Home and business owners should be concerned about mold growth. Even the cleanest house or workplace can host a mold or mildew colony, and the resulting problems range from health issues to structural damage.

What are mold and mildew? Both are types of fungus. They grow naturally in the environment, in soil and on dead or decaying matter. Molds come in many colors and forms; most are harmless. In its natural outdoor setting mold plays a key role in breaking down leaves, wood and other plant debris. But mold doesn’t belong inside a structure, where it can begin to rot building materials, cause stains, and give off unpleasant odors.

Most typical household molds are white, grey, or charcoal colored. To grow, molds and mildews need moisture and food-they thrive on cloth, wallboard, and insulation, but they can grow almost anywhere. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny, invisible spores into the air. Once the spores land on a damp surface, they can begin to grow and multiply within 24-48 hours. And if the mold colony becomes large enough the spore content in the surrounding air can become a health hazard.

Mold spores can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tracts. People with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to mold irritation. Some molds produce toxins harmful to one’s skin, and even poisonous if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Allergy-like symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing are the most common symptoms of mold exposure.

If you suspect your home or business is infested with mold or mildew, your immediate course of action should be to have the building scientifically tested. Choose a laboratory that’s certified and accredited by your state for mold inspection in your home or building. The mold testing facility professional can recommend the appropriate cleanup action protocol if you do have mold growth in your structure. Often cleanup can be accomplished simply by washing the area with a mild chlorine bleach detergent and water, but if mold is growing inside a wall, remediation by a professional environmental remediation company may be required.

If you learn that you have a mold problem, you should clean it up- or hire a professional contractor to clean it up- as quickly as possible. It’s equally important to remedy any problems with the source of water leakage to stop the mold from regenerating. Moisture control is the key to preventing mold growth; if you experience any water damage, leaks, or intrusion, you should dry the areas within 24 to 48 hours.

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• Do keep activities to a minimum in any areas having damaged material that may contain asbestos.
• Do take every precaution to avoid damaging asbestos material.
• Do have removal and major repair done by people trained and qualified in handling asbestos. It is highly recommended that sampling and minor repair also be done by asbestos professionals.
• Don’t dust, sweep, or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos.
• Don’t saw, sand, scrape, or drill holes in asbestos materials.
• Don’t use abrasive pads or brushes on power strippers to strip wax from asbestos flooring. Never use a power stripper on a dry floor.
• Don’t sand or try to level asbestos flooring or its backing. When asbestos flooring needs replacing, install new floor covering over it, if possible.
• Don’t track material that could contain asbestos through the house. If you cannot avoid walking through the area, have it cleaned with a wet mop. If the material is from a damaged area, or if a large area must be cleaned, call an asbestos professional.

Major repairs must be done only by a professional trained in methods for safely handling asbestos.

Minor repairs should also be done by professionals since there is always a risk of exposure to fibers when asbestos is disturbed.

Doing minor repairs yourself is not recommended since improper handling of asbestos materials can create a hazard where none existed.

Removal is usually the most expensive method and, unless required by state or local regulations, should be the last option considered in most situations. This is because removal poses the greatest risk of fiber release. However, removal may be required when remodeling or making major changes to your home that will disturb asbestos material. Also, removal may be called for if asbestos material is damaged extensively and cannot be otherwise repaired. Removal is complex and must be done only by a contractor with special training. Improper removal may actually increase the health risks to you and your family.

We, at Andersen Environmental, are ready to help you with all your environmental needs.  We are Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH), Professional Engineers (PE), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Registered Environmental Assessors (REA),Certified Asbestos Consultants (CAC),Professional Geologists (PG),Lead Inspector (LI), Lead Project Engineer (LPI), Radon Measurement Provider

- Source: www.epa.gov

For more information:

- http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html#dosdonts

- http://www.andersenenviro.com/asbestos.htm

LAX was forced to divert nearly two dozen flights to other airports and outbound flights were delayed due to power outage.

These pictures were taken by one of our Project Managers,  who was directly affected by the storm, and who volunteer to help his neighbors in the aftermath of the storm.

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Andersen Environmental’s services include: asbestos testing, Phase I Environmental Assessments, Phase II soil and groundwater testing, soil remediation including soil vapor extraction, hazardous waste characterization and removal, and many other services as listed below.

Underground storage tanks (UST) are used for storage of liquids such as gasoline, diesel, fumigants, solvents,  used industrial waste-water processing, sumps, pits, and other subsurface features that store, convey, or process chemicals and chemical waste.

Federal and State regulations prescribe strict design, operation, and decommissioning practices for USTs and other subsurface containers.  Many states mandate specific requirements including permits, containment, monitoring, inspections, and sampling for the UST and closure of such subsurface elements. In the event that said subsurface container has been determined to be leaking, the cleanup of resulting soil contamination is typically under the oversight of a local agency, As such, groundwater investigation and cleanup activities are typically regulated by regional water quality control boards.

Steps for UST Removal:

1. A layout of all cuts is done for Andersen Environmental examination and analysis before commencing the excavation work.
2. When the top of the UST is uncovered the remaining liquids are removed with special care from the tank.
3. In the event that UST and/or piping contain any additional unused petroleum product or oil, all such products are emptied prior to removal of the UST or piping.
4. Extreme caution must be used when excavating and removing the UST to ensure that no spillage of any petroleum product occurs
5. When the UST is empty, it is removed from the excavation with the aid of an excavator. The UST is then cleaned and inspected by a certified industry hygienist.
6. All piping, pumps, wiring, gauges and other equipment associated with the UST are also removed.
7. Andersen Environmental will excavate any soils impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons. The impacted soils are placed directly into trucks for immediate off-site disposal. It is the responsibility of Andersen Environmental to collect and have analyzed the appropriate waste characterization samples according to Sate and Federal guidelines.
8. If the samples return positive of soil contamination, it must be removed.
9. The surface is restored to pre excavation condition. Appropriate measures are taken to ensure that there is no difference between the existing surfaces and the restored surfaces.

Andersen Environmental is a full service consulting firm that is comprised of leading environmental professionals dedicated to providing effective solutions for our clients’ environmental needs.

- Credit Underwriter at Lending Company

“Thanks so much for getting on this one so fast Aiden. The insured advised me yesterday that you had already called. I appreciate the way you guys bend over backwards for your clients – that’s why I just throw away all of the ads I get for other enviro companies”.

- Sr. Branch Claims Representative at Insurance Company

“Thank you for being such a resource, so knowledgeable and so available to answer the many questions of my clients! Also, thank you for doing your homework and arriving loaded with information. I know it made all the difference for them. Particularly for first-time home buyers, the thing they want is information to put them at ease. You totally knocked it out of the park”.

- Real Estate Agency

Andersen Environmental (AE) is a full service consulting firm that is comprised of leading environmental professionals dedicated to providing effective solutions for our clients’ environmental needs. Andersen Environmental’s services include: asbestos testing, Phase I Environmental Assessments, Phase II soil and groundwater testing, soil remediation including soil vapor extraction, hazardous waste characterization and removal, and many other services as listed below. Andersen Environmental’s corporate headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California, with offices throughout the United States.