Did you know?
What is the largest cause of costly fires in the US ?
Facts from the National Fire Protection Assoc.
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Heating Equipment accounts for 14.3%
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Internal household causes account for 11.4%
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Electrical distribution within your home accounts
for the largest amount of damage.
Home Lead Hazard Tips
Simple Steps to Protect Your Family From Lead Hazards
Check out the EPA site for additional information on Lead Paint.
If you think your home has high levels of lead:
1. Get your young children tested for lead, even if they seem healthy
2. Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often
3. Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods
4. Get your home checked for lead hazards
5. Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces
6. Wipe soil off shoes before entering house
7. Talk to your landlord about fixing surfaces with peeling or chipping paint
8. Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodeling or renovating
(call 1-800-424-LEAD for guidelines)
9. Don't use a belt-sander, propane torch, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that
may contain lead
10. Don't try to remove lead-based paint
Sellers Rights and Responsibilities:
Your Rights and Responsibilities Under the new title X Federal Regulations sellers and lessors of pre-1978 residential dwellings must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint to prospective buyers or tenants. Purchasers are entitled to a 10-day period to conduct a lead-based paint inspection at their own expense.
Do I Need a Lead-Based Paint Inspection/Risk Assessment?
There are two primary reasons for considering a lead inspection/risk assessment:
1. Children under the age of 6 are considered to be at the greatest risk of lead poisoning. Ingesting even small amounts of lead-based paint or dust can cause serious health effects.
2. The market value and marketability of your home may be adversely affected by the presence of lead-based paint. Testing prior to purchase will enable you to invest wisely and take the steps necessary to enhance the resale value of your property.
Why is Lead Dangerous?
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
1. Damage to the brain and nervous system
2. Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
3. Slowed growth
4. Hearing problems
5. Headaches
People Can Get Lead in their Bodies if They:
1. Put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths
2. Eat paint chips or soil that contain lead
3. Breathe in lead dust (especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces)
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them. Children's growing bodies absorb more lead. Children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Asbestos in the Home
- What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals. These minerals were added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance. For more information on what asbestos is refer to the following.
- The Environmental Protection Agency
Asbestos
in Your Home Web site.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
site
Asbestos OSHA Technical Link Page. This page lists contains many other links on asbestos.
- The Environmental Protection Agency
Asbestos
in Your Home Web site.
- Where could asbestos-containing materials be
located in my home?
Asbestos-containing materials can be found in many different locations throughout the home.
- How do I know if I have asbestos-containing
materials in my home?
Unless the insulation is labeled as asbestos you can not tell if it is asbestos-containing. To determine the presence of asbestos Ohio law and rules require that persons certified as Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialists be used to identify, detect and assess asbestos-containing materials. This list is also available free of charge by contacting Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program (614) 466-0061. If you decide to sample the suspected asbestos-containing material yourself, there are certain precautions that should be taken. The sample should be taken to an NVLAP Accredited Laboratory for Asbestos Bulk Analysis. These lists are also available through the Department.
- I think I have vermiculite insulation in my
home, what should I do?
If you suspect vermiculite insulation is in your home, the safest thing is to leave the material alone. If you decide to remove or must otherwise disturb the material due to a renovation project, the Ohio Department of Health recommends that you first contact an Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist to determine if the insulation is asbestos containing. If the insulation is determined to be asbestos containing then contact a licensed Asbestos Hazard Abatement Contractor in your area. For further information on vermiculite insulation please refer to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- If I have asbestos in my home, what should I
do?
Even if you have asbestos in your home, this is usually NOT a serious problem. The mere presence of asbestos in a home or building is not a hazard. Asbestos materials may become a hazard when damaged by others (heating & cooling contractors, plumbers, home improvement contractors or even the homeowner themselves) or when they begin to deteriorate. Please refer to the Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos in Your Home Web site.
- Where can I get a sample analyzed to determine
if I have asbestos?
To determine the presence Ohio law and rules require that persons certified as Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialists to be used to identify, detect and assess asbestos-containing materials. A list may also be requested by contacting Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program (614) 466-0061. If you decide to sample the suspected asbestos-containing material yourself, there are certain precautions that should be taken. The sample should be taken to an NVLAP Accredited Laboratory for Asbestos Bulk Analysis.
- Do I have to remove asbestos from my home if I
know that I have it?
Generally, asbestos-containing materials do not have to be removed from residential property. In fact, asbestos-containing materials do not have to be removed from any residential structures unless they will be disturbed during renovations or demolition activities. As long as the asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and will not be disturbed; they do not pose a significant health risk.
- Can I remove the asbestos from my home?
The Department recommends that a licensed Asbestos Hazard Abatement Contractor perform asbestos removal activities. A list may also be requested by contacting Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program (614) 466-0061 or by searching your local yellow pages.
- Where can I dispose of my asbestos-containing
materials?
Generally, asbestos-containing waste should be taken to a landfill that accepts asbestos waste. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency maintains this list and it can be found at this link List of Landfills that Accept Asbestos. Before you take asbestos to a landfill you should call that landfill to find out if they can accept asbestos waste.
- Who can I call to find out more information?
Contact us, The Ohio Department of Health Asbestos Program at (614) 466-0061 or e-mail us at ASBESTOS@odh.ohio.gov and we will be able to assist you.