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Introduction


     This being the first blog from Expert Home Inspections (EHI), please allow me to spend a few words (maybe a few more than a few) introducing EHI. We are an almost new company having opened for business just less than a year ago. We are a family owned business located in Macomb County, Michigan. While we do the traditional home inspections, we also offer radon, mold and termite tests; air quality testing; and home energy audits. And in this time of water contamination issues, we also offer water testing and analysis. It is that subject that I would like to talk about today.

     Lead in drinking water and (lead in) water in homes in general reached national news and the attention of our nation over the “Flint Water Crisis” in 2014 when the City changed their source of drinking water from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River.
Young children, infants and fetuses are most vulnerable to lead. The negative effects of lead in children are evidenced in behavior and learning problems; lowered IQ and hyperactivity; slowed growth; hearing problems; and anemia. Pregnant women are also at risk, as the fetus can be affected in terms of the growth of the fetus and/or the potential for premature birth.

     Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are found in a variety of materials - in fire suppressant foam used by fire departments and refineries, and in water resistant clothing produced by apparel manufacturers. They are in food packaging materials; nonstick cookware; cleaning products; paints, varnishes and sealants; and some cosmetics. They are everywhere in the environment – in people; in wildlife and in fish all over the world. Unfortunately, they have also recently been found in our drinking water. They don’t break down and can accumulate over time. This is a recent discovery in Michigan, and we are looking forward to obtaining additional information that will provide direction relative to testing, along with solutions to purify the water for drinking.

     Much has been written about lead and PFAS contaminants in drinking water. It is an issue that should be considered as an opportunity for testing as a service to the housing inspection clients.

For further information on who we are, and to check out our company, please visit us at www.expert-home-inspections.com


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