Enviromental science - Research Paper Example

The property management company should institute a no smoking policy if they do not have one in place as tobacco smoke is a source of elevated CO. That may lead the property management company to find that the building is in good working order and the real culprit is the tenant use of tobacco. Moeller (2005) 124 2 12 - 16 Removing the mold would be the next priority. The health risks from mold, whether visible or not would be watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue.

This is problematic because of the high humidity. The property manager could not force the tenants to run the air conditioning all the time. Air conditioning is an easy way (albeit expensive) method to clean the air coming into a person’s home and lower the humidity. If the mold is causing damage to the unit however, the property management co. could hold the tenant responsible for mold damage and hold the damage deposit or charge damages or an assessment such as with a townhouse or an apartment.

Moeller (2005) 121 N/A 1 Elevated radon levels would be the final priority. Radon gas is undetectable and can go undetected for some time, which makes it no less dangerous. Radon has been shown to cause some lung cancers. Many cities now have building codes that enforce radon detection systems and the property management company would be responsible for this system. The source of elevated Radon is uranium and that would concern the residents if made aware of the information. The information could go public and that would not be good for the property management company.

Moeller (2005) 124 2 12 - 16 The reason for placing these hazards in this order of removal or focus is that carbon dioxide affects the residents’ mental faculties and could cause immediate health concerns and/or death of a tenant. This is the most urgent issue. If a tenant because dizzy or weak at an inopportune time they could fall down a flight of stairs, as an example, or fall asleep with a cigarette, etc.. The mold would be the next priority due to Moeller (2005) statements on Mold and Radon.

He states that “In contrast to radon, the presence of mold can rapidly lead to unpleasant reactions, particularly among those people who have allergies and/or asthma. Since mold requires moisture to grow, it can be controlled by repairing leaks in the plumbing system, installing drainage systems to transport water away from areas near a building, replacing any portions that are water damaged, and/or using air conditioners or dehumidifiers to reduce indoor humidity” (p. 122). These mechanical repairs would be visible and would generate health benefits immediately.

They would stop the excess humidity. Moeller (2005) 122 N/A 7 - 26 Housing Scenario Number: __2__ (Answer Sheet) Your Response Course Assigned Reading Source Page(s) Column (if applicable) Line(s) Potential environmental hazards are numerous and include: the homeless living on the streets, in shelters, in cars, buses, or trains. Other environmental hazards are homeless camps, and lack of toilet facilities. Donohoe (2004) 1 N/A 32 Health risks have been shown to be much higher for the homeless.

TB, HIV, mental illness, and physical illnesses. Kerker et al. (2011) Shelton et al. (2009) 546 465 1 2 3 –