Dangers of Mold Exposure for Pets

The presence of mold in the home can create health problems for both human and animal members of the family. When experiencing unexplained symptoms, a mold inspection can determine whether exposure to fungi could be a potential cause of illness. Here are the most common signs that a pet has come in contact with mold and how this could impact its health.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure in Pets

Like humans, animals can experience respiratory distress associated with mold. Pet owners may notice their pets struggling to breathe or breathing more quickly than usual. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and nasal discharge are common. Dogs and cats may seem exhausted or depleted of energy. In severe cases, they may experience bleeding from the mouth or nose.

When an animal consumes mold, stool changes, vomiting, and loss of appetite typically result. Pet owners should also be aware of skin issues caused by mold allergies. This can result in chronic licking, chewing, and scratching that can cause painful sores and bald patches.

Health Impact of Mold for Dogs and Cats

Although these short-term symptoms are troublesome for animals and their humans alike, exposure is also linked to long-term health implications. Pets may experience:

• Digestive issues
• Damage to the gastrointestinal system
• Respiratory issues
• Organ damage
• Tremors, seizures, and other neurological effects

In addition, pets exposed to mold may develop a chronic fungal infection called aspergillosis. This condition causes loss of appetite, sneezing, nasal pain, swelling, and bleeding. Over time, bone inflammation, spinal problems, and weight loss may develop.

Help for Pet Mold Exposure

When an animal displays these symptoms, the owner should seek immediate veterinary care. However, if mold is the culprit, these health problems will not resolve until the property is cleared of these toxins.

The presence of visible mold is the most obvious sign that a home needs remediation. However, hidden mold spores can enter the air undetected, which is why a professional mold inspection is so critical when health problems arise.

Act quickly when loved ones, including pets, experience unexplained medical concerns. ASAP Environmental, Inc. provides comprehensive mold inspections for homeowners in the Dorchester area, and we also service rental properties. Complete our online form or call 800-349-7779 to schedule a visit from a certified inspector.

Lead Inspection: The Renter's Guide to Requirements

Before 1978, the majority of the paint used on the interior of homes and apartment buildings was lead-based. Although lead has been banned in the majority of household products for over 40 years, lead paint is still present in old residences. Exposure is especially harmful to children and pregnant women, as it can have serious effects on fetal and child development. As a result, strict Massachusetts lead inspection requirements are in place to protect tenants and help them learn how to keep themselves safe.

Massachusetts Law Regarding Lead in Rental Homes

According to MassLegalHelp.org, it’s a renter's right to have information regarding existing or possible lead-based substances on the property provided by the landlord. Even before moving into a rental property built before 1978, renters are entitled to the following:

• Any information about the potential for lead paint on the property
• Tenant Lead Law Notification forms (required by law to be signed by both parties)
• Tenant Certification form with the owner's disclosure of lead-based hazards (required by law to be signed by both parties)
• A copy of the most recent lead inspection (if available)
• Copy of compliance (if the property was deleaded)

Next Steps If Lead Hazard Is Suspected

If a renter notices peeling or loose paint chips, he or she should immediately notify the landlord of their concern in writing and ask for a lead inspection. If the landlord does not comply, tenants with children under age six should contact the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) to arrange a free inspection. Renters who do not qualify for a free inspection may instead hire a professional inspector to determine the presence of lead-based paint. If lead is found, the landlord is required by law to fix it.

Discrimination and Eviction Concerns

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health emphasizes that discrimination based on the presence of lead paint is illegal. If a renter is refused a lease or evicted from an apartment due to lead hazards on the property, particularly if they are pregnant or have young children, the CLPPP should be contacted immediately.

If a rental unit that you own or lease was built before 1978, ensure that lead-based paint isn't present to prevent a safety hazard. ASAP Environmental, Inc. has been providing residents throughout the Boston, MA area with professional lead inspections since 1993. Schedule your inspection today if you suspect that lead may be present in your home.

How Massachusetts' RRP Rule Affects Renovations

The Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule was established by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2010 to limit exposure to lead paint during home and business renovations. The same year, Massachusetts received approval to administer its own lead-safe guidelines in lieu of the federal program. Here's what homeowners and contractors should know about the Massachusetts RRP Rule.

What Projects Does the RRP Rule Affect?

These guidelines apply to homes constructed before 1978 and facilities such as schools and daycare centers where children frequently spend time. When more than six square feet of an interior painted surface or more than 20 square feet of an exterior painted surface will be disturbed by repairs or renovations, the project must be completed by a lead-safe renovation (LSR) contractor with a certified LSR supervisor on site. When a home or business owner is completing this type of project independently, he or she must obtain a state Contractor Licensing Waiver.

What Is Considered Renovation Work?

For the purpose of these guidelines, renovation work is any project completed for a fee. This includes only work done to upgrade, fix, or improve the property, not projects specifically conducted for lead abatement.

What Does the LSR Contractor Do?

The certified LSR supervisor on site must provide the homeowner a copy of "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools," a publication released by the EPA. The supervisor tests each surface that will be disturbed by the renovations to detect the presence of lead. If lead is present, contaminated items remaining in the area will be sealed with plastic sheets and duct tape to prevent further lead contamination. He or she will also visually inspect the work site after the project is over to ensure that paint debris, dust, and chips are completely removed from the area.

ASAP Environmental, Inc. has been providing lead paint inspection services for clients in the New England area since 1993. Our certified, experienced inspectors use the latest technology to detect the presence of lead paint throughout the home. Before beginning a renovation project, contact us today at 800-349-7779 or schedule your appointment online.

Lead Poisoning and Its Effects on Child Development

When a person absorbs too much lead, either through the skin or by breathing, eating, or drinking, serious damage can occur. This is especially true when it comes to infants and younger children, who are more sensitive to lead than teens or adults. Here's a look at how children are exposed to lead and how it affects their development.

Sources of Lead 

Luckily, since lead-based paint is no longer a major problem in Americans' daily lives since being banned for use in housing since 1978, lead poisoning is much less common than it was in the past. However, there are still several potential sources of lead that pose a threat to everyone, especially children. Lead can still be found in older homes and communities in household dust, contaminated soil, and in water that flows from lead-based pipes. Toys, jewelry, sporting equipment, and other household items like blinds and dishes can also sometimes contain lead, especially if these items are older or have been imported from countries without strict regulations.

Is There Any Safe Level of Lead?

While teens and adults can generally handle small amounts of lead exposure, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. According to studies found in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, lasting cognition problems resulting from lead poisoning can occur in children with as little as five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. Home lead inspections can help to prevent lead exposure in children, and seeking medical attention for the slightest symptoms of lead poisoning is critical.

Signs of Lead Poisoning in Children

Lead poisoning is especially insidious because it's often asymptomatic, even at high levels. If symptoms are present, they most commonly include headaches, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and constipation. If lead poisoning has affected a child's central nervous system, he or she may become disoriented, clumsy, agitated, or excessively lethargic. Any signs of lead poisoning should always be treated as an emergency.

Damaging Effects of Lead in Children

Lead poisoning harms the body's ability to produce vital blood cells and to absorb calcium, both of which are necessary for muscle function, strong bones and teeth, and healthy nerves and blood vessels. Lead can also affect the basic functions of the nervous system. When a child is still developing, especially in the time between birth and age two, lead exposure can severely impact brain development, permanently altering its volume and microstructure.

ASAP Environmental, Inc. has been a leader in Boston-area lead and mold inspection for over 25 years. For more information or to schedule an inspection, please contact us online or call 800-349-7779 today.