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Unidentified chemical drums discovered during a home inspection might indicate an environmental site contamination hazard. Building Environment Test, Diagnosis, Improvement

Home Page & Index to Topics

This page provides our alphabetical index to InspectApedia articles on building environmental hazards. Here we index our articles on indoor and building related environmental hazard inspection, detection, remediation such as:

These articles explain building indoor environmental hazard inspection, detection, and remediation procedures giving advice from unbiased experts.

Example topics include explanation, testing and remedy procedures for building hazards from: asbestos, mold, indoor air quality (IAQ), toxic gases, fiberglass, sewage backups, bacterial hazards, lead, radon, urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), noise pollution, oil spills, odors & smells, ozone, other potential building indoor contaminants.

The author has operated a laboratory specializing in forensic microscopy, worked as a building & environmental inspector since the 1970s, was member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and is a member of ASHRAE, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Environmental Hazard Testing, Effects, Remedies, Prevention Articles

Ceramic glaze fragments art school (C) Daniel Friedman

This page provides an index to key articles about the building indoor environment: hazards, troubleshooting, or contaminant identification, risk assessment, and remediation.

As you'll see, hazards in buildings are not limited to the latest worry popularized by the media, such as "black toxic mold".

To find what you need quickly, if you don't want to scroll through this index you are welcome to use the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX to search InspectApedia for specific articles and information.

To make the indoor environment as safe as we can, it's important to identify and address environmental hazards based on an informed risk assessment.

Shown here is our forensic lab microscope photograph of particles in a dust sample collected in a pottery studio. Some of these dust particles are highly toxic while others are harmful because of their very small size.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Even reading about mold hazards here, you'll learn that other indoor molds are far more likely to be a health hazard than the infamous Stachybotrys chartarum seen as ugly black mold on drywall.

You will also find our master index to building environmental topics at the MORE READING links at the bottom of this article or scroll down through the descriptive list of building-related environmental topics discussed at InspectApedia.

The photo at page top shows steel chemical drums that we discovered on a residential property during a home inspection.

Not only did these steel drums raise a question of possible environmental contamination of this site, even worse, they were uphill and close to a stream, raising a still broader question of area contamination.

See the detailed list of article links listed at the ARTICLE INDEX the bottom of this article for our full list of environmental topics.

Examples of Environmental Contaminant & Hazard Topics Discussed at InspectApedia.com

Asbestos in floor tiles © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com

Air conditioner duct contamination © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com Fiberglass © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com

U.S. EPA's Top 10 Toxic Threats

In October 2017 the New York Times, in an article about the chemical industry's role in shaping US EPA policy, cited the U.S. E.P.A.'s Top 10 Toxic Threats and included notes on the chemical industry's "pushback".

Below we list those top ten toxic threats. However it is essential that any contamination concern regarding a specific property needs to take a different approach, examining the site's history, occupancy, and uses as well as making the most basic tests such as of drinking water.

Don't let fear of these items so capture your attention that you fail to attend to more immediate life safety threats such as fire hazards, stair, trip and fall hazards, and driving hazards. Based on accident reporting statistics, more people are injured in automobile accidents, falling down stairs, or by drugs or firearms than by chemicals in the home. However the following chemicals and materials can still be dangerous.

  1. Asbestos - not produced in the U.S. since 2002 but still used in some products and processes. Associated with lung cancer, mesothelioma.
  2. 1-Bromopropane - used as a refrigerant, lubricant, solvent in spray adhesives, degreaser, agricultural applications, manufacturing of foam cushions.

    Associated with dizziness, headaches, slurred speech, confusion, muscle twitching, difficulty walking and loss of consciousness, possibly associated with reduced blood cell counts, toxicity to the liver, reproductive and nervous systems.
  3. Carbon Tetrachloride - used in drycleaning, has been used in refrigeration, aerosol propellants, pesticides, degreasing agents.

    Most uses are currently banned in the U.S. but it remains in use in some industrial applications. Effects: liver damage, kidney damage, and at high levels, brain and CNS damage, possibly fatal.
  4. 1,4 Dioxane - used in industrial applications in the production of adhesives and sealants, paint strippers, greases, varnishes, waxes, antifreeze, deodorants, even some shampoos and cosmetics.

    Likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Found in some drinking water supplies (at low levels [sic])
  5. Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster - chemicals used in flame retardants, plastic additives, some polystyrene foams used as insulation. Potential reproductive, developmental and neurological effects.
  6. Methylene Chloride - used in the pharmaceutical industry and in polyurethane foam production, also paint strippers, metal cleaners, adhesives, solvents used in aerosols.

    Affects the central nervous system, dizziness, incapacity, can be fatal; liver damage, lung cancer, associated with known deaths.

    Note: in May 2018, the U.S. EPA announced that it would proceed with its ban on methylene chloride used in paint stripping. Under the proposed rule, use of methylene chloride will still be permitted in commercial furniture refinishing where companies can more reliably control its use and protect workers.

    Watch out: In residential use or DIY projects, using a methylene chloride based paint stripper can be fatal. - Lipton, Eric, "Lowe's Says It Will Phase Out Paint Strippers Blamed in Dozens of Deaths", The New York Times, 2018/05/31, p. B1.
  7. N-Methylpyroolidone - solvent used in the petrochemical industry, and in production of plastics, paints, inks, enamels, some cleaning products, some arts and crafts materials.

    Of particular risk to pregnant women (based on animal studies) suggesting delayed fetal development.
  8. Perchloroethylene or "perc" - drycleaning solvent, also used in automotive care products, lubricants, greases, adhesives, sealants, paints.

    High-level inhalation can cause kidney damage, liver damage, unconsciousness, likely to be carcinogenic to humans, associated with bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma. Found as a contaminant in some drinking water.
  9. Pigment Violet 29 - used in watercolors, acrylic paints, automotive paints, printing & packaging inks, cleaning and washing agents, solar cells, paper, sporting goods, industrial carpeting, and has been approved to be used in food packaging.

    Health studies have been limited, preliminary studies suggest "acute toxicity, some eye and skin irritations, possible reproductive and developmental harmful effects
  10. Trichloroethylene, TCE - used to produce refrigerant, as a degreaser, and in some drycleaning applications.

    Associated with cancers of the liver, kidneys, blood, birth defects, testicular cancer, leukemia, lymphomas, lung tumors, this chemical appears as a contaminant in some drinking water.

- Source: Lipton, Eric, "Chemical Industry Insider Now Shapes Policy at E.P.A. - sidebar "The E.P.A.'s Top 10 Toxic Threats, and Industry's Pushback", The New York Times, 2017/10/22 pp. 24, 25

See PESTICIDE EXPOSURE HAZARDS

 

In these articles, we give inspection, testing, and cleanup as well as prevention advice for: Allergens indoor, Animal dander, Asbestos, Carpet dust, Cell Phones, Carbon Monoxide, Disinfectants, Drinking Water, EMF, Electromagnetic Fields, Electrical Hazards, Exteriors of buildings, Fragrances, Fiberglass particles and Fiberglass Insulation, Fiberglass mold contamination, Formaldehyde, Toxic Gases, Hazmat maps, Indoor Air Quality Testing & Improvement, Lead paint, lead in water, MCS, multiple chemical sensitivity, Mold inspection, testing, cleanup, prevention, MVOCs, Odors, Oil Tanks buried/above ground, Pet illness, Rodents mice urine fecals dust, Septic Systems, Sewage spills sewage contamination, Smells & Odors, odor source detection, sewage and septic odors, UFFI or Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation, Water contamination testing and correction.

Allergies, Allergens, Allergy Testing in Buildings - References & Products

Gases: Toxic gases, indoor exposure levels, testing, identification

Paint & Fiber Forensic Analysis, Diagnosis, Conservation

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

How to detect high levels of creosote in water

Are there residential water tests that detect high levels of creosote? Google search coming with nothing. - On 2020-10-19 by Anonymous -

Reply by (mod)

Our CDC sources on creosote cited at the CREOSOTE HAZARDS article to which I referred you state a related observation:

There is no medical test to determine if you have been exposed to creosote. Some components of creosote mixtures can be measured in body tissues, urine, or blood after exposure to creosote. These tests cannot tell whether harmful health effects will occur. The tests are not routinely available at the doctor’s office because they require special equipment.

so you'd figure that your local water test lab can tell you what components (for example coal tar) that might serve as a telltale can be tested in well water.

 

Safety of using old railroad ties at my home?

