Indoor Environmental Archives

Case Study: When Indoor Air Quality Causes a Business Crisis

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

There are few things as important to our health and safety as the air we breathe. A lot of attention is given to air pollution in the outdoor environment, which is important, but most of us are far more likely to develop a health problem from poor indoor air quality. And when an air quality...

Mercury in Gym Floors: Testing and Mitigation

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

Athletic flooring installed between 1960 and 1980 often contains mercury that may pose a health risk during renovation activities. Before undertaking athletic facility updates, it’s important for facility managers to understand the history, risks and responsibilities related to mercury in gym floors. History of Mercury in Gym Floors In the 1960s, 3M introduced a gym...

Five Environmental Issues Every Renovation Must Take Into Account

Edmund Smith, CHMM Edmund Smith, CHMM

Renovation projects can substantially improve the value of a property, and are often a necessary part of routine maintenance. When considering a renovation project, many building owners start with a visit to the city’s building code department to get approval on plans. With that done, many property owners consider their due diligence to be complete....

What to Look for When Hiring a Mold Assessor

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

Mold is problematic for any property owner. It can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems and other health risks for a building’s occupants. It can sometimes be an early warning sign of structural issues that can lead to extensive problems, if not addressed quickly. If you suspect you have a water-intrusion or mold problem, start with...

How to Dispose of Used Aerosol Cans

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

One question we commonly hear is, “What should I do with used aerosol cans generated at my facility? Are they regulated as a hazardous waste?” Regulations on aerosol can disposal are different for commercial users than for residential users, and knowing the difference is key to complying with EPA and state regulations. The used aerosol...

Environmental Risk Management: What Lenders Need to Know

Edmund Smith, CHMM Edmund Smith, CHMM

Potential environmental problems on collateral property represent one of a commercial lender’s largest risk exposures. The discovery of previously unknown contamination can cause a property’s value to plummet, while simultaneously entailing remediation costs far in excess of any remaining value derived from the property. These costs can quickly become the lender’s problem when the borrower...

Legionnaires’ Disease: Prevention and Control

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

When a deadly disease such as Legionnaires strikes, building managers and owners hold their breath, but not for fear of getting sick. They held their breaths because nobody wants to be responsible for such an outbreak. Legionnaires’ Disease is an infectious disease that is spread not by human-to-human contact, but through aerosolized water particles, usually...

Asbestos in Buildings: Myth vs. Reality

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

As the construction and renovation market continues to heat up, so do questions and concerns about asbestos in buildings. Unfortunately, the topic is subject to a great deal of misinformation, some of which can create unnecessary legal risk for property owners. If you’re considering a renovation in the near future, take a few minutes to...

How to Handle Tenant Mold Complaints

Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP Robert B. Greene, PE, PG, CIH, LEED AP

The last thing most property managers want to deal with is tenant mold complaints. Because the science is murky regarding health effects, it’s not unusual for tenants to attribute unrelated problems to mold. All the same, you cannot afford to ignore such complaints. While the legal liability is almost as murky as the science, waiting...

Category: Indoor Environmental

Case Study: When Indoor Air Quality Causes a Business Crisis

Mercury in Gym Floors: Testing and Mitigation

Five Environmental Issues Every Renovation Must Take Into Account

What to Look for When Hiring a Mold Assessor

How to Dispose of Used Aerosol Cans

Environmental Risk Management: What Lenders Need to Know

Legionnaires’ Disease: Prevention and Control

Asbestos in Buildings: Myth vs. Reality

How to Handle Tenant Mold Complaints

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