Is California’s Drought Affecting Bay Area Water Quality?
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Is California’s Drought Affecting Bay Area Water Quality? Throughout 2015, Bay Area water quality has been getting worse in some areas. Along with the numerous other issues associated with the California drought, low water levels in our reservoirs and aquifers may be causing a noticeable decline in the quality and safety of our tap water.
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
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Stealth Meters
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
“Stealth” Power Meters: Analog Meters with Hidden Transmitters A client recently shared their experiences regarding a stealth power meter that had been installed on their home. The following has been anonymized: We had opted out of the Smart Meter program about a year ago. The electric company had come out and swapped in an analog
- Published in Environmental Testing, Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
How Effective is Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan? For obvious reasons, bathrooms can be major sources of moisture in homes. And where there is moisture, there is the possibility of growing mold. A bathroom exhaust fan is essential in removing excess moisture and keeping bathrooms ventilated, but how do we know if our exhaust fans are
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
Spring – The Perfect Season for an Environmental Building Inspection
Wednesday, 06 May 2015
Spring – The Perfect Season for an Environmental Building Inspection Since relocating to the Bay Area, I have to say that I miss the full four seasons of Oregon. I don’t really miss the hard deep freeze of winters, nor the asphalt-bubbling heat waves of late July, but I do miss watching the ground awaken
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
Natural Ventilation of Buildings and Spaces
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Natural Ventilation of Buildings and Spaces Many times when clients desire a “green” space or building that connects its occupants to the outdoors, they envision incorporating lots of day lighting and natural ventilation in the architectural design. Certainly, there can be many benefits to be had including lower energy bills, a connection to the outdoors,
New Home Purchase? Magnetic Field Guidelines
Friday, 27 March 2015
Magnetic Field Guidelines for the New Home EMF is a broad umbrella term encompassing many aspects of electromagnetic issues that can affect human health. Subcatagories of EMF issues include RF Radiation (also known as ElectroMagnetic Radiation [EMR]), Interior/Exterior Magnetic Fields, Interior/ Exterior Electric Fields, Transient Voltage Fluctuations (also known as Dirty Electricity or ElectroMagnetic Interference
- Published in Environmental Testing, Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
Materials Air Quality Testing
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Materials Air Quality Testing Since news broke that Lumber Liquidators distributed composite wood flooring in California that did not meet California Air Resource Board (CARB) formaldehyde emission standards, we’ve been getting lots of questions about materials air quality testing. Some folks are interested in joining the class action law suit, some distributors and installation companies
EMF Equipment
Friday, 16 January 2015
EMF Equipment Recommendations for Non-professionals Concerned that you might have an EMF related issue at your home or office but not ready to hire a professional to come out and perform an investigation? Interested in the subject of EMF related issues and EMF equipment, but do not have thousands of dollars handy to buy the
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, Is Mold Growing While I’m Snoring?
Friday, 12 December 2014
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, Is Mold Growing While I’m Snoring? Drought stricken California is getting some significant rain for the first time in over a year. As of today Oakland, California has received 3.22 inches of rain so far THIS MONTH, and 7.31 inches this season. If this continues, California’s drought woes should
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing
EMF Health Concerns & General Recommendations for Saunas
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
EMF Health Concerns & General Recommendations for Saunas Historically, steam saunas seem to have been invented and most thoroughly studied by the Finnish. Traditional steam saunas used coals, heated rock and steam to deliver the intense heat required, though nowadays the coals have been replaced by wood stoves, electric heaters, or carbon/ceramic heating elements.
- Published in Healthy Building Inspections & Testing