Jul 28 2008
Stuff You Should Know
There could be so many environmental dangers lurking around your home, but you wouldn’t know about them unless you did some serious research. Before you lived in your home, there could have been a company or factory there or within a short distance of the neighborhood. Maybe it manufactured steel or chemicals, so there is a possibility that spills occurred or waste was disposed of improperly. However, simple searches on the web can either put your mind at ease or make you more aware and proactive in protecting yourself and your family.
To determine if a superfund site (hazardous waste site) is near the location of your home or office, search the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website. This provides you with basic information about the sites including the status and types of contaminants, so you can know what the risks are.
In Ohio, there is a Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR). This site monitors the tanks so that any releases can be remediated appropriately and efficiently. You can use the UST search engine to find USTs near you in Ohio.
It’s beneficial to know the potential dangers around you so that you can protect your health as well as stand up for the environment by monitoring if the contamination has reached your domain.
Photo Credit: Made available by www.nps.gov.
