Protecting Your Family During Home Renovations

submitted by Brian Turner, health and safety blogger for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/brian/

As America’s housing market continues to suffer, home renovations are gaining momentum. Rather than putting their house up for sale, more people are choosing to renovate, remodel and re-purpose their homes. Homeowners are tearing down walls and gutting old homes to create modern, contemporary living spaces.

If you are one of the many homeowners who are tackling a home renovation, take heed: your house may be harboring toxic chemicals and building materials. No matter the scope or scale of your project, it can potentially expose you and your family to serious health dangers. Some hazards are obvious: pesticides, battery fluid or glue. Others are hidden in your home’s paint, insulation, pipes and thermostats.

Exposure to these toxic substances can cause serious, long-term health problems for you and your family. Extended or repeated exposure only increases your risks. If you are embarking on a do-it-yourself project to improve the livability of your home, not to mention its resale value, remember to protect yourself and others from potential health threats.

Insulation Dangers

Insulation may be the most dangerous material you can encounter during a home renovation, especially if you live in an older home. Houses that were built before the 1980s usually contain asbestos material for the insulation. A fibrous mineral substance, asbestos is durable, heat-resistant and flame-retardant. It is also a known carcinogen.

Asbestos exposure often leads to respiratory diseases. Among them are lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the lining of your body’s internal organs. Neither lung cancer nor mesothelioma carries a good prognosis. Most people who are diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers have short life expectancies.

If you think your home was insulated with asbestos material, contact a professional removal company. Solid, intact asbestos is generally not a health hazard but damaged asbestos must be repaired or removed by licensed contractors who are trained to handle the toxin.

House Paint Dangers

Lead and mercury are two known toxins in old house paint. The lead particles and mercury fumes in paint chips or dust can cause serious respiratory problems. They can also cause developmental and neurological disorders.

Mercury and lead are considered hazardous household waste, and you should use extreme caution when working with materials that contain these substances. Plastic sheeting can help contain these substances to your work area and keep them away from the rest of your house. Cleaning paint dust and chips with a damp rag can help prevent the disbursement of toxic particles into the air.

Chemical Dangers

The household products you need during a renovation can also pose health risks. From household bleach to cleansers and removal products, your house is home to numerous toxic chemicals. Each bottle or container poses a risk of spillage, and chemical interactions can harm you and your family members.

Old, under-the-sink chemical products, old furniture, renovation scraps and other clutter are items that require removal during a renovation. Call your city or county offices for instructions on proper disposal. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) lists hundreds of dangerous chemicals on its website. Knowledge and awareness of these various toxins can keep your family safe during a home renovation.