9 harmful building materials that should not be in your home
When building a house or during the next renovation, many of us think little about the fact that many materials used by humans carry a potential threat to health. And if with some of them everything is more or less clear, then the presence of PVA in this list is extremely surprising.
Let's take a closer look at what building materials should not be in your home so that there is no risk to the health and life of those living in it.
The content of the article
Polyvinyl chloride
It is a colorless, transparent plastic, thermoplastic polymer of vinyl chloride. Used everywhere:
- for electrical insulation of wires and cables;
- in the manufacture of suspended ceilings, linoleum, furniture edges, washable wallpaper;
- as a sealant;
- the main material for the manufacture of metal-plastic windows and much more.
The main danger of polyvinyl chloride is that when heated it can release carbon monoxide and toxic organochlorine compounds.
Chipboard (chipboard)
Chipboard can now be found in almost every home and is used for interior decoration and furniture making. At a temperature of +21°, organic aromatic compounds (phenol) contained in the slabs begin to evaporate.If the surface of the chipboard is impregnated with mixtures that poorly allow air to pass through, their concentration underneath becomes not only harmful, but even downright dangerous. Phenol has long been recognized as a carcinogen, actively affecting the central nervous system. It is advisable to leave new furniture made of chipboard for some time in the fresh air, disassembled, for ventilation.
Expanded polystyrene (aka foam plastic)
Expanded polystyrene is most often used as a thermal insulation and structural material. In addition to its high fire hazard, experts note that over time it decomposes and begins to release isocyanites - dangerous toxic substances. In addition, it is possible to release styrene, an active toxin that has a detrimental effect on blood vessels and blood.
Asbestos
This mineral is widely used in construction. Roofing coverings, pipes, facade slabs, bricks, mastic, sealants, lining compounds and much more are made from it.
At the same time, it has long been proven that asbestos microparticles released into the air - carcinogen upon contact with the respiratory tract. It causes the formation of malignant tumors when inhaled and can provoke the development of lung diseases - irreversible and incurable.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified asbestos in the first, most dangerous category of its list of carcinogens.
Synthetic adhesives and varnishes
The greatest danger comes from paints and varnishes containing lead, copper, benzene and toluene. Entering the human body through the respiratory tract, skin and digestive tract, they negatively affect the general condition of a person.In addition, metal-containing paints can cause attacks of shortness of breath and bronchial asthma, irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and sinuses, dizziness, nausea, and loss of coordination. In this case, poisoning can occur not only at the time of applying the paint, but also after it has completely dried.
It should be remembered that during repairs it is very important to use personal protective equipment: a respirator, safety glasses and a suit, gloves. Also, when choosing products, pay attention to the labeling of paints and varnishes. The safest are those that are labeled as “BC”, “VD” and “VA”.
Mineral wool
It is often used as a thermal insulation material, but it poses a greater danger if a layer of mineral wool is laid not on the outside, but on the inside of the house.
The potential danger of mineral wool thermal insulation products as a source of carcinogenic factors - dust and phenol-formaldehyde resins - has served as the basis for many studies of its effects on humans and animals. Today, the use of mineral wool in any form is prohibited only in Germany, but its dangers are known throughout the world.
Polyurethane foam
This is a group of gas-filled plastics based on polyurethanes. Their scope of use is very wide, construction is no exception. However, the starting components include a highly toxic compound - toluene diisocyanate, which is very toxic in high concentrations. The most dangerous consequences are death or permanent disability.
However, do not be afraid, because polyurethane foam can be found in every home. The material itself is quite stable, but its use indoors is undesirable, especially in large quantities.
PVA
Included in carpet and various synthetic floor coverings. Over time, it begins to release dioxin, a dangerous carcinogen that has a very negative impact on human health. PVA can cause cell mutation and the formation of malignant tumors.
However, do not think that ordinary children's crafts made with glue have the same effect. The danger lurks only in those places where PVA has been used in large quantities.
Sand-lime brick
This building material can become a source of radon - an inert radioactive gas, which, when entering the human body, contributes to processes that lead to oncological pathologies. Radon is a toxin and carcinogen. The decay of radon nuclei and its daughter isotopes causes microburns in tissues. The respiratory system is at greatest risk.
This article was written by a complete ignoramus who regularly received only one grade in chemistry at school, an ONE. It is enough to look at popular scientific literature, and it will become clear that radon can be contained in any inorganic material, polystyrene foam cannot release isocyanates, because it does not contain NITROGEN, etc., etc.
Sincerely, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, radiochemist, organic and inorganic scientist. I work in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry
“... At the same time, it has long been proven that asbestos microparticles released into the air are a carcinogenic substance when they enter the respiratory tract. ..." - “proven” by the international corporation DuPont after its invention of the fire-resistant Nomex fabric. It was necessary to promote it to the markets, so they exaggerated the harm of asbestos. Now this company is engaged in GMO products, maybe honey will be harmful. The second thing that should be taken into account about the dangers of asbestos is that it is in a bound state in building materials.
Asbestos can be natural or synthetic. Natural is cheaper and safe, but its deposits are only found in Russia.The rest of the world uses synthetic, more expensive and carcinogenic.
Thank you. Otherwise you get the feeling that you need to look for another planet!)))
The harm of asbestos is greatly exaggerated by the aggressive advertising campaign of the DuPont Corporation. They developed the fire-resistant Nomex fabric, and to implement it, it was necessary to remove the main competitor - asbestos. So asbestos ended up on the black list. And now DuPont has set its sights on GMO products, let’s see who their competitors will be now.
Yes, now any chemistry has become dangerous! My son works on chemical tankers. As the owner of a rare blood group (4, Rh negative), he is a donor. He comes to his “blood” center to donate blood. The doctor asks: where does he work, what was transported? The son informs and names the technical name of the chemical product transported by the tanker.The doctor leaves to make inquiries, returns and states: “You will have to wait two weeks! The chemical you were transporting is a “chemical warfare agent”!? But this is the chemical from which various detergents for Russia are made in Finland! It is in Finland, near the Russian border, that there is a chemical production facility that supplies Russia with chemical products. And not only Russia. Naturally, any modern household chemicals must be stored away from sunlight, heat and other factors that contribute to their decomposition into original ingredients that are dangerous to people.