Hello, my question pertains use of old railroad ties on residence. Just moved into house recently I noticed a small retaining wall which appears to be built from what looks like all railroad ties. I have attached an image for review. This wall is approximately 20 feet from where the well is

And I’m wondering if there is any need for concern in the event that these were treated with creosote at one time. Thank you - On 2020-10-11 by Chris -

Reply by (mod) - do I need to be concerned about creosote treated railroad ties around my house?

If the wooden ties are indeed real railroad ties they'd have been treated with creosote.

See details and some example photos of creosote-treated railroad ties at CREOSOTE HAZARDS - topic home - where we have moved this discussion. I appreciate the discussion and welcome any comments, questions, or critique.

On 2020-06-04 by Ed Nodland - can I use your environmental hazard images at my website?

Are you the owner of the attached image. It shows inspect-ny.com as the owner. That URL goes to inspectapedia.com I would like to use the image as a thumbnail on a

Hazardous Materials Field Inspection Assessment application on our website.

Unidentified chemical drums discovered during a home inspection might indicate an environmental site contamination hazard.

On 2020-06-04 by - by (mod) - please do not re-publish our images online

Ed

Thank you for asking.

Yes we own the image, as you can see by our copyright notice (www.inspect-ny.com was a predecessor of InspectApedia.com)

Watch out: Sorry but we can not permit re-use of our images at other websites.

You can make PRINTED copies of InspectApedia.com articles and images for use only in print form, provided the use is not in promotion of sale of any product or service, but in that case as well, we ask that you send us email so that we can provide authorization for that use, thus avoiding a future misunderstanding.

If you use the page bottom CONTACT US link we can both provide our content use policy and also perhaps offer to find an image that we can let you use.

On 2019-07-25 by Anon - how do we address an asbestos hazard in our home?

If test for asbestos came back indicating presence of asbestos, what would be the best source of guidance related to how to address. I wouldn’t want to get the results and then not know how to address them. Thank you again, this has been very helpful.

On 2019-07-25 by (mod) - asbestos cleanup of a few asbestos particles

Anon:

IF there are one or two random asbestos particles that may already be an acceptable level of cleanliness.

But IF the dust test shows that asbestos is among the dominant particles, then additional cleaning of ALL surfaces in the affected areas would be in order; typically that's damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming of hard surfaces. Some soft surfaces might also be sufficiently cleaned by vacuuming.

Also see

ASBESTOS REMOVAL CERTIFICATIONS

ASBESTOS CLEANUP COMPANIES

On 2019-07-25 by Anonymous - tape sampling can indicate high levels of unusual materials in building dust

Thanks- ok I’m glad I asked. I read the info on tape sampling of dust. If I’m understand it, it sounds like this testing can indicate if prescience of certain types of previously airborne dust since the surface was last cleaned.

I initially thought I needed to make sure that the dust had to be sampled from an area that had not been dusted since the possible release of fibers (in this case 7 years ago). However, after reading more, it seems that the tape test would indicate if meaningful amounts of airborne fibers have been present since surface last cleaned.

For example, If surface was sampled based on 6 month old dust and results “negative” could that be taken to be a reasonable assessment of ongoing health risk from that dust although the removal of a portion of that flooring was further in the past? I know I’m asking a lot of questions but just want to make sure that I know as much as possible before moving forward.

Also, in this case, if the results indicated meaningful amounts of asbestos dust, appropriate action would take place on my part. After any cleanup is completed, would info pertaining to the presence of asbestos need to be communicated to a future buyer of the house? Was wondering about that given that i would not be sampling the old flooring directly ( and is now encapsulated in cement). Thank you

On 2019-07-25 by (mod) - disclose previous enviro-scare topics like an Asbestos cleanup to a future home buyer?

Anon:

About disclosure to a future buyer that you've cleaned and / or covered asbestos suspect flooring: Asbestos and other environmental topics can have a disproportionate scare effect on some home buyers - read

ENVIRO-SCARE - PUBLIC FEAR CYCLES

In my OPINION it's better to disclose and reassure a buyer about topics that may be frightening, including details of what the concern was, what was done about it, and what tests or inspections have been performed to close the issue; a buyer ought to rely on their own independent inspections and tests, both to protect everyone from a future dispute, and to avoid the slightest worry on the buyer's part that you're asking them to rely on data from a biased party with a conflict of interest.

If an asbestos cleanup has been properly performed and is documented and supported by independent inspections and tests by a qualified expert who has no conflict of interest with the transaction of selling a property, that ought ought to close the question.

