What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be positively identified only with a special type of microscope. There are several types of asbestos fibers. In the past, asbestos was added to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation…
Can the electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) to which people are routinely exposed cause health effects? What are sources of EMFs, and when are they dangerous? An “electromagnetic field” is a broad term which includes electric fields generated by charged particles in motion, and radiated fields, such as TVs, radios, hair dryers and microwave ovens. Electric fields…
by Nick Gromicko July 2010 A foreclosure is a process by which a homeowner loses their property, usually to a lender or local government, for failure to pay agreed-upon taxes, payments or fees. Common reasons for foreclosures include: default on loan repayment. The most common way that residences are foreclosed on is through default…
Inspecting Aluminum Wiring by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard Between approximately 1965 and 1973, single-strand aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systems due to the sudden escalating price of copper. After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, inherent weaknesses were discovered in the metal that lead to its…
Electricity: Origins, Consumption and Costs by Nick Gromicko April 2010 Electricity — the flow of electrical power or charge — is a basic product of nature and one of the most widely used forms of energy in homes. It is generated from energy sources found in the environment, such as sunlight, coal and wind. Houses…
Electrical Safety Electricity is an essential part of our lives. However, it has the potential to cause great harm. Electrical systems will function almost indefinitely, if properly installed and not overloaded or physically abused. Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires…
Electrical Service Panels by Nick Gromicko Electrical panels are boxes that house circuit breakers, which are are safety devices that stop the electrical current if it exceeds the safe level for some portion of the home electrical system. An unfortunate snake entered this service panel and was electrocuted. The resulting mess may make the components…
