Other carcinogens in construction activities
Asbestos and silica dust (especially asbestos) are two well-known carcinogens in construction, which represent a high risk in demolition and other activities related to existing construction, such as remodels or reparations.
However, there are many more other substances to which exposure can potentially cause cancer, being the most common ones included in the table below.
Since these substances are not so commonly known, it is essential to educate about them, not only to protect the health of those who may potentially be exposed to them, but also to prevent these hazardous substances from contaminating the surrounding materials, thus invalidating their reuse and/or recycling, going against the principles of a circular economy.
| Substance | Definition | Applications |
| BTEX (Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) | BTEX is the term used to describe a group of chemicals which include: benzene, toluene (methylbenzene), ethylbenzene, and xylenes.
BTEX are usually colourless, sweet-smelling liquids that evaporate easily. They mix well with organic solvents but do not dissolve well in water (and may float on the surface before evaporating into the air).
| · Paints and lacquers · Thinners · Rubber products · Adhesives · Inks · Cosmetics and pharmaceutical products |
| CCA (Chromated copper arsenate) | Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a water-soluble inorganic pesticide most commonly used as a wood preservative to make it resistant to attack by termites and fungi that cause decay. | It is used widely in outdoor structures: · Decks · Playground equipment · Picnic tables · Garden-bed borders · Docks |
| FORMALDEHYDE | Formaldehyde is a common chemical in our environment. It is a colourless, flammable gas that has a distinct, strong smell.
Everyone is exposed to small amounts of formaldehyde in the air and in some foods and manufactured products. Small amounts of formaldehyde are naturally produced by plants, animals, and humans. | · Cabinets · Furniture · Plywood · Particleboard · Laminate flooring · Permanent press fabrics · Glues · Paints · Caulks · Pesticides · Cosmetics · Detergents |
| LEAD | Lead is a heavy metal represented with the symbol Pb.
Its principal characteristics are that it is a soft and malleable material, as well as it has a relatively low melting point.
These properties, combined with their relative abundance and low cost have made it a really used material for centuries, for very various applications. | · Paint · Ceramics · Pipes and plumbing materials · Solders · Gasoline · Batteries · Ammunition · Cosmetics |
| CHROME VI | Chrome VI, also known as hexavalent chromium, is the second most stable oxidation state of chromium. Rarely occurring naturally, most chrome VI compounds are manufactured by industrial processes. | · Pigment for textile dyes · Paints · Inks · Plastics · Corrosion inhibitors · Wood preservatives · Metal finishing and chrome plating · Leather tanning (ammonium dichromate). · As an impurity in Portland cement |
| ARSENIC | Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust.
It is classified as a metalloid and in its elemental form, it is a steel grey solid material.
However, in the environment, arsenic is combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, sulphur, or organic elements, being two general forms of arsenic: organic and inorganic: | · Industrial processes: It is used as an alloying agent, and in the processing of glass, pigments, textiles, paper, metal adhesives, wood preservatives, and ammunition. · Pesticides · Pharmaceutical activities and products · Food · Drinking water · Tobacco |
| NICKEL | Nickel is a very abundant natural element. Pure nickel is a hard, silvery-white metal. It can be combined with other metals, such as iron, copper, chromium, and zinc, to form alloys.
Additionally, nickel can combine with other elements such as chlorine, sulphur, and oxygen to form nickel compounds. Many nickel compounds dissolve easily in water and have a green colour. | · Alloys · Plating · Foundry · Batteries · Fertilizers · Pesticides · Fungicides |
| CADMIUM | Cadmium is a natural element in the earth’s crust. It is usually found as a mineral combined with other elements such as oxygen (cadmium oxide), chlorine (cadmium chloride), or sulphur (cadmium sulphate, cadmium sulphide).
All soils and rocks, including coal and mineral fertilizers, contain some cadmium. It is a metal that does not corrode easily, having many uses for that reason. | · Industrial paints · Pigments · Anti-fouling or anti-rust · Electroplated onto steel, nuts, bolts, and rivets · Batteries · Alloys · Silver solders · Metal coatings · Plastics |
Links:
Access the full guide here:
Help us grow!
If you have any suggestions about these contents, find any error or would like to make us aware of anything, please fill out the form below.
