Even when you meticulously care for your home and land, the actions of your neighbors can impact your property value. Knowing the signs of contamination that may affect your property allows you to take action quickly and mitigate damage.
Review these common red flags of toxic pollution in a residential neighborhood.
Strong odors and stains
Unexpected smells create concern, especially when you did not notice these scents before. You might detect odors of rotten eggs, vinegar, acetone or ammonia. Waste smells can indicate problems with contamination from your neighbor’s sewer pipes or tank.
If you recently purchased a home, you might have an issue if you notice iodine-colored stains on the carpet, walls or even the soil.
Dead vegetation
When toxic chemicals enter the ground, it impacts the life of grass, flowers and other vegetation. If you notice brown, dead grass and plants in your neighbor’s yard or your own without explanation, pollution could be the cause. With a sewage leak, some areas may have greener, thicker vegetation than other areas of the lawn.
Equipment and paraphernalia
Drug manufacturing sites and other sources of toxic contamination typically have certain items in and around the property. You might notice garbage or debris that includes weight scales, tubes, rubber gloves, glass containers, propane tanks, piping and aluminum foil. These sites are also associated with an unusual amount of trash.
Pollution by neighbors can cause serious illness or injury to you and your family members. You may have legal recourse if you have experienced exposure to toxic chemicals, microorganisms or dangerous gases because of contamination by others in your community.