From long-standing worries regarding the use of lead and asbestos to recent research into carcinogenic issues related to the use of plastics in construction, there is growing concern regarding the potential toxic effects of building materials on health. Toxicity of building materials provides an essential guide to this important problem and its solutions. Beginning with an overview of the material types and potential health hazards presented by building materials, the book goes on to consider key plastic materials. Materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds, are then explored in depth, before a review of wood preservatives and mineral fibre-based building materials. Issues related to the use of radioactive materials and materials that release toxic fumes during burning are the focus of subsequent chapters, followed by discussion of the range of heavy metals, materials prone to mould growth, and antimicrobials. Finally, Toxicity of building materials concludes by considering the potential hazards posed by waste based/recycled building materials, and the toxicity of nanoparticles. With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Toxicity of building materials is an invaluable tool for all civil engineers, materials researchers, scientists and educators working in the field of building materials. Provides an essential guide to the potential toxic effects of building materials on health Comprehensively examines materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds Later chapters focus on issues surrounding the use of radioactive materials and materials that release toxic fumes during burning

Advances in the Toxicity of Construction and Building Materials presents the potential and toxic effects of building materials on human health, along with tactics on how to minimize exposure. Chapters are divided into four sections covering the toxicity of indoor environments, fire toxicity, radioactive materials, and toxicity from plastics, metals, asbestos, nanoparticles and construction wastes. Key chapters focus on the reduction of chemical emissions in houses with eco-labelled building materials and potential risks posed by indoor pollutants that may include volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), radon, NOx, asbestos and nanoparticles. Known illnesses and reactions that can be triggered by these toxic building materials include asthma, itchiness, burning eyes, skin irritations or rashes, nose and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, reproductive impairment, disruption of the endocrine system, impaired child development and birth defects, immune system suppression, and even cancer. Provides an essential guide to the potential toxic effects of building materials on human health Comprehensively examines materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds Presents coverage on fire toxicity and an evaluation of the radioactivity of building materials Includes several cases studies throughout and addresses current international standards

This book deals with the present adverse effects of using precarious building materials on the ecology and human health. Also, the detailed discussions on the novel and greener construction materials and their utilization as an alternative to the conventional harmful existing methods and materials are also presented in the subsequent chapters. This book helps to fill the research gaps in the existing prior-art knowledge in the field of sustainable construction and green building materials and methods giving due importance to ecology and health, specifically to the fields of sustainable structural engineering, sustainable geotechnical engineering, sustainable road engineering, etc. This book helps in achieving a sustainable environment through possible adoption of innovative and ecological construction practices. Hence, this book acts as a practical workbook, mainly for the academicians and practicing engineers who are willing to work toward the consecrated building industry. It is a well-established fact that the constructions of the engineering structures consume more and more earth resources than any other human activities in the world. In addition, the construction-related activities will produce several million tons of greenhouse gases, toxic emissions, water pollutants, and solid wastes. This creates a huge impact on environment and causes severe health issues on humans and animals. It is thus important to create an eco-friendly construction environment which can satisfy the ecological and health requirements.

The construction industry is bombarded with ever-changing building materials—components of which are more and more difficult, if not impossible, to identify. Building material emissions have been implicated as a major source of indoor air pollution, and toxic gases, often unidentified, are generated in building fires. Building Materials: Product Emission and Combustion Health Hazards undertakes the task of identifying building materials emission and combustion health hazards. This practical guide introduces the complex world of polymers commonly used in building materials along with plasticizers and additives that are not regulated by OSHA. It also explores the topic of building materials as they relate to function and their emissions/combustion products along with thermal decomposition and combustion products as they relate to fire first responders. Engaging environmental professionals, construction management firms, architects, first respondents, and students, this valuable reference delivers a comprehensive spectrum of knowledge needed to face the challenges of managing building materials in the twenty-first century. Awareness is the first line of defense!

Covering the dangerous properties of 1,448 common building materials, this reference guide is similar to VNRs classic Saxs Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, except that the information is tailored specifically to the building industry. This first edition of Building Materials: Dangerous Properties provides users with access to comprehensive health, hazard, and safety data on materials used in waterproofing, insulating, fireproofing, roofing, painting, plastering, building and treating of floors, surface coating, and more. Data is cross-referenced for uses in the building industry and organized according to the Construction Specification Institute’s 16 division Master-Format. At a time when building projects are increasingly reviewed by public agencies, whose job it is to protect public health, welfare, and property, Building Materials: Dangerous Properties makes it easy for architects, contractors, and builders to understand the potential impact of their projects on human health and the environment. In the face of increasing regulation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, this easy-to-use reference is designed to help professionals make decisions about which materials to use, store, and transport. Builders, manufacturers, and consultants who must minimize the impact of their projects or materials on the environment, secure a safe work environment, or reduce a client’s risk of costly liabilities such as sick-building syndrome, indoor air pollution, or chemical intolerance will find the information in Building Materials: Dangerous Properties invaluable. Cross-referenced five ways including synonym, Masterformat listing, product class, and CAS # for ease and speed of reference, the information compiled in Building Materials: Dangerous Properties saves users the time and frustration of searching through disparate material safety data sheets when critical data is needed. Chemical entries include: Toxicity data Physical and chemical properties Explosion limit Auto-ignition temperature Carcinogenic and reproductive effects Decomposition factors Special firefighting methods. Safety profile Melting point Flash point Consensus reports Fire and explosion risks Incompatibility data

Sustainability and Toxicity of Building Materials: Manufacture, Use and Disposal Stages provides a review of toxicity impacts from building materials, including the consideration of the toxicity in the extraction and manufacture of the materials and eventual dismantling and disposal. This book also offers the potential to stimulate future developments in this area, both in terms of knowledge-building and methods for future research. With the increasing emphasis on sustainable construction, it has become important to better understand the impacts of common materials. Civil and structural engineers, postgraduates, researchers as well as architects will find this book to be useful in selecting sustainable building materials.While many building and furnishing materials are safe to use, in recent decades, some have had to be redesigned due to recognition that they contained problem chemicals like formaldehyde. Unfortunately, there is still limited understanding of the toxic impacts of many synthetic chemicals which means that the risks in this area are not well recognized. With increasing interest in using limited resources more sustainably, definitions of what is sustainable should be expanded to move from the focus on energy and carbon impacts to also include more explicit consideration of toxicity impacts. Examines toxicity in the extraction and manufacturing of materials Presents the short and long-term toxicity effects of natural and manmade building materials Guides readers in selecting building materials that have a positive impact on the health of occupants and the environment

Following the highly successful format of the first edition, this book's main purpose is to guide construction industry professionals on how to select healthy and environmentally-friendly construction materials.