But as you'll read in the article above, the level of public fear never falls to zero.

Your attorney will advise you on legal obligations to disclose to a buyer things about your home.

OPINION: In my experience (nearly 50 years around construction and real estate and home sales), if we exclude the fringe of people who panic irrationally no matter what and who cannot be put at ease, full disclosure ought to build confidence whereas "discovery" by a buyer that a seller seems to be or was previously hiding something is harmful to everyone.


On 2019-07-25 by Anonymous - does a HEPA vacuum cleaner filter do enough if put into any vacuum cleaner? Leaky?

Thank you again for your input. I just bought a new vacuum and replaced the filter with a the manufacturers Hepa filter. Are there Hepa vacuums per se, or does having a Hepa filter in regular vacuum mean a vacuum is Hepa?
Also, while my vacuum is new with new Hepa filter, I’m not sure how to tell if it’s leaky.

Regarding my comment, I’m not sure the my new vacuum is a fully sealed system in spite of fact that a the company offers a Hepa filter. I just read on the company (Miele) website that only the more expensive models have rubber gaskets, etc. Is that what you meant by leaky, not having rubber gaskets?

That’s frustrating because it’s a good name vacuum and not cheap.
If this vacuum is not a good option for my situation, I’m wondering if wet wiping of areas not normally cleaned would be an option. If so, how could I do this most effectively? Thanks again

On 2019-07-25 by (mod) - I’m not sure the my new vacuum is a fully sealed system

Miele is a brand that, when tested long ago by our friend Jeff May in Cambridge MA was found least leaky. However we don't know what models Jeff tested nor what are the properties of all of the HEPA vacuum cleaners in Miele's current product line.

On 2019-07-25 by Anonymous

Thank you- on the Miele website they say that all Miele vacuums have what they called a “sealed system” for dust- all models except the C1 classic canister vacuum which is what I bought, so I’m not sure how to proceed. If you suspect that the model vacuum that I have would work well for this situation, I’ll go for it. Thank you again.

On 2019-07-25 by (mod) - Miele HEPA vacuum models mostly are sealed units

Miele is telling you that for ultra small particles such as fine asbestos fragments the C1 model is not sealed and so is not the best choice. Using a vacuum that leaks output air into the area where it is being used risks creating a higher level of airborne particulates.

 



 



On 2019-07-24 by Anonymous - possible release of asbestos fibers due to flooring removal.

My question relates to a possible release of asbestos fibers due to flooring removal. Just recently learned that 70’s vinyl sheet flooring can contain asbestos. Roughly 7 or 8 years ago, i attempted to remove the vinyl sheet flooring and the backing of it pretty aggressively.

Because of the difficulty I had doing this, I used a self- leveling cement that encapsulated all of the old flooring and tiled over that. If the flooring I attempted to remove had asbestos in it and if fibers were released, would there be any reason to think that any fibers remain in the house?

We keep a neat clean house and by chance bought a vacuum with Hepa filter about a yr ago. Im guessing that any fibers created at that time are long gone now but was curious if I should vacuum the textured paint ceiling or anything with the walls. Thank you

On 2019-07-24 by (mod) - Dust and fibers that are inorganic, such as asbestos (a mineral) don't disappear over time.

Anon

You ask an excellent question: might my house still be contaminated by prior removal of asbestos-suspect vinyl flooring.

You'll understand that nobody with any sense would pretend to answer that by e-text.

Dust and fibers that are inorganic, such as asbestos (a mineral) don't exactly disappear over time.

A reasonable procedure for you to try is to take one or two representative samples of settled dust from a surface that's likely to contain dust that has settled out of your home's air in the past. Select surfaces not recently cleaned, such as the top of horizontal trim over a doorway.

Send the tape samples to a forensic lab to have the dust screened for meaningful levels of asbestos or other obviously hazardous particles.

Search InspectApedia.com for TAPE & BULK SAMPLING & TESTS for MOLD to find our how-to article.

If the lab reports asbestos contamination in your samples then additional cleaning such as HEPA vacuuming may be in order.

On 2019-07-24 by Anonymous

Thanks for your reply. If I chose to not have the testing done and presumed that asbestos fiber had been airborne at that time, would hepa vacuuming suffice of areas not normally cleaned?

