Resources

ASBESTOS

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) - This agency based in San Francisco regulates the entire Bay Area and is an extension of the EPA. As in their name, they regulate the air quality in and around properties to ensure the general public is safe from airborne pollutants. BAAQMD regulates the handling, work practices, and disposal of asbestos containing materials at greater than >1% content.

BAAQMD also requires Homeowners and Contractors performing renovations and demolitions of structures in excess of >100 square feet to obtain a J# authorization before they proceed. For more information on this requirement please visit BAAQMD website at https://www.baaqmd.gov/permits/asbestos.

Is someone performing renovation or demolition in your neighborhood where you suspect that asbestos testing wasn't performed beforehand pollutting the air quality and contaminating the grounds? Gather contractor information, name on work trucks or sign on fence, take photos, get address, and go online (link below): https://permits.baaqmd.gov/aq#/complaints/complaint-overview or call (415) 749-5168. You can also contact Cal-OSHA at (510) 794-2521.

Cal-OSHA regulates occupational exposure to asbestos containing construction materials when asbestos is present at greater than >0.10%. This agency regulates the handling, work practices, and disposal of asbestos. Cal-OSHA regulations apply to company employees or workers. Cal-OSHA requires asbestos licensed and registered contractors to perform work when asbestos materials are disturbed at >100 square feet. For more information on Cal-OSHA requirements please viisit their website at https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1529.html.

Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates hazardous waste requirements associated with generating, transporting and disposing of asbestos waste. DTSC classifies asbestos-containing material as hazardous waste if it is “friable” and contains one percent (1.0%) or more asbestos as hazardous waste. A friable waste is one that can be reduced to a powder or dust under hand pressure when dry.

Asbestos is an airborne hazard, so the rules and regulations that describe the proper handling and packaging of asbestos are found in Federal and State air quality regulations. The packaging required by in those regulations satisfies those of DTSC. Check with your local air pollution control district to see if there are additional packaging requirements for your region. For more information on DTSC requirements please visit their website at https://dtsc.ca.gov/managing-asbestos-waste-fact-sheet/.

CSLB - Contractors State License Board of California requires contractors to be licensed, but also if they propose to remove asbestos in quantities >100 square feet they must be asbestos registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOSH). To check if a contractor has active asbestos license please visit CSLB website at https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx.

LEAD

ASBESTOS

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) - has enacted landmark legislation to prevent childhood lead poisoning. This legislation has established the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch (CLPPB), a children's environmental health program offering multi-layered solutions to this complex problem. For more information on CDPH Lead regulatory requirements visit their website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/CLPPBhome.aspx.

Cal-OSHA regulates occupational exposure to lead. These regulations apply to contractors and their employees or workers. For more information on Cal-OSHA lead regulatory requirements please visit their website at https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1532_1.html.

EPA - Enviornmental Protection Agency has lead renovation, repair, and painting program. This program regulates any renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust. EPA requires that RRP projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and preschools built before 1978 be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. Generally, EPA’s Lead RRP rule does not apply to homeowners doing RRP projects in their own homes. However, it does apply if you hire a contractor to do RRP work or rent all or part of your home, operate a child care center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper). For more information on this EPA reqquirement please visit their website at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/documents/renovaterightbrochurecolor.pdf.

Is someone performing renovation or demolition in your neighborhood where you suspect that lead testing wasn't performed beforehand contaminating the grounds and creating lead hazards? Gather contractor information, name on work trucks or sign on fence, take photos, get address and visit website at https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/report-renovation-repair-and-painting-concern-epas-pacific-southwest#form.

The Real Estate Lead Disclosure Rule requires that those who sell or rent pre-1978 homes do the following:

Provide the federal “Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home” brochure;
Provide a federal lead warning statement; and
Share information about lead-based paint identified at the property.

In addition, unless waived, buyers are permitted ten days to inspect the property for lead-based paint. For complete details, see EPA's Lead Disclosure Rule. If you have concerns about the Lead Disclosure Rule and want to report please visit website at https://www.epa.gov/lead/forms/report-real-estate-lead-disclosure-rule-concern-epas-pacific-southwest.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - This agency has requirements for the Notification, Evaluation, and Reduction of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Federally Owned Residential Property and Housing Receiving Federal Assistance. This agency also has requirements for the Disclosure of Known Lead-Based Paint and/or Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing. For more information on HUD reqquirements please visit their website at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/enforcement/regulations.

MOLD

ASBESTOS

ABATEMENT/REMOVAL Contractor(s)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.

However, there are industry standards for mold that establish if mold concentrations are safe and acceptable. For more information on the EPA recommendations pertaining to mold you can visit their website at https://www.epa.gov/mold.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Mold can be found indoors and outdoors all year round. Exposure symptoms include nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing. The following materials can help you identify and prevent hazards, and comply with OSHA requirements. For more information on OSHA recommendations pertaining to mold you can visit their website at https://www.osha.gov/mold.

Mold Disclosure Requirements in California

Code §§ 1102-1102.17 (2022).) California law requires landlords to provide tenants with a written disclosure, prior to signing a rental agreement, when they know, or have reason to know, that mold exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat.

The California Health & Safety Code (HSC §17920.3) says that when dampness or visible mold (or certain other conditions) in a home is a hazard to the health of occupants, the home is substandard and the property owner must fix the conditions.

California's implied warranty of habitability requires a landlord to keep the premises in a condition fit for the occupation of human beings. Landlords must substantially comply with housing and building codes/standards that materially affect a tenant's safety and health.

MOLD EXPOSURE TREATMENT

1. BioReset Medical - www.bioresetmedical.com

2. Dr. Husbands - https://www.drhusbands.com/moldillness/

3. Anatara Medicine - https://www.anataramedicine.com/environmental-toxins/best-mold-exposure-treatment-doctor-san-franscisco-ca

MOLD LITIGATION LAW FIRMS

1. The Regan Law Firm -

www.thereganfirm.com

2. Bracamontes & Vlasak Law Firm - https://www.bvlawsf.com/toxic-torts/toxic-mold/#:~:text=Contact%20A%20San%20Francisco%20Toxic%20Mold%20Attorney%20Immediately&text=BV%20Law%20serves%20clients%20in,6777.