When Environmental Problems Affect Homes

At all levels, housing and the environment are inextricably linked. The common theme is to lower environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of a house. Omotola Oloruntobi, in this report, says that unsuspecting residents who live in close proximity to a source of pollution can feel the effects of residual contamination both in their well-being and in their wallet.
e all want to live and work in communities that are clean, green and attractive. Increasingly, more people are striving to lead “green” lives just as available land in the country is shrinking. Urban sprawl, the trend of redeveloping contaminated properties, and a push for affordable housing are on the rise. As a result, an increasing number of homes are being built on or near polluted land. When this happens, experts say, health and property values could suffer.
Although high-profile cases regularly make headlines, our investigation showed that homebuyers and tenants rarely screen potential neighbourhoods for environmental risks.
 Pollutants from current or former industrial activity, solvents from dry cleaning operations, oil from leaking underground storage tanks, and even chemicals from illegal drug manufacturing houses, can seep into soil and groundwater where it could create unhealthy living conditions.
Likewise, chemicals in the ground can travel through the soil as vapours and enter homes through foundation cracks and gaps around utility lines, negatively affecting indoor air quality.
Experts say that the financial and emotional burden associated with residential contamination could loom large. The health risks associated with pollution vary based on the individual exposed, the chemical involved, and the dose and length of exposure.
In extreme cases, they argued, ingesting certain hazardous wastes could be fatal. More commonly, exposure could lead to eye irritation, respiratory problems, headache, and nausea.
“Long-term exposure to contaminants, even at low levels, usually is more serious and can lead to organ damage, birth defects, central nervous system diseases, and an increased rate of cancer,” said Doctor Eugene Adigwe.
“In addition to its negative impact on human health, contamination could drive down property values and stigmatise neighbourhoods, especially if news of the pollution makes headlines. For obvious reasons, tainted properties are difficult, if not impossible, to sell. In extreme cases, homebuyers even have been held liable for cleanup, which can cost many thousands of naira.
 “Just looking at what is in the neighbourhood could save a lot of headaches down the road,” Kenneth Odigwe,an estate surveyor and valuer submitted. “Buyers need to be aware of environmental issues at residential properties,” he added.
Environmental disasters do not recognise man-made borders, and threaten the legacy left to future generations of a clean and supportive environment. Because of the interdependency of earth ecosystems international co-operation is vital to prevent and respond to relieve quickly and effectively the effects of environmental disasters.” Joyce Oni, an environmentalist also added.
To protect themselves, homebuyers and tenants are advised to consider the potential for contamination when a home is located on or near an existing or former industrial area; near an existing gas station; near an existing dry cleaner; near an existing refuse dump; near an existing telecom mast; near an existing public toilet /urinary and abattoir.