Pollutants in the Home

Asbestos, mold, formaldehyde — the hidden legacies in buildings, how to spot them, and when to call the pros.

Homes built before the 1980s can contain asbestos. Where the fiber lurks, when it becomes dangerous, and how a lab test settles it.

That "new" smell is made of volatile compounds like formaldehyde and solvents. When off-gassing becomes a problem and what actually helps.

Mold is a moisture problem, not a cleaning problem. When you can handle it yourself, when the pros take over — and how to keep it from coming back.

Every building era has its typical legacies — from lead paint to asbestos. What to check before you sign, and what an inspection costs.