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Lead hazards
Any house built before the late 1970s may contain lead paint.
The most common source of lead exposure in the home is lead-based paint, but lead can also be found in furniture and in household items like batteries and venetian blind weights.
Contractors trained in lead testing and removal can identify sources of lead exposure in the home and safely remove it. Any home built before 1978 could have lead paint residue.
Short-term exposure to lead can cause abdominal pain, headache, fatigue and nausea while long-term exposure can cause permanent damage to the heart, kidneys, intestines and nervous system. A blood test can confirm whether lead poisoning has occurred.
Mold hazards
Mold growth needs to be removed or killed with amonia or bleach.
It's not much of a hazard outdoors, but when indoors mold spores can travel through the air and aggravate asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, sinus infections and skin rashes.
Make sure your attic, basement and other little-used spaces are well ventilated and not accumulating moisture through condensation or exposure to the elements.
Homeowners can buy mold spore test kits and can even do their own mold eradication if the mold source is easily identified. In more complex situations, consult mold eradication experts.
Radon gas
Radon test kits like this one are available at most major hardware stores.
Radon comes out of the ground and dissipates harmlessly outdoors, but when it seeps into basements through foundation cracks it can build up to dangerous levels indoors.
Radon is a known cause of lung cancer and is responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths annually according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Radon test kits are available at hardware stores. Radon levels can fluctuate so it's best to conduct long-term testing to get an accurate indication of the day-to-day exposure.
Asbestos hazards
This microscopic view shows asbestos fibers which can cause lung cancer with sufficient exposure.
In homes built before 1978, asbestos was sometimes used as heat and acoustical insulation in and around sewer and water pipes and ducts. It was also used in electrical wiring, stovepipe rings, linoleum and vinyl flooring, shingles and acoustic tiles.
Fortunately, asbestos is of minimal risk when undisturbed, but during construction projects or simple home repairs asbestos dust can become airborne and enter the lungs.
When asbestos materials in the home need to be disturbed or removed contact a licensed company that specializes in this type of work.
Carbon monoxide
A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm similar to a smoke detector.
A product of combustion, carbon monoxide is created by furnaces and auto exhaust. If the furnace is faulty or ventilation is poor, the gas can spread into the house with deadly results.
Although headache, dizziness and nausea are typical in the early stages of carbon monoxide exposure, there may be little or no warning, especially at night when the household is asleep.
Regular maintenance of heating systems should greatly reduce the risk. Carbon monoxide detectors can also be purchased at hardware stores to sound an alert when dangerous levels of the gas are detected.