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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is a septic system?
  2. What is radon and where does it come from?
  3. Can radon affect me?
  4. How does radon get indoors?
  5. What are safe radon levels?
  6. What is my township’s average radon concentration?
  7. What is mold?
  8. Why should an underground storage tank be tested?
  9. What are the main sources of lead exposure?
  10. How does lead based paint cause health problem for children?
  11. How does asbestos cause health hazards?


1. What is a septic system?

A sub-surface sewage disposal system, commonly known as a septic system, consists of two main components: the septic tank also known as the treatment tank, the distribution box and the drainage area, often referred to as the leach field. The system also includes a main sewer line which connects all the plumbing fixtures to the septic tank and a distribution box which connects the septic tank to the drainage field. The septic tank is usually buried approximately 10-20 feet from the dwelling. 

The purpose of a septic system is to treat and dispose of waste water generated by the occupants. When properly installed and adequately maintained, septic systems are more economical than sanitory sewers and just as effecient.


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2. What is radon and where does it come from?
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that comes from the radioactive decay of radium.

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3. Can radon affect me?
Radon gas continues to undergo radioactive decay, producing new naturally formed radioactive material. These new radon progenies, which are solid can stick to dust particles or smoke in the air. This can be inhaled and deposited on the linings of the lungs where it continues to emit alpha energy. Studies indicate that the result of extended exposure to high levels of radon gas/radon progeny produce an increased risk of lung cancer.

Radon Exposure has been rated the second leading cause of lung cancer, while cigarette smoking remains the first.

Expected Lung Cancer Mortality Rates:


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4. How does radon get indoors?
Radon gas can enter a house through any openings in the floor or wall which touches the soil. These include pipe entry points, joints between basement floors and walls, drains, cracks and open crawl spaces. Water from private wells and small community systems can contain radon which is released when the water is agitated.

Common ways radon can enter your home:

 


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5. What are safe radon levels?

The EPA recommends that the average radon exposure rate not exceed 4.0pCi/L. In New Jersey, 30% of the homes tested are found to in excess of 4.0 pCi/L.


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6. What is my township’s average radon concentration?
A list of average radon concentration can be found by county by clicking here.

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7. What is mold?
Mold is found both indoors as well as outdoors and is a very simple microscopic organism.

Mold breaks down dead material and requires a food source such as moisture to grow. Since it reproduces at such high rates, it gradually destroys whatever it grows on.

Mold growth on surfaces can be found due to discoloration, usually green, gray, brown, or black, but can also be found in almost any color.


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8. Why should an underground storage tank be tested?
  • The cost of oil cleanups average thousands of dollars.
  • The cost of oil cleanups and tank removal are usually not covered by home owners insurance.
  • Heating oil companies that offer tank protection do not cover the cost of cleanups which may be related to pre-existing tank or oil leaks which are found when a homeowner converts to gas. The entire cleanup cost may not be covered by tank protection.
  • Sellers and potential home buyers should be aware and correct problems with the oil tank to avoid any concerns regarding liability and avoid the possibility of a delay in closing.
  • To avoid environmental risks abandoned underground oil tanks should be located and inspected to verify that they have been properly closed.

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9. What are the main sources of lead exposure?
Experts agree that there are three major sources of Lead exposure today:
  • Lead-based paint
  • Urban soil and dust
  • Drinking water
These sources are considered major because of the large number of people exposed. Other sources can result in high exposure in individual cases.

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10. How does lead based paint cause health problem for children?
The amount of Lead-based paint in housing is significant. Tens of millions of housing units contain at least some lead-based paint. Children living in homes with lead-based paint can become exposed to that lead by directly eating chips of paint or by chewing on protruding painted surfaces. The most common route of exposure, however, is the ingestion of lead bearing dust that is generated by paint when it deteriorates, chalks or is disturbed through renovation or even abrasion from opening or closing of windows and doors. Even in these indirect ways, lead-based can be a source of severe lead poisoning. Children absorb a significantly higher percentage of ingested lead than adults., with absorption enhanced by malnutrition and poor diet. Several studies have confirmed the link between dust lead and childhood blood lead.

The severity of lead contamination is only now being realized. Children are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning. Lead in the body can cause serious damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the kidneys. Exposure to high concentration of lead can cause retardation, convulsions, coma and death. Even low concentrations of lead are known to slow down a child's normal development and cause learning and behavioral problems.


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11. How does asbestos cause health hazards?
The harmful asbestos fibers are much too small to be seen by the naked eye. An average human hair is approximately 1200 times thicker than most asbestos fibers.

Asbestos has been identified as a cancer-causing material (carcinogen) and most uses have been banned in the United States. Asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer have all been attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos. Symptoms of these diseases generally do not appear for approximately 10-40 years. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.


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