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Texas Building Science Experts Provide Gulf Coast Residents with Hurricane Season Advice

The building science professionals at Indoor Environmental Consultants (IEC) identify indoor hazards commonly encountered following storm damage.


Austin, TX – WEBWIRE

IEC offers services that include testing, inspecting, and consulting to identify a wide range of indoor hazards following a natural disaster to protect current and future building occupants.

Earlier this month Tropical Storm Bill made landfall and brought more rain to an already soaked Texas. It was a reminder that hurricane season in the United States has begun and won’t be officially over until November 30th.  People who live in Texas and along the Gulf Coast are at risk this time of year for experiencing the damaging effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.
 
As recently as 2008 Hurricane Ike caused over $19 billion in damages in Texas alone.  One of the best ways to prepare a property for hurricane season is to ensure that all the roof connections are up to code.  Adding hurricane panels to protect windows and door openings can also help prevent damage. 
 
Strong winds, heavy rains, and flooding create much of the destruction to property from these storms.  For those living close to the coast, storm surge is also a major concern.  Even with the best preparations, a powerful hurricane can destroy or cause extensive property damage.  Fortunately, many properties do survive the initial hurricane, but are left with slight to severe damages.  Many of these properties can be rebuilt, but there are potential indoor environmental hazards people need to be aware of before they begin demolition and repair activities.  These may include the following:

  • Mold can begin to grow in as short as 24 to 48 hours on many types of wet building materials and household belongings.  It’s important to begin drying materials as soon as it is safe to do so.  Some non-porous materials can be cleaned and salvaged, but most porous materials should be discarded if mold growth is present.  Also be aware that improperly removing moldy materials can cause the mold spores to become aerosolized and spread throughout a property.
  • Flood waters can bring sewage, bacteria, viruses, mold, and chemicals into a property.
  • Asbestos is still present in many materials found in older properties.  When removing debris or rebuilding a property, these asbestos fibers can become aerosolized.  Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
  • Lead is also a concern because it is a highly toxic metal which produces a range of adverse health effects, particularly in young children. Disturbance or removal of materials containing lead-based paint in older properties may result in exposure risks.


 
“For Texas and Gulf Coast residents who suffer property damage due to a hurricane, tropical storm, or other event, we have environmental and building science experts ready to respond at a moment’s notice,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “IEC offers services that include testing, inspecting, and consulting to identify a wide range of indoor hazards following a natural disaster to protect current and future building occupants.”
 
To learn more about this or other indoor air quality (IAQ) testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).
 


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 Texas Floods
 Texas
 Hurricane
 Property Damage
 Indoor Air Quality


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