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Environmental Solutions To Environmental Problems

Environmental Solutions To Environmental Problems

AMD Environmental is a team of environmental consultants dedicated to providing expert services at an affordable price. Our highly skilled team performs environmental services at residential, commercial, and industrial properties. 

Our consulting and testing services include mold, lead, asbestos, and hazardous materials. 

MOLD

Mold is a fungus that grows on damp or decaying organic materials. Mold is all over the environment, indoors and outdoors. The presence of mold does not indicate an immediate health concern, but it can be hazardous to human health under certain conditions.  

The only way to know for sure if there is a danger is to have a mold assessment at the property.

Mold assessment is necessary for the following reasons:

  • Growth, staining, or suspect mold growth in the home
  • A home is for sale and pending building inspection 
  • Water damage is wet for longer than 72 hours 
  • Unusual odors 
  • More than 10 square feet of contiguous growth (mold that shares or touches a common border) is present

Mold is not only hazardous to human health, but it may also disrupt the integrity of a structure. Mold functions by breaking down organic material, potentially rotting an entire building. 

During all mold assessments, AMD Environmental’s professionals follow the guidelines and recommendations provided by the ACGIH Bioaerosols Assessment and Control, AIHA Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New York Guidelines for Assessment of Fungi in Indoor Environments.

Each of our mold inspectors is certified by the state of New York. The inspectors assess black mold, toxic mold, and indoor air quality to determine if hazards exist.

LEAD

 

Lead is a soft metal found in the ground or dust in the air. For years lead was used in pipes and plumbing and in consumer items such as toys and makeup. Lead-based paint was also used extensively as a surface coating until 1978, when the federal government banned it for consumer use.

Lead is a health concern when accumulations of toxic dust occur. If not identified, it can cause physical and mental damage to children and adults. The best way to determine if lead is a problem is to have a lead-risk assessment or lead paint inspection on a property. Surfaces only need to be inspected once for our professionals to draft a cost-effective way to eliminate or control issues. 

AMD Environmental specializes in testing techniques to identify all lead-based surface coatings in a home. Our professionals have guided numerous home buyers and commercial property owners through the process to help them make informed decisions in the most cost-effective way possible. 

ASBESTOS

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the earth. Asbestos is a unique type of rock in that it does not break apart into pebbles; it breaks down into fibers. The fibers make asbestos valuable for building materials due to their strength; however, they are also dangerous to human health. The fibers are fine and cut into the lungs when inhaled, leaving scars. 

Asbestos becomes a problem when it is airborne and breathed in. Long-time exposure to asbestos can cause Mesothelioma, a soft tissue cancer that lines the chest wall, abdomen, and lungs. Even a small project can cause big problems if asbestos is disturbed. 

New York State law requires asbestos inspection in advance of renovations. A laboratory analysis will determine if asbestos is present in the building and which materials contain asbestos. 

A common misconception about asbestos is that it is banned from use in building materials and other consumer products like talc powder or face painting makeup. Despite how harmful asbestos is to human health, it is permissible to use it. The potential threat of lawsuits in America deters manufacturers from using this dangerous material, but this isn’t the case in other countries. 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

A broad range of substances and building materials can be hazardous to human health and the environment. Some common hazardous materials encountered at facilities include asbestos, lead (painted surfaces, batteries, etc.), mercury (thermostats, fluorescent light tubes, etc.), PCBs, mold growth, ozone-depleting substances, and various chemical products. These materials can become a concern to workers and building occupants if they are disturbed or not managed appropriately.

Employers have a legal obligation to protect their workers from exposure to hazardous materials. Governing regulations dictate the appropriate removal and disposal of hazardous waste materials. Costly delays can occur if the materials are not identified early and managed appropriately.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (also referred to as domestic hazardous waste or home-generated unique materials) is waste generated from residential households. HHW only applies to waste from materials labeled and sold for “home use.” Wastes generated by a company or in an industrial setting are not HHW.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists household hazardous waste. 

The items include: 

  • motor oil
  • automobile batteries
  • paints and solvents
  • household cleaners
  • drain openers
  • pesticides
  • compressed gas tanks (such as propane and oxygen)

AMD Environmental provides solutions to hazardous materials issues. Our certified professionals advise abatement specifications for residential and commercial structures. 

Finding solutions to environmental problems can be overwhelming for homeowners and building owners who want to stay safe and comply with regulations. AMD Environmental has answers. Contact us to learn how we can start solving your environmental problems.