Home renovations are rewarding projects that transform your living space, but they can also pose surprising risks. It’s important to know what health hazards might be lurking in your home before you start tearing down walls or pulling up old floors.
Awareness is the first step in creating a safe renovation environment. Learn the health hazards to avoid in home renovations to protect you and your family during your next project.
Asbestos in Older Materials
Asbestos was a popular building material for much of the 20th century due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties. If your home was built before the 1980s, you might find asbestos in several places:
- Insulation
- Vinyl flooring
- Ceiling tiles
- Pipe cement
- Roofing shingles
These materials can release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air when disturbed. Inhaling these fibers can lead to serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Before you begin demolition, have a professional inspect your home for asbestos. Consider the cost of professional asbestos removal when calculating your renovation budget.
Lead-Based Paint
Lead was once a common ingredient in paint for homes, and it was not banned in the US until 1978. Sanding, scraping, or heating surfaces covered with lead-based paint can release toxic lead dust.
Lead exposure is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, as it can cause developmental issues and damage to the brain and nervous system. It can also lead to high blood pressure and kidney damage in adults.
You can buy a lead test kit from a hardware store, but consider hiring a certified inspector before you start your project for the most accurate results. If lead is present, use lead-safe work practices to control the dust and protect your family.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Renovations often involve plumbing work and can expose areas to moisture, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Mold can appear on drywall, wood, and insulation, and it releases spores that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems.
Control moisture during your renovation to prevent mold. Fix any leaks promptly, ensure good ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens, and use a dehumidifier in damp areas such as basements. Call a professional for remediation if you find a large area of mold, as improper cleaning can spread spores throughout your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Renovation materials such as paints, adhesives, and flooring often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can release harmful gases into the air. Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, eye irritation, and, in some cases, more serious health issues such as liver or kidney damage.
Choose low-VOC or VOC-free products for your renovation to limit exposure. Ensure proper ventilation while working, and allow new materials to off-gas before occupying the renovated space. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can also reduce airborne chemicals during and after your project.
Your Health Comes First
Renovating your home should improve your quality of life, not compromise your health. Take a proactive approach to avoid these common health hazards in home renovations, and ensure your project is safe from start to finish. Always prioritize safety testing and professional help when dealing with hazardous materials.
This article was written for WHN by Casey Cartwright, a passionate copyeditor highly motivated to provide compelling SEO content in the digital marketing space. Her expertise includes a vast range of industries, from highly technical to consumer and lifestyle-based, with an emphasis on attention to detail and readability.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos
https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead
https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm
