Office: 908-204-3070
After Hours: 908-766-1122
Fax: 908-204-3075

262 South Finley Ave
Basking Ridge, NJ

Environmental Contaminants in the Home

LEAD:

  • Is a highly toxic (poisonous) metal.
  • Is found in paint, ceramics, pipes, solders, gasoline, batteries, and cosmetics.
  • Common sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint in older homes, contaminated soil, household dust, drinking water, lead crystal, and lead-glazed toys, jewelry and pottery.
  • Can cause lack of muscular coordination, convulsions and coma, changes in children’s mental development and behavior.

MOLD:

Is a type of fungus that may grow in a house where there are warm, moist conditions. It reproduces by making spores which can break off and float through the air. Some people are sensitive to molds which can cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some molds can cause severe reactions or illness. Mold should be cleaned up and prevented from growing. It must be removed in a safe manner.

RADON:

  • An odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas that occurs naturally in soil.
  • Produced by natural breakdown of uranium and radium in rocks.
  • In higher concentrations in certain areas of New Jersey.
  • Estimated to cause 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually.
  • A leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
  • The second leading cause of lung cancer overall.
  • Blamed for large increases in risk of lung cancer in smokers.
  • Found in a high percentage of Somerset County homes to exceed the radon action level of 4 picocuries per liter (NJDEP).

CARBON MONOXIDE:

is a colorless and odorless gas It is mainly found as a product of incomplete combustion from vehicles and oil or gas burners. Poisoning from carbon monoxide often results from improper ventilation in buildings or inhalation from vehicles, generators or gas heaters. It is important to prevent poisoning through monitoring and detection.