House Hunting in the Age of Environmental Contamination

What a headache it is in our modern world!  Here's an overview of the methods and websites I use to assess my family's risk of exposures.  There are three main routes of exposure:

1.  Air
2. Water
3. Soil

AIR
-Toxic Chemicals released into the air by industry/Superfunds
-Fumes from highway traffic
-Agricultural- Pesticides, herbicides
-Radiation/EMFs from power lines and cell towers
-City Pollution
-Indoor Air contaminants from drywall, mud (white putty in between dry wall slabs), cabinetry, faux-floors (laminate, linoleum, engineered wood), furniture

WATER
-Toxic Chemicals released into water by industry/Superfunds
- Run-off from highways
-Agricultural Runoff- pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, grain-fed animal excrement
-City Water (full with both intended and unintended contaminants)

SOIL
-Toxins released from industry/Superfunds that settle in low elevation areas
-Lead from old highways
-Agricultural Contaminants- pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, grain-fed animal excrement
-Burial Grounds
-Trash Dumps

There are several things I do to assess these contaminants:

1.  SOIL/WATER: Topographic Maps.  These will allow you to assess if there are potential hazards near your property that could be entering yours due to elevation and runoff.
http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov/toxmap/flex/ (Click TOPO in the top right corner)

2.  AIR:  Toxic Release Registry.  This will allow you to see exactly what chemicals are being released by facilities in your area.
http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov/toxmap/flex/

3.  AIR/SOIL/WATER:  Satellite Maps.  These allow you to see farms in your vicinity and also see if the property has the minimum 50 foot tree buffer required to cut down on pesticide/herbicide drift.
https://www.google.com/maps

4.  WATER:  Water Testing.  Get your well water tested.

5.  AIR:  EMF Mapping.  This site allows you to see all the sources near you.
http://www.antennasearch.com/default.asp

6. AIR: Test for Radon.

7.  AIR:  Air Quality Reports.  http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx


I try to mitigate as many potential sources of contamination as possible when house hunting.  I don't want a property in a farming heavy area.  If I cannot find a property in a less rural area that fits my own farming needs, then I need a minimum 50 feet of buffer of trees (6 ft+) SURROUNDING the entire property.  The property must also be at a HIGHER elevation than all the surrounding properties.

I like properties that are well protected on their western and northern borders by as much tree coverage as possible and are located WEST/NORTHWEST of any potential external air contaminants, like cities.

For EMFs, much of your exposure comes from inside your home.  Your computer plug, cell phone, microwave, wifi, BGE smartmeter.  You can really help cut down exposure by limiting use, turning things off, charging things far away from your physical self, etc.  For power lines and cell towers, ideally you would be 1.2 miles from the closest source, which is hard in a densely populated area.  In which case, a minimum of 150 meters is absolutely crucial.  And the more physical object that block the waves from you the better (other homes, trees etc.).  I use the rule, if I can physically see them, they can see me.

If in an AG area, get a bee hive and then register your property as being a pesticide sensitive farm with the Maryland Dept of AG.  If you have a doctor willing to, apply to be labeled as a Pesticide Sensitive Individual.  Your bordering farms will be required to alert you when they are planning to spray, so you can vacate the area until the next heavy rain, or at the very least, keep your windows and doors shut.

In my opinion there are no "safe areas" left in Maryland.  But each property can be individually assessed based off potential exposure to air, water and soil contaminants.  There are areas that are worse.  Try to avoid living in a city or east/southeast of one (downwind).


YOU FOUND THE HOUSE:

Once you have made the assessment and picked the house, consider implementing as many of the following mitigation techniques as you are able to further lower your risks:

-High-End HEPA filters (follow square footage instructions), likely need at least two (one for each floor)
-Whole house reverse osmosis filter (especially important if you will have city water) + remineralization
-Plants that aid in air purification for inside
-Adding trees to your properties edges to create a tall, strong and staggered 50 foot buffer (vital if in an AG heavy area)
-Avoid buying NEW furniture that has not had at least 3 years to off-gas (this applies to cars as well), unless the furniture is non-toxic.  Pre-1950 is great, before they used flame retardents.
-Buy Non-toxic mattresses
-For renovations, buy unfinished hardwoods and finish with non-toxic finish, buy NO-Voc paint, and buy non-toxic wood cabinetry.  This website can help: http://greenbuildingsupply.com/
-Remediate for Radon
-Remediate for Lead Paint
-Download an Air Quality app to your phone that will give you alerts when there is extra particulate matter or ozone in their air.  Those days, keep windows shut, kids inside.


Happy and Healthy House Hunting!