On April 22, 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule regarding Lead Based Paint disturbance. By April 22, 2010 all lead paint removal contractors must comply with the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule for Lead-Based Paint if you are disturbing paint on housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.
New EPA Regulations for Lead Paint Removal Coming Soon!!
On April 22, 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule regarding Lead Based Paint disturbance. By April 22, 2010 all lead paint removal contractors must comply with the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule for Lead-Based Paint if you are disturbing paint on housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978.
If you plan on renovating more than 6 square feet inside and 20 square feet outside the home, then plan on some additional steps than just restoration work. First, lead paint removal contractors must distribute the EPA’s new Renovate Right! pamphlet to owners and occupants unless it is an emergency. Second, lead paint removal contractors must have their crews and supervisors trained as certified renovators. Third, contractors that provide lead paint removal services must apply to the EPA to become a Certified Lead Renovation Firm. Finally, lead-based paint removal firms must incorporate new record keeping and reporting requirements within their information management systems.
Alliance Environmental Group, Inc. is California’s premier lead-based paint removal contractor and is already preparing to incorporate the new EPA regulations into its business practices. When you call Alliance Environmental Group, you know that you are in safe hands.
Please reach out to Bill Wood - Director of Client Relations at Alliance Environmental Group - with any questions regarding these new guidelines and how they affect your California lead-based paint removal project.
For more information on the rule from EPA, go to www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
Alliance Environmental Group is now offering Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning
Alliance Environmental Group now offers kitchen exhaust cleaning. As an environmental company it is our job to clean and dispose of hazardous waste safely and properly. We have discovered after doing some research that half of the 11,100 fires in eating and drinking establishments start in the kitchen. One of the leading causes of these fires is the build up of grease, one spark can turn into a nightmare. Fire Code NFPA96 is the national standard on inspections of exhaust systems and guidelines for cleaning your exhaust systems. Systems using solid fuel cooking operations must be inspected on a monthly basis, systems serving high-volume cooking operations must be inspected quarterly and systems serving low-volume cooking operations must inspect on a yearly basis. With this said we realize the importance of routine maintenance when it comes to kitchen hood cleaning. This is exactly why we have taken up the task of training our crew to get the job done right. We realize the importance of maintaining a healthy clean and safe environment for your staff as well as your guest. We have started a new division that is ready to take on the job. If you are interested in receiving a free estimate on your kitchen hood routine maintenance please contact us at (888)833-7417 to schedule your appointment.
Larry one of our air duct cleaning estimators called on a air duct cleaning company who offered a $49 special. Read on to see what this $49 special really cost him.
If you are searching for an air duct cleaning specialist, you have probably noticed the ads that for companies advertising a remarkably low price of $49. Many customers have voiced concerns regarding Alliance Environmental’s pricing, as our fees are significantly higher. Many times we immediately lose an opportunity to service air duct cleaning projects without being given a chance to offer a defense or explanation for why our costs are higher. That is exactly why we are writing this blog. Alliance wants consumers to be aware of the schemes that many “air duct cleaning specialists” (or so they claim) are pulling on the innocent.
We conducted our own experiment to find out first-hand what these companies are really offering for their advertised price. Larry - one of our air duct cleaning estimators - invited one of the companies offering a $49 air duct cleaning special into his own home to see how this company could possibly clean his ducts properly for $49.
This is his report:
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Undisclosed company quoted me a price for $49.00 to clean all my air ducts.
The sales representative showed up late and ask me a few questions:
* Ask about allergies;
* Asks about pets in the house;
* Asks about how often I change my filter.
I told him my system was 5 to 6 years old and I had never had my ducts cleaned.
The entire conversation took less than 4 minutes. In the end, the sales representative told me:
* That my ducts are still brand new;
* That cleaning the air-ducts would be pointless;
* That takes up to 20 years for ducts to get dirty.
He told me all this with out examining my air ducts.
The end result is that he recommended changing my filter, and even offered to sell me one. He offered to sell a washable, allergen-free filter (a Go Green Product) for $119.99.
