It’s easy to get so caught up in the dangers associated with asbestos that you might forget about other hazardous building materials we should be avoiding. Sure, asbestos is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths worldwide each year, but it’s also not the only thing we should put measures in place for to keep ourselves safe.

Whether you work in the construction industry or are a DIYer eager to upskill and stay informed, you might like to learn more about the following hazardous building materials that should be avoided at all costs. 

Asbestos

We can’t talk about hazardous building materials to be avoided without discussing the natural mineral asbestos. While not dangerous when in excellent condition, asbestos-containing materials can become hazardous to health when damaged or altered in any way.

Once the ACM becomes friable, tiny asbestos fibres can be breathed in before working their way into the lining of your lungs. Once there, they irritate the pleura and potentially cause gene mutations that lead to cancer. Asbestos also causes other illnesses, such as asbestosis and pleural plaques. 

Lead

It’s hard to imagine that what we used to paint our homes with could be hazardous to our health, but that’s the reality with lead-based paint. Lead is a chemical element that used to be present in most paint products manufactured before 1965. While it’s still present in special-purpose paint, it’s clearly labelled to protect people who use it.

In most situations, paint poses minimal danger to human health when it’s in excellent condition and left untouched. However, it can cause severe illnesses in adults and children when removed in an unsafe manner.

You’re at risk of lead poisoning when exposed to paint dust, paint flakes, or lead in soil from paint, and this poisoning accounts for nearly half of the two million lives lost in 2019 due to chemical exposure, according to the World Health Organisation. 

While some people experience constipation, appetite loss, difficulty sleeping, and stomach pains, some people don’t experience symptoms at all. If left untreated, lead poisoning can result in brain damage and even death.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Most of us are familiar with polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. We use this product from the petrochemical industries for our electrical cables, water and sewer pipes, gutters, roof membranes, door and window frames, and much more. According to the Authority On Sustainable Building, approximately 20% of all plastics made in NZ are for construction purposes such as these.

Most people won’t have any problems with PVC products. They are lightweight, hold up to moisture well, and are easy to keep clean. However, PVC isn’t perfect. Toxic substances are used during manufacturing, and there are health concerns for manufacturers working with vinyl chloride monomer. It’s also important to note that burning PVC products can release toxic gases into the environment, putting people at potential risk.

Flame Retardants

You might assume that flame retardants are crucial in building materials and furniture in your home, especially as they slow down or stop the spread of flames. However, if Fire and Emergency toxicity reports are anything to go by, the negatives can sometimes outweigh the positives regarding health hazards.

Toxic smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death and injury in building fires, and using chemical additives and synthetic materials in building materials is believed to be exacerbating the issue.

When furniture flammability requirements were introduced initially, brominated and chlorinated halogenated flame retardants were the most commonly used because they were widely available and affordable. However, after the environmental and health effects were realised, they were classed as global contaminants.

Even though we now have alternatives, there is growing evidence to suggest the benefits of some flame-retardants, particularly those with halogens, might not outweigh the health risks.

Silica

We’re not nearly as well-informed about silica as we should be. Silica is naturally occurring in concrete, bricks, tiles, sand, and stone, and it’s known to cause cancer when inhaled through construction or demolition works involving blasting, dressing, cutting, and grinding. Long-term exposure to silica can cause lung cancer and infections.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

It’s nearly impossible to avoid volatile organic compounds. VOCs are human-made or naturally occurring chemicals that are present in the air. In the building and construction industry, they’re common in protective coatings, adhesives, paint, solvents, synthetic fibres, and plastic.

Sometimes, they cause people to experience memory impairment, eye and respiratory tract irritation, and even kidney, central nervous system, and liver damage. As VOCs have also been known to cause cancer, they are one of the most hazardous building materials.

Take Care With Hazardous Materials

You won’t always be able to prevent exposure to hazardous materials. However, knowledge can be power if you work in the building industry or are undertaking house renovations. The more protective measures you take, such as hiring asbestos removalists during your renovation project, the safer you and your loved ones might be.