Spring – The Perfect Season for an Environmental Building Inspection

Environmental Building Inspection
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
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Natural Ventilation of Buildings and Spaces

Clothes drying in the open air
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,
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Materials Air Quality Testing

CARB Formaldehyde Chamber Materials Air Quality Test
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
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Lumber Liquidators Formaldehyde Testing

Low Prices often equal Low Quality - You get what you pay for?
Lumber Liquidators Formaldehyde Testing Recent investigative journalism exposed a Lumber Liquidators formaldehyde content issue and revealed an unfortunate tale that may affect hundreds of thousands of homes across the US. During active federal investigations for suspicion of using illegally harvested lumber from Russia, it turns out one of the largest flooring distributors in the US
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It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, Is Mold Growing While I’m Snoring?

It's raining it's pouring
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
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Classes of Toxic Substances

classes of toxic substances
Classes of Toxic Substances There are many different ways to organize contaminants. We often rely on their physical form (e.g., liquid, vapor, solid, energetic, etc.), size (e.g., nano-particle, respirable, micro, etc.), or larger classifications (e.g., biological, mineral, etc.)  The Green Science Policy Institute coordinated a number of organizations (see below) to prioritize toxic chemicals and narrow it
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What is Asbestos?

Asbestos with muscovite
What is Asbestos? How Dangerous Is It and What Is It Doing In My House? These are all questions we’ve asked ourselves at one point or another.  We’ve all wondered WHY would something as potentially carcinogenic have been used with near abandon for so long? Why would this potential carcinogen be lurking our homes, our
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Buying a New Home? Get a Healthy Home Check

building a healthy home
Buying a New Home? There are so many details to pay attention to when you and your family are looking for a new home.  Is the neighborhood safe?  Are there good schools?  Is the house big enough? Have you ever thought to ask “Is this home (and neighborhood) going to be a healthy environment for
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Where Is Asbestos In The Home?

asbestos in the home
Where is Asbestos in the home?  Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate mineral, was once called the “miracle” fiber, because of its fire-resistant, thermal insulating, non-conductive, flexible, strong, and wear resistant properties. The ancient Greeks and Romans both used asbestos for tablecloths, napkins, towels, and linings for suits of armor. It is rumored that early Roman Emperors
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Chemical Hazards and the TSCA

TSCA Chemical Hazards
How safe are the man-made chemicals that surround us?   Chemical Hazards are a concern for everyone. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976 and is the country’s main chemical safety law. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for enforcing TSCA, but significant weaknesses in TSCA have left the EPA unable
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