studies these days show how bad indoor air quality hinders children’s development, the time to act is now!
It doesn’t get much more trustworthy than the World Health Organization. Respect its word and hire an expert to ensure your indoor air quality is tip-top.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: environemental consulting, environmental consulting company, indoor air pollution, indoor air quality
Posted in Environmental consulting, Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
October 2nd, 2011
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency recently stated that homeowners should commission professional cleaning companies to tackle mold-damaged areas in homes affected by disasters like flooding.
While the principle behind the suggestion is smart – homeowners aren’t educated about mold and should hire experts to take care of it – the cleaning-company idea is a dangerous one.
If moisture in your damaged home has fostered toxic mold growth and damaged your indoor air quality, it’s absolutely smart to get a cleaning done. But the key is to have an actual expert to the job.
An environmental consulting firm won’t just clean out mold for you. Its experts understand what mechanisms cause mold growth in the first place and how to avoid accidentally spreading spores during a cleanup. An expert cleanup doesn’t simply wipe away the mold; it eliminates it and disposes of it in a way that ensures it won’t return.
A cleaning company may do a fine job on the surface but it may also make some uneducated choices, such as using bleach to fight mold. A certified environmental expert, on the other hand, would know that the bleach method is a myth, and that bleach doesn’t not kill mold entirely.
It’s not that a thorough cleaning after a natural disaster isn’t a good idea; anything that removes moisture and/or debris from your home is helpful. However, if you do decide to hire a cleaning company, consider also hiring an environmental consulting company to finish the job. The real experts will eliminate mold and check for other environmental threats like lead, radon and asbestos.
Cleaning companies may save you backbreaking labor but, in most cases, they don’t know anything more about mold than you do!
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: Environmental consulting, indoor air quality, Radon testing
Posted in Environmental consulting, Indoor Air Quality, Radon Testing | No Comments »
October 2nd, 2011
What better way to fight indoor air quality problems in the home than to build a home that fights indoor air quality?
Avalon Master Builder has finished constructing its Discovery 4 House – the company’s first-ever net-zero home. So what does that mean?
It means the house produces at least as much energy as it consumes, meaning the net energy exchange is zero. It relies on renewable resources like solar energy to power itself.
The Calgary-based home is now on sale for $564,000. Its main goal is to create the ultimate green indoor living space, one that drastically reduces allergens and pollutants. It’s a worthy cause considering that Canadians spend 90 per cent of their time indoors and that poor indoor air quality can cause asthma, migraines, nausea and congestion.
The house’s heat recovery and ventilation system continuously exchanges air throughout the whole house, ensuring that residents are constantly breathing the freshest air possible. The system is crucial because the home is so tightly sealed to ensure no energy is wasted. A tight seal is energy-efficient but can damage indoor air quality by not releasing pollutants outside; the heat recovery and ventilation system remedies that problem.
The home also includes an energy-efficient appliance package and uses a water furnace fan coil to distribute solar-heated, filtered air through the home without using natural gas.
In theory, living at the Discovery 4 Home would give you the ultimate experience in indoor air quality. To ensure that things stay that way, whoever moves in will have to keep track of any basement moisture and consider hiring an environmental consulting firm to ensure the home isn’t at risk for any mold development. Mold spores are among the greatest threats to indoor air quality.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: environmental consulting firm, indoor air quality
Posted in Environmental consulting, Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
September 27th, 2011
As we’ve mentioned before on the Environmental Services Group blog, the Environmental Protection Agency says that we spend 90 per cent of our time indoors on average. In all likelihood, that number is even higher when the cold weather arrives.
Indoor air quality is therefore very important. We usually understand the more obvious threats to it, such as certain cleaning products, ventilation problems, smoking, and so on, but what about the lesser-known dangers? Here are five relatively ignored threats to indoor air quality for you to remember, as inspired by a piece on Care2.com.
1. New electronics
This one may blow your mind. But the truth is that many new electronics, including televisions, video game consoles and computers, are coated with polyvinyl chloride, which can cause hormonal abnormalities and reproductive problems. That “new plastic” smell when you take something out of the package actually means something. Ideally, you can ventilate the space with the device until the fumes relent. Also, be sure to polish and vacuum around the devices regularly.
2. Newly pressed wood and upholstered furniture
We think of hardwood as natural – come on, it’s wood! – but it’s often polished and treated in a way that causes it to emit formaldehyde later. After installing new hardwood, airing out your home is a good idea. An even better idea: seeking out formaldehyde-free wood.
3. Glues and other adhesives
Cleaning products are the more obvious threats but glues and adhesives often emit volatile organic compounds. It’s tough to find glue that won’t affect your indoor air quality. If you can’t, make sure you work in well-ventilated areas. Do your gluing beside an open window!
4. Compact fluorescent lights
If broken, these lights can release mercury into the air. Scary stuff, as it’s a serious neurotoxin. We know how brittle fluorescent lights are, so anyone with children or pregnant women should avoid them altogether.
5. New carpet
New carpet may be the sneakiest of all. If it’s new, it’s clean, right? Not exactly. New carpet is often treated with volatile compounds and should be aired out before installation.
There you have it. You probably know about the obvious threats – paint with lead, for example – but the aforementioned “sneaky” threats can harm your breathing and nervous system, too.
If you’re unsure about any potential indoor air quality threats, an environmental consulting firm can run a full inspection for you and tell you what’s what.
Environmental Services Group is a cutting edge environmental consulting firm based in Toronto and servicing both the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. We provide state-of-the-art, industry-leading expertise in remedying environmental hazards such as mold, lead, asbestos and much more. Call 416-575-6111 or visit our website today for a pressure-free initial consultation. You’ll be glad you did!
Tags: chemical toxins and exposure indoors, IAQ Testing Toronto, indoor air quality, indoor air quality threats, indoor pollutants, Lead testing, Ontario
Posted in Indoor Air Quality, Lead Based Paint | No Comments »
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