Independent Environmental Consulting
A family-owned Southern California based Environmental Consulting service specializing in Hazardous Waste identification and Restoration management
Asbestos Testing
Asbestos was once a widely used construction material additive that has since been mostly phased out by the industry. It includes a range of asbestos types, all originating from the serpentine rock, mined all over the world. When broken down into a fibrous form, the fibers contain a variety of physical properties that enhance the insulative quality of the material, and increase the strength, durability, elasticity, and longevity of the material it’s added to. Today, it is most commonly found in older homes and structures. When a building material with asbestos is in good condition, it usually poses little risk, as the asbestos fibers are bound within the matrix of the material. However, when asbestos materials become disturbed or damaged, it can pose a significant health risk when it becomes airborne and is inhaled. When inhaled, the mineral’s fibers accumulate in the lungs and can cause scaring, which can lead to a range of diseases including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Suspected asbestos-containing materials should always be surveyed prior to renovation and demolition projects and it’s important to know if a material contains asbestos prior to it’s disposal. IEC offers a variety of asbestos testing, project design and management services tailored to your specific project needs. IEC does not provide asbestos removal, transport or disposal services, but we’d be happy to share with you our abatement industry favs.
Lead Testing
Lead was once a widely used paint and ceramic glaze additive that, like asbestos, has since been mostly phased out of residential and retail construction. When added to paint and ceramic glaze, lead enhances the durability, brightness and longevity of the paint or glaze. It is most commonly found in homes prior to 1978, and used in industrial settings into much more recent years. Often, lead is found in ceramic tile glaze, and in the painted “friction-surfaces” of a home, such as the windows, doors and exterior trim. In industrial settings, lead is often found in painted parking blocks, bollards and guard rails as well as other industrial applications.
When a paint or glaze with lead is in good condition, it usually poses little risk. However, when lead paint becomes deteriorated or damaged, it can cause lead poisoning in the blood if ingested. The most vulnerable to lead exposure are young children living in pre-1978 homes, as they can be exposed to lead dust that originates from windows and doors. Those working in industrial settings can be vulnerable, as can those who fish or shoot firearms, as the weights and bullets often contain lead. Painted and glazed buildings materials should always be surveyed prior to renovation and demolition projects, as should construction waste prior to disposal. IEC provides a variety of lead testing services tailored to your specific needs. IEC does not provide lead removal or disposal services, but we can help you find certified companies that do.
Mold Testing
Mold is part of our natural environment, it’s in the air we breath and it’s also in the foods we eat (think cheese). It’s often thought of like a plant, in that, it grows in plant-like structures, and has spores which release from the growth structure and float around in the air, looking for another place to land, and eventually grow again. Mold grows when it has a preferable combination of air, water and food. Temperature also plays a key role in those preferable growth environments. There are 100,000 different known species of mold and the area you live in dictates which are found most commonly in the environment.
Exposure to mold is normal on a day to day basis for most people, although some, just like allergies, can be more sensitive to mold, or even certain species of mold. Each species has it’s own characteristics and some can be more “allergenic” than others.
Mold should never be growing in an indoor environment, and when it does, that usually means that there is an excessive source of moisture, like high humidity, a water leak or a high-moisture area of the home. It’s common to find mold growth along windows, sinks and shower caulking, because these are high-moisture areas. These quantities of mold are not typically harmful and can usually be remedied with regular household maintenance, and with store-bought cleaners. When excessive amounts of mold grow in an indoor environment, the spores become more concentrated in the air and it can lead to over-exposure, and allergenic-type symptoms such as watery eyes, stuffy nose or even headaches. When excessive amounts of mold growth are found indoors, it’s important to identify and remedy the moisture source, and have the mold-affected materials removed or cleaned by professional mold-remediation contractors. IEC provides a variety of bespoke mold testing services. IEC does not provide mold removal services, but we can help you find someone that we’ve had good experiences with in the past.
Restoration Assessments & Bacteria Testing Surveys
Water and fire damage can be disastrous to your home or business. Fires, floods and even mudslides are often the most devastating projects we encounter. Water damage can be caused by roofs leaks, floods originating from indoors and outdoors, or drain back flows. Each has it’s own unique properties and each requires special considerations.
From a small water stain on the ceiling, to a fire or flash flood event, IEC provides an array of water damage assessments, combustibles testing and bacteria testing customized to get your restoration moving forward and suit your long term restoration goals.
Radon & Soils Testing
Radon is a radioactive gas that originates from the natural decay of Uranium in soil and rock. It can enter homes and structures by moving up through the soil and into the air. Radon can enter structures through cracks and other holes in the foundation. It often enters through basements because the air tends to be at lower pressure than the soil gases under the slab. Radon concentrations can build up in homes and exposure to radon can potentially cause lung cancer. Some areas of Southern California are more prone to radon based on their geological makeup. The Ca Department of Conservation has a Radon Potential Map of Southern California on their website if you’d like to see where on the map your home falls. IEC provides radon testing for residences and commercial facilities.
IEC also provides a variety of soil testing services that can be tailored to your specific goals. Heavy metals are what IEC most commonly tests for in soil and IEC also works with other consultants that specialize in chemicals and petroleum-based testing, often encountered near former gas stations, industrial facilities and dry cleaners.
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