Environmental Issues in Portland Oregon

Evidence from our past is often found along the routes of desert highways our fore fathers the american pioneers left abandoned in the sun. Not much was thought about discarding trash, personal belongings or anything else in those early days.

Today however as we see our planet, country, state and towns become ever increasingly smaller due to population increases, we see our selves in the role of stewards of our environment.

There are many different types of Mold and other potential contaminants in and around our homes. When and where moisture or water accumulates mold can and will occur. We are all exposed to many different forms of molds and mildews throughout our lives. The Key to controlling Mold growth is to control moisture.

Increasingly we see water quality as problematic and in need of quality testing and assurance to potability and human drinking standards. A basic water quality test will check pH, fluoride, sodium, E-coli and more.

Homes built before 1978 were commonly painted with lead based paints. Many of those built in the boom years of housing in the 1950's displaying the common pastel colors green, tan, white, etc. have been known to flake, crack, and peel causing serious concern for small children and adults alike.

One of the more common types of heating fuels in the greater Portland Oregon metropolitan area is Oil heat. It was quite common that heating oil tanks were buried in the ground. Often times leaking allowing heating oil to leach into the soil and down into the water table.

Radon is a radioactive gas and is a product of naturally decaying of uranium in soils. Most homes exhibit some presence of radon. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA can provide standards for liveability and or mitigation standards for eliminating the threat. Simple tests are available to determine what safety standards are right for you.

Many homes built around the turn of the century were sided over by Cement shingles containing asbestos. In fact many of the products used in homes 30 years or older contained asbestos. Heating and ventilation ducts were commonly wrapped with it, floor and ceiling tiles, and many others contained it. Caution should be used and a licensed professional contractor should be consulted when removing and or replacing these materials.

For environmental concerns of all types be sure to visit the EPA at there web site Here_at_EPA .