Housing authorities ensure homes meet safety standards Published Jan. 23, 2009 By 1st Lt. Carly Johnson 27th Special Operations Aerospace Medical Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Cannon Housing Management and Dormitory Management Offices ensures that all residents of military family housing can breathe easy knowing that they are living in safe structures without fear of environmental hazards. Cannon's Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight tests common household hazards such as radon and mold per Air Force Instructions, Environmental Protection Agency regulations and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations to ensure that if present, these substances are properly dealt with and do not pose health or safety hazards. Listed below is information for military members and their families who may have questions regarding their homes, dormitories, or workplaces about any potential environmental hazards. This information is also provided to all personnel and their families upon moving in to any military housing unit. Asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, and radon will specifically be addressed. Health and safety is our number one priority for all at Cannon and we will do all we can to address your concerns. Asbestos According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is unlikely for non-occupational asbestos exposure to cause health problems. The presence of asbestos and/or asbestos-containing material, if left undisturbed, does not pose a health hazard. All housing units across the country have the potential to contain asbestos in the building materials -- even newly built homes. Asbestos is only hazardous if disturbed. In 2007, a comprehensive study of the Cannon Military Family Housing and dormitories was conducted to identify and evaluate the presence of asbestos and asbestos-containing material. Asbestos in building materials was located in Joe Cannon Estates (Mercury and Gemini housing areas) and Chavez Manor housing units in one or more of the following locations: ceiling materials, wallboards, joint compound, sink undercoating, wall texture, floor tiles and tile mastic. For more information on asbestos, "Asbestos in Your Home" published by the EPA is available at the base natural resource management element. Asbestos survey records are also available at the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron's Natural Resource Management Element at 784-1092. Following these recommendations virtually eliminates your potential asbestos exposure: · Do not drill into the walls or ceilings (nails for hanging pictures are okay) · Do not sand, cut or scrape walls, ceilings, floor tiles, or sink undercoating · Do not install self-help projects into walls, ceilings or tiled floors, (light fixtures, ceiling fans, cabinets, etc.) without base housing management office approval · Do not perform any maintenance or self-help work that could disturb areas identified or could possibly contain asbestos · Contact the base housing management office, also known as Capital Asset Management, at 784-7532 if you have questions on self-help projects for housing occupants The base awarded a housing project contract that will remove all asbestos-containing material from the interior of 250 Chavez Manor housing units to prepare them for major renovations during the housing privatization project. Additionally, the base has demolished two of its oldest dormitories with plans to demolish three other dorms this year. There are also plans to completely renovate one of the older dormitories. Lead-based paint Housing units in the community as well as military family housing units constructed before 1978 may potentially contain lead-based paint. There has been a major effort to reduce the amount of this type of paint in military housing and in other buildings on Cannon. In fact, there are no interior surfaces in any military housing unit that have exposed lead-based paint. The material was found in Joe Cannon Estates (Mercury and Gemini housing areas) and Chavez Manor housing units in the ceilings, but is completely confined within the sheetrock. There are also some units with external lead-based paint in the carports, sheds and exterior trim. Ultimately, the risk of exposure to lead-based paint is extremely low. For more information, "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home," published by the EPA, is available at the Housing Office. Lead-based paint survey records are available in the 27 SOCES Natural Resource Management Element at 784-1092. Mold There are more than 1,000 different species of mold in the U.S. It can grow on any surface where there is moisture or where water accumulates. The housing units identified to have mold due to severe water leaks/damage have been pulled from the inventory and will not be occupied. The units with minimal mold growth due to minor water leaks have been professionally cleaned and repaired. For more information on mold and your home, "Mold, Moisture and Your Home," published by the EPA, is available at the base housing management office. If you become aware of any mold issues in your military family housing unit or dormitory, please notify the base housing office at 784-7532 or the chief of central dormitory management at 784-7015. Radon Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally-occurring gas that results from the decay of uranium, which exists in most soils. Radon enters homes from the soil under the slab, in crawlspaces, and basements. Radon in the medium hazard range was detected in three Joe Cannon Estates (Gemini housing area) housing units. These units have been demolished, and no other homes will be built in those areas. No radon activity has been detected in the dormitories. For more information on radon, "The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon" published by the EPA is available at the base housing office. Radon survey records are available in the base bioenvironmental engineering flight at 784-4063. The Air Force and Cannon Air Force Base have no knowledge of any other potential environmental hazard in military family housing or the dormitories. Health and safety are key components to the success of Cannon's mission and your welfare is our first priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the base bioenvironmental engineering flight at 784-4063.