ASHTON PARC APTS EPA POSTER CHILD?
REFLECTION
Upon completion of the Home Environmental Health and Safety tool, I can undoubtedly state that my apartment complex is environmentally safe and sound. This tool has a brief description section for each set of questions. This information educates the user on the importance of home environmental safety and risks associated. I researched the history of Ashton Parc Apartments in public records and found the complex was built in 2008. The complex is located in Natomas, a new and developing area west of Sacramento, . Knowing the date mycomplex was built is important because homes built prior to 1978 potentially may expose occupants to lead items including paints and piping. Ashton Parc has no basements, so the exposure to radon and carbon monoxide is low (unless you own an attached garage where idling becomes a problem). Thankfully, these apartments are fairly new, very well kept, and meet EPA standards. Personally, I use a lot of strong cleaners in my house. The tool helped me understand that this is a Though this complex passes most of the assessment tool questions, I have noticed a couple questionable items (not on the assessment). From what I understand, these items are known environmental risks. First the, landlord hires pest removal agencies to spray pesticides around the buildings once a week. These pesticides can be harmful- potentially causing cancer or birth defects. I had to sign a waiver apart of my lease stating my acknowledgment of the dangers. Alarmingly, I always see kids playing in the grass and brush. The assessment tool does not cover outside spraying nor the harm it can cause. Secondly, I have noticed a couple residents who work on their cars frequently leaving toxic chemicals and spills on the pavement where children play and drips into drains. I wonder if this poses a significant threat. Overall Ashton Parc is a very nice and environmentally safe place to live. No indoor threats to speak of.
Hey Aubrey!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you live in an environmentally friendly place that does their best to decrease tenants exposures to harmful chemicals. I never thought to think about the potential hazards that come from people who work on their cars. My father is a mechanic and growing up he often fixed cars in the garage or on our driveway. He would also use powerful cleaners to get the oil stains off the driveway and garage floor washing and scrubbing them away with the hose. These chemicals and oils, like you say, run down and get into the sewage system which then leads to our drinking water or other sources. I feel that in small quantities the threat is minimal, but we know that a lot of people work on their cars at home and that over time it adds up.
Glad to hear you live in the picture of safety in SAC! The idea behind the use of pesticides though is terrifying though, especially b/c of the kids rolling up in there.
ReplyDeleteI like that you saw what was not identified on the list because I also flagged mold being an issue in my house, which the list also did not cover. As comprehensive as it is, it looks like there is always something trying to kill us.
Hey Aubrey!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you live in a healthy home environment in Sac. I think you bring up a great point that we should be thinking more about the pesticides that are sprayed around our homes and the potential health effects that they have on children playing outside! It's unfortunate to think that we, as a society, aren't as concerned as we should be with regard to pesticides around our homes.