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TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN THE HOME

Pentachlorophenol, better known as PCP, has been used in wood preservatives and applied to wooden walls and beams.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls PCB, in open systems, however, can mainly be found in sealants and in fire retardant paints and coatings. The use of PCB as building material has been prohibited since the years 1982 to 1986, depending on the country, whereas PCP was prohibited in 1989 only. Both PCB and PCP are toxic chemicals. They are still present in buildings that were built or renovated between 1955 and 1990.

Asbestos should be considered as a further potential risk to human health. The use of asbestos was prohibited many years ago. Although some of this material has been removed over the years, there are many tonnes of asbestos still present in buildings. Typical sources are: Façade materials, shingles, roofing and floor tiles, acoustical materials, pipe and furnace insulation materials, electrical installations or flower pots. Asbestos is one of the most disastrous building/insulation materials of modern times. Asbestos fibres easily become airborne and can pose a risk to health if they are inhaled. Inhalation can lead to serious diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lungs or lower digestive tract) and asbestosis.

People are particularly at risk if asbestos materials are treated in an inexpert way during maintenance or repair works, e.g. through ignorance: If asbestos floor coverings are removed improperly, a large number of fibres can be released and pose a risk to the people’s health. The same happens if asbestos flower pots, shingles or roofing tiles are cut or broken. In order to minimise the risks, it is advisable to identify possible asbestos materials « within one’s own four walls» as early as possible. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health published a brochure in March 2003 which helps to identify asbestos materials in living and working areas. This brochure also contains information on the hazard potential of different asbestos materials.

If toxic substances could be present in private, public or commercial buildings, then the buildings should be checked by an expert. Such checks comprise: Inspection of the building, possible interviews, random samples and analysis. Depending on the scope of work and the size of the object, such specific checks cost between CHF 1’500.00 and 3’500.00.