Home Lead, Radon, & Asbestos: Chemical Exposure
Lead, Radon, & Asbestos; Chemical Exposure

This article is a compilation of frequently asked questions about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). As are all FAQs, this is an evolving FAQ section. This is particularly true in the field of indoor air quality, where there are few hard facts and many questions unanswered. Where it exists, this FAQ expresses the consensus of scientific opinion. Where it does not, it should be understood, these FAQs are an expression of the opinion of the author.

Author: Richard R. Byrd, Director of Indoor Air Quality Investigations, Machado Environmental Corp., Glendale, Calif. USA


  • What if I think I'm being exposed from (the chemical plant next door; the landfill on which my house was built; etc.)?

    Hire an expert to evaluate it.
     

  • How come you have not mentioned lead, radon, or asbestos?

    I'm not going to. These substances have some things in common: They all cause long-term effects, not minor effects; the effects are very serious (lung cancer and mental retardation, for example); they are all the subject of considerable government intervention; and they all require considerable expertise and special licensing to deal with competently ("do not try this at home").

    The one exception to this is home radon kits, which you can buy and use yourself to find out if you have a problem. They are widely available and easy to use. Otherwise, if you have a concern about one or more of these subjects, hire an expert.