Also would me vacuuming my walls and ceiling be going overboard? I realize that it is hard to know from a e-text but appreciate whatever info you have. Thanks again

On 2019-07-24 by (mod) - tests of settled dust may be more representative than an air test for asbestos

I can't know what's needed by way of cleanup, Anon; as we don't know the conditions in the home.

Air tests make little sense in my opinion; not for this case. There is just too much variation - 4 or more orders of magnitude - depending on how the test is conducted. We're looking for evidence that asbestos-laden dust has settled in various areas of the building. Air testing might miss that condition.

Vacuuming using a HEPA vacuum that is not itself leaking should reduce the level of any dust particles of any composition. Vacuuming with a leaky vacuum or non-HEPA only makes dust airborne more than ever.

 

On 2015-10-16 by Gloria Aszmies - bad smell when gas furnace comes on

When the forced air gas furnace comes on, odors come into our apartment with the warm air and make me sick because of my chemical sensitivity. The landlord says nothing is wrong with the furnace because other tenants have no problem but he won't call a heating technician to see what is causing my difficulty.

We are in the basement of a triplex and have had mold issues in August's humid weather. Do you know what might be the solution to this dilemma?

On 2015-11-17 - by (mod) -

Gloria

If the landlord does not agree that there is a heating system issue you can at least

1. Watch out: be sure that you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors: if there is flue gas spillage from the heating system at dangerous levels the CO detector may sound.

2. hire an independent investigator or pay for a service call and heating system safety inspection

3. consult with your doctor

On 2014-12-03 by Anonymous - 7 years of raw sewage going under wet room floor

7 years of raw sewage going under wet room floor should it have been tested for bacteria and sanatised

On 2014-12-04 - by (mod) -

Anon I think I would clean, then sanitize, then test to be sure the treatment was adequate.


...

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

  • [1] U.S. Army Field Manual FM-8-285-Noxious_Chemicals discusses Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Hazards caused by fire
  • [2] Gregory Brown, P.E., Eastern Environmental Engineering Services, Califon NJ, Tel: 908-832-5098, Email: gabrown48@comcast.net Mr. Brown, a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, provides environmental / compliance, investigation, and remediation services and is the contributor of

    ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, New Jersey     - Update on New Jersey Environmental Regulations that impact real estate transactions.
  • [3] "Arts and Crafts, an Industrial Hygiene Challenge", Monona Rossol, The Synergist, May 2012, pp. 34-37American Industrial Hygiene Association.
  • [4] Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 2d Ed., Bruce Anderson (Editor) eta als, Academic Press, ISBN-10: 0127453547, ISBN-13: 978-0127453552 - Quoting:

    The second edition of the Encyclopedia of Toxicology continues its comprehensive survey of toxicology. This new edition continues to present entries devoted to key concepts and specific chemicals. There has been an increase in entries devoted to international organizations and well-known toxic-related incidents such as Love Canal and Chernobyl. Along with the traditional scientifically based entries, new articles focus on the societal implications of toxicological knowledge including environmental crimes, chemical and biological warfare in ancient times, and a history of the U.S. environmental movement.

    With more than 1150 entries, this second edition has been expanded in length, breadth and depth, and provides an extensive overview of the many facets of toxicology.
    Also available online via ScienceDirect - featuring extensive browsing, searching, and internal cross-referencing between articles in the work, plus dynamic linking to journal articles and abstract databases, making navigation flexible and easy. For more information, pricing options and availability visit www.info.sciencedirect.com.
  • [5] Encyclopedia of Toxicology, Chemicals & Concepts, Philip Wexler (Editor), Academic Press, 1998, ISBN-10: 012227220X, ISBN-13: 978-0122272202 - Quoting:

    The Encyclopedia of Toxicology provides a comprehensive collection of concise and readable explanations of basic principles in toxicology and the potential hazards of chemicals. Written by highly qualified contributors and containing a broad selection of topics, the Encyclopedia of Toxicology is of value to both toxicologists and non-toxicologists, including physicians, attorneys, regulators, safety managers, and environmental engineers-anyone whose work involves the health and safety issues of common and uncommon substances. The Encyclopedia of Toxicology plays a critical role at the intermediate level by offering more detail than a dictionary while remaining accessible to the generalist in risk assessment, regulation, and consulting.

