Homeowners Discover A New “Intruder” (NAPSA)—Today’s housing market has thrown a number of curves at buyers and sellers. But now experts say a newly discovered problem is further raising :6 comestimeto sell. Protect Your Home the financial risk of buying cer- tain homes—andthat it may even affect a family’s health regardless of whether they’re lookingto sell. The culprit? Vapor intrusion, an indoor air-quality issue that— like asbestos and radon gas before it—is causing significant concern across the nation. Vapor intrusion can develop in a home when evaporatingvolatile chemicals from polluted soil and groundwater seep near or underneath a property. Among the wide range of potential health implications that have been connected to the phenomenonare eye irritation, respiratory problems, headaches and nausea. What’s more, experts say that long-term exposure might even raise a person’s chances of developing cancer, although the effects vary based on the individual exposed, the chemical involved and the dose and length of exposure. Know Your Risks In 2007, there were more than 400,000 known instances of leak- ing underground storage tanks and more than 1 million chemical spills in neighborhoods. That’s whyit’s a good idea to look for owners, specifically, could face liability risks or loss of value when it homeinspectors offering Environmental Data Resources Inc.’s (EDR) Neighborhood Environmen- tal Report. “The reports help identify potential environmental risks such as leaking underground tanks, landfills and toxic waste sites on or near a property that may threaten your well-being or property value,” explains Ben Cesare, managing director of EDR residential services. Cesare says this “snapshot” of environmental history is generated from the largest collection of local, state and federal hazard records in the U.S. The reports can be valuable tools for both homeowners and buyers, since a property affected by contamination usually won’t have any visual indicators. Home- Fortunately, the presence of vapor intrusion isn’t necessarily cause to pass on buying a house, since a numberof ways exist to get rid of such airborne contaminants. For instance, you might be able to simply seal cracks in a home’s foundation or install a ventilation system similar to those used to remove radon gas. Other alternatives include adjusting the home’s heating and air-conditioning systems to maintain a positive pres- sure inside the house to prevent vapors from infiltrating. A Growing Problem Environmental professionals are discovering that vapor intrusion may be more widespread than once thought. The chemical fumes that seep into homes are often from former gas stations or dry cleaners that were torn down long ago, as well as from currentorformer industrial sites. Contamination from these types of sites can travel undetected via underground plumes. To find out if contaminants are present in your homeorin a property you're considering buying, contact an EDR-certified professional. For more information, visit the Web site www.edrnet.com.