We pulled my filter out of the ceiling return register. The filter and the return supply were both dirty and needed to be cleaned. I pointed out that the need for cleaning contributed to the dirtiness of the return air flow. He responded that all I needed to do is purchase a filter and clean it once a month. He attested that - if I were to follow this procedure - the quality of my air would be great.
He did mention to me that he manufactures all of his own filters, as well as the fact that he only allocated 20 minutes to both (a) inspect my air ducts and (b) provide an estimate.
So at this point, I ask:
“If my return filter is dirty and my return air-supply is dirty, wouldn’t my blower and air ducts also be dirty?”
His response: “Blowers take a very long time to get dirty. I have never seen a dirty blower.”
I requested that he examine my FAU blower. After inspecting the blower, he informed me that:
* My blower was the dirtiest he has ever seen;
* My blower looked to be 10+ years old.
I requested a quote for cleaning the blower. $249.99. I asked for a quote to clean the Return Air Supply. $129.99. I requested a quote to clean the Filter. $119.99.d
As he was leaving, I noticed that he only had a standard Shop Vac in his car. Any professional air duct cleaner knows that this piece of equipment will not suffice for comprehensive air duct cleaning. So how was he going to clean my ducts?
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This company came to the property with the false notion that they were going to clean Larry’s air ducts but their intention was never to do so. They didn’t even have the proper equipment in their vehicle to clean air ducts. We later found out that they are a distributor of air filters and their selling techniques include selling you on the fact that your air ducts do not need to be cleaned you just need a new air filter.
Here are a few tips to help you find a certified contractor for air duct cleaning:
1. Make sure they are NADCA Certified
2. Make sure they have a California State Contractor License.
3. Ensure that all costs are included in the estimate and there are no hidden fees.
4. Do not hesitate to ask for referrals with phone numbers from customers they have done business with before.
You can find additional information from NADCA on how to select a residential air duct cleaning contractor.
http://www.nadca.com/consumerinformation/selectresidentialcontractor.aspx
Our top Executives went on a mission retreat to Peru to distribute free wheel chairs to those who were in need.
I am very honored to say that in January 2009 three of our top executives Jeff McLean (CFO), Bill Wood (Executive Director of Client Relations) and Tim Tilley (Branch Manager) volunteered their time and effort to an organization called Free Wheel Chair Mission.
Free Wheel Chair Mission is a non-profit organization that manufactures and distributes wheel chairs to people around the world who would otherwise go without the ability of mobilization. The average cost to manufacture and ship one wheel chair comes with a very modest cost of $52.00. The distribution chain is funded through donations from individuals, foundations and grants.
Bill, Jeff and Tim traveled to Peru to help distribute these wheel chairs to those in need. Each held a specific job that they were in charge of. Bill was designated to be the mechanic, Jeff and Tim were the photographers that provided Polaroid pictures to each individual who received a wheelchair. This experience was a life altering experience for each individual that participated and we hope that the Alliance community can continue on with our efforts to give back and make a difference.
Get inspired by clicking on the link below.
http://armorblog.com/2009/03/give-the-gift-of-mobility/
In the News Alliance Environmental Group and How To Kill BedBugs…
Check out our newest adventure with bedbugs. We were called upon by ABC news to help eradicate bedbugs with our radiant heaters in a Bay Area home. The saga continues. Click on the link below to watch how we manage to kill these unsightly creatures.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=6691293
It is becoming more and more apparent that consumers are concerned with the chemicals that are being used in their daily household cleaners
It is becoming more and more apparent that consumers are concerned with the chemicals that are being used in their daily household cleaners. Such proof is pronounced in the recent lawsuit between environmental activists and leading firms who produce common household cleaning products.
Activists are demanding that ingredients be displayed on all household cleaners. The activists “say people deserve to know whether the products they use to wash their dishes and clean their homes could be harmful,” This is also true for many pesticides that are being used by pest control companies.
Alliance Environmental Group knows that it is important to keep your home safe from bacteria, pest and mold. That is why we are using an environmentally friendly way to kill bacteria, pest and mold. No chemicals are used just heat. You can rest assure that your home will be safe from chemicals.
