Train derailments, such as the recent disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, bring unfortunate but necessary attention to the threat that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose when released via toxic plume. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, “approximately 20 rail cards were listed as carrying hazardous materials. Cars containing vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether are known to have been and continue to be released into the air, surface soils, and surface waters.”

Every year, there are at least 100 cases of Legionnaire’s disease in the United States alone, and scientists estimate that number is much higher—many don’t get diagnosed. The state health department or CDC launches an investigation whenever individuals are diagnosed with Legionnaires. Legionnaire’s disease is directly caused by legionella bacteria in water systems. The hotels, restaurants, resorts, and housing complexes are now liable for endangering the health of their customers and tenants. 

Lead contamination continues to be a growing crisis throughout the United States. The usage of lead in nearly all construction materials before the 1980s has contributed to the difficulty abating this issue. Replacing pipes, paint, and other materials is expensive and time-consuming. Though after the Flint crisis made headlines, many states began to replace their crumbling infrastructure, residents in various states have reported crisis levels of lead in their homes, along with multiple health issues.

Toxic mold cases began to make waves in the 90’s and early 2000s, long after mold exposure was declared a health hazard. Various individuals and families sought legal reprise after suffering adverse health effects and began winning millions. Toxic mold continues to be an issue in many older buildings, homes, and construction sites, which is why managers are often advised to be vigilant and immediately hire professional mold remediation services. 

Mold toxicity presents in different ways depending on the individual exposed and the type of mold they are exposed to. Mold is more commonly linked to physical ailments, such as respiratory issues, fatigue, and headaches, but some research has shown that it can also present itself in a number of alarming psychiatric symptoms.