    The Encyclopedia includes entries related to research and clinical toxicology, risk assessment, ecotoxicology, epidemiology, radiation, noise, information resources, organizations, and education. With more than 750 entries, extensive cross-references, a detailed index, and numerousreferences to primary and secondary literature, the Encyclopedia will be an indispensable resource.
  • [6] Encyclopedia of Clinical Toxicology: A Comprehensive Guide to the Toxicology of Prescription and OTC Drugs, Chemicals, Herbals, Plants, Fungi, Marine ... Clothing and Environmental Toxins, Irving S. Rossoff, Informa Healthcare, 2001, ISBN-10: 1842141015, ISBN-13: 978-1842141014 - Quoting:

    An encyclopedic guide to the physical properties and symptomatology, this book describes adverse effects and interactions often not reported by manufacturers and not published in PDRs and the other standard compendia. It is compactly written and easy to read, designed for quick reference and retrieval of vital information about the effects, interactions, and lethal doses of thousands of toxic substances that can destroy health, seriously endanger health, or cause death, and that are in many cases documented nowhere else. An exceptionally complete word index of some 100 pages helps readers locate any topic by reference to substance headings, which are organized A-Z in the text.
  • [7] Arts, Crafts, & Theater Safety (ACTS), 181 Thompson Street, #23 New York, NY 10012-2586 Telephone: (212) 777-0062 E-Mail: ACTSNYC@cs.com, web search 5/9/12, website: http://www.artscraftstheatersafety.org/ - Quoting:

    ACTS is a not-for-profit corporation that provides health, safety, industrial hygiene, technical services, and safety publications to the arts, crafts, museums, and theater communities. A part of the fees from our consulting services goes to support our free and low-cost services for artists. We gratefully accept donations, but do not solicit them from the artists who call here for help and advice.

    We recognize that artists and performers are among the least affluent groups in society. ACTS also will not accept money or take advertising in our publications from manufacturers of artists materials or businesses whose interests could conflict with ours. We want artists to know that we have no financial incentive to make our product and safety recommendations.
  • [8] The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide, Monona Rossol, Allworth Press, 2001, ISBN-10: 1581152043 ISBN-13: 978-1581152043 - Quoting:

    Dozens of at-a-glance tables and charts present vital information about art materials, ingredients, technical hazards, proper protective equipment, and safe work practices simply and accurately. This brand-new third edition is now completely revised and expanded to detail lifesaving new safety and ventilation equipment, present urgent new discoveries on toxins and pollutants found in arts and crafts materials, and explain the controversies surrounding new government regulations. A virtual lifesaver for all art and craft workers.
  • [9] The Health & Safety Guide for Film, TV & Theater, Monona Rossol, Allworth Press, 2000, ISBN-10: 1581150717 ISBN-13: 978-1581150711 - Quoting:

    Definitely a necessity for anyone involved in professional or amateur entertainment, this handbook is the only resource to offer all vital information about health and safety issues affecting the performing arts. Covered are topics relevant to every type of performance venue: stage, film, television, theme parks, circuses, parades, fireworks displays, and beyond. The author outlines safeguards against hazardous materials such a theatrical paints, certain makeup, pigments, and solvents, and recommends protective measures for woodworking, welding, using fog and other special effects. Safety checklists, agencies to contact for help, and other important tips are included.
  • [15] Cultural Heritage and Aerobiology [book review] Mandrioli, Caneva, and Sabbioni (English version), in Pan American Aerobiology Association Newsletter.
    Cultural Heritage and Aerobiology, Methods and Measurement Techniques for Biodeterioration Monitoring, Paolo Mandrioli, Guilia Caneva, and Cristina Sabbioni, Eds., Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003 ISBN 1-4020-1622-0
  • [16] "Mold/IAQ investigation, The Art School at [privacy deletion]", Daniel Friedman, 7/22/2005 (private publication). A request for indoor mold contamination investigation at an art school found significant levels of ultra-fine dust traced to a large variety of stored artists materials including glazes & pigments, some of which may be hazardous, including high levels of asbestos, talc, lead, and heavy metals.
  • [17] BLOOD in ART WORKS, TESTING FOR, Daniel Friedman,
    This article describes and evaluates alternative forensic procedures that were used to test for the presence of blood in a red inscription inside of the lid of an antique wooden memento box that is attributed to the property of and is inscribed and signed "Frida Kahlo".
  • US EPA - Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building [ copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Mold_Remediation_in_Schools.pdf ] - US EPA
  • In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested

    CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.

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