We are consistently receiving request for a way to get rid of bedbugs without having to use harsh pesticides. Our ThermaPure Heat treatment does just that, kills bedbugs without affecting your safe haven with chemicals. Take a look at our page about pests and you will find out just how this process works.
California warns consumers about the potential hazards of air cleaners:
The truth about Air Cleaners
Recently the Indoor Environment Connections magazine posted an article warning about the potential hazards of air cleaners:
California Warns Consumers About Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners.
I have been around the environmental field for 18 years and I can’t tell you how many times people have asked me whether they should purchase an air cleaner for their home or office. Recently the California Air Resource Board (ARB) warned consumers not to purchase air cleaning devices that intentionally generate ozone. At ground-level ozone is an air pollutant with harmful effects on the respiratory systems of animals. In the upper atmosphere it filters potentially damaging ultraviolet light from reaching the Earth’s surface. According to the article “these devices can produce potentially harmful levels of ozone that can worsen asthma, cause serious lung inflammation, decrease lung function, and lead to hospitalization for respiratory conditions, emergency room visits for asthma and increased school absences.”
It’s not all doom and gloom though. If you are still interested in using air cleaners, look for cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or Electrostatic filters. For guidance in selecting an air cleaner check:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/ozone.htm
For products to avoid check:
http://www/arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/o3g-list.htm
Indoor Environment Connection - Jan. 09 - Tom Scarlett
Bill Wood - Alliance Environmental Group
The dangers of lead based paint in childrens clothing and toys.
We are all aware of the dangers of lead based paint especially for children under the age of six whose bodies are still developing. This is why in 1978 lead was banned for residential use by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Tuesday February 11th Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed and many retailers are forced to yank many of their children’s products off their shelves. The new Act states that the limit for lead paint must be 90 parts per million as opposed to the 600 parts per million that was previously regulated in all children’s toys and clothing.
There is a reason for such drastic measures lead is harmful for children and there are still dangerous toys on the shelves. This is exactly why many homeowners must be cautious when they are conducting home remodeling. If you have any indication that your home has lead based paint please have it tested to ensure that your home is safe from any harmful materials.
One of the Most Effective Treatments for Bedbugs
LA Times issued an article on these blood thirsty insects known to us as bedbugs http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bedbugs4-2009jan04,0,1108531.story. Bedbugs are truly turning into a nightmare for a lot of residents. We are increasingly receiving phone calls from home and building owners searching for a resolution. Most over the counter products aren’t working and it takes several visits from their local pest control companies before they see any results. That is why many people are turning to our ThermaPure Heat treatment that kills the bedbugs and their eggs with heat. ThermaPure Heat is one of the most effective treatments available today.
“My home was built in 1985 and has popcorn acoustic
ceilings. Could these possibly contain asbestos?”
I recently received this question from a concerned homeowner. I thought I would share our response with everyone because I know that this is a question that does not have a clear straight forward answer.
“Hello - My home was built in 1985 and has popcorn acoustic
ceilings. Could these possibly contain asbestos? I have read
conflicting information on the internet as to when building materials
and paints containing asbestos were banned. Thanks for your help.”
According to California law, anything that is sprayed or troweled on a substrate needs to be tested.
Below is a list provided by The State of Colorado that I found useful which applies to the US as a whole.
BANS ON USAGE of certain asbestos-containing materials (ACM):
* 1973, banned spray-applied surfacing ACM for fireproofing/insulating purposes.
* 1975, banned installation of wet-applied and pre-formed (molded) asbestos pipe insulation, and banned installation of pre-formed (molded) asbestos block insulation on boilers and hot water tanks (thermal system insulation).
* 1978, banned spray-applied Surfacing ACM for “decorative” purposes.
* 1989, and reconfirmed in 1993, banned six asbestos-containing product use categories:
Corrugated paper,
Rollboard,
Commercial paper,
Specialty paper,
Flooring felt, and
New uses of asbestos.
*1990, prohibits spray-on application of materials containing more than 1% asbestos to buildings, structures, pipes, and conduits unless the material is encapsulated with a bituminous or resinous binder during spraying and the materials are not friable after drying.
The following uses of asbestos-containing material were not banned:
*Troweled-on surfacing asbestos-containing material.
*Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat sheet, asbestos clothing, pipeline wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement shingle, millboard, asbestos-cement pipe, automatic transmission components, clutch facings, friction materials, disc brake pads, drum brake linings, brake blocks, gaskets, non-roofing coatings, and roof coatings.
The EPA still allows, on equipment and machinery, spray-on application of materials that contain more than 1% asbestos where the asbestos fibers in the materials are encapsulated with a bituminous or resinous binder during spraying and the materials are not friable after drying; or for friable materials, where either no visible emissions are discharged to the outside air from spray-on application, or specified methods are used to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before they escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Owens, Bill, “Asbestos Bans” Online Posting
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/asbestos/asbestosbans.pdf
Ashes and debris from the current wildfires affects the air that you breathe. Having your air ducts cleaned can help improve the quality of air in your home.
With all the current wildfires here in California many people are suffering from ashes and debris which affects the air that they are breathing. Here at Alliance we want to offer our customers clean air. Alliance has always been known for our quality work in asbestos abatement and mold remediation but are often forgotten when it comes to air-duct cleaning, that is until now. We are receiving phone calls from all different directions whether it is an insurance adjuster, a general contractor, or a home owner requesting to breathe clean air once again. By cleaning your air-ducts you create a free flowing ventilation system which could potentially be a source for a variety of contaminants that could have severe health effects. The removal of contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as a plan to improve your indoor air quality and wellbeing.
Here at Alliance we recently completed a bed bug job that was conducted at a local hostel in Los Angeles
As a kid I remember my mom putting me to bed and saying “sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite” at that time it was just a figure of speech, you really didn’t put much thought into it because bed bugs were almost non existent here in the US. Bed Bugs were nearly eradicated by the chemical DDT that was used in the 40’s and 50’s that later became a mass produced pesticide. DDT was banned from the US in the 70’s due to environmental concerns. In the last few years bed bug infestation has increased by 500%. Experts cannot put a certain reason on this drastic increase. It could be from the rise of international travelers, or the use of less toxic pesticides. Many hotels and hostels have become quite familiar with the bed bug phenomenon.
With our technology called ThermaPure Heat we have the capability of heating an entire structure at a temperature so high that it will kill pest, bacteria, odors, and mold.
Here at Alliance we recently completed a bed bug job that was conducted at a local hostel in Los Angeles. Because of the high rate of international travelers that this particular hostel sees on a regular basis, there is almost no way of preventing the occurrence of bed bugs. Bed bugs were found in the mattresses, in the sofas, and the carpet. We heated the structure to 140 degrees using our ThermaPure Heat technology and were able to kill off the bed bugs as well as their larvae. ThermaPure Heat gives us the capability of killing bed bugs without using harmful chemicals that may harm the environment. It is one of the safest pest control methods used today.
Dryer Vents, one of the leading causes of house fires.
Dryer vents are one of today’s leading causes of house fires. Lint, dirt, and dust rapidly accumulate throughout the vents which in turn can lead to insufficient airflow that can cause the dryer to overheat. This is a routine maintenance that is often overlooked. This annual or semi-annual maintenance can drastically reduce the possibility of a fire. Dryer vent cleaning is an easy inexpensive way to keep your family safe and your dryer working. Visit our dryer vent page for more information at http://www.alliance-enviro.com/dryer_vent_cleaning/.
A day old question that I encounter quite frequently is “which type of mold is considered bad mold?” After questioning professionals that have been in the business for 10+ years I get the same answer, “Every type of mold in large quantities can be harmful”. Those who have allergies, asthmas, or are sensitive to chemicals are more susceptible to illnesses caused by mold.
The infamous Stachybotrys chartarum also known as “Black Mold” is one of the most highly recognized forms of mold. The reason being Stachybotrys may produce compounds that have toxic properties such as mycotoxins which in turn can be harmful to ones health. Other common molds that can compromise your well being are Aspergillus and Cladosporium. These are just a few of the common household molds that are commonly found in the home.
The bottom line: Mold can be potentially unhealthy for anyone inside a building. Therefore it is always best to identify and correct the issue before any health conditions occur.
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Susan F.
Buena Park, CA
June 2007
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