Toxicity of Building Materials

Dr. F. Pacheco-Torgal is a principal investigator at the University of Minho, in Portugal. He currently holds the title of Counsellor from the Portuguese Engineers Association and has authored more than 300 publications. He is a member of the editorial boards for 9 international journals. He has acted as a foreign expert in the evaluation of 30 PhD theses. In the last 10 years he has been a Member of the Scientific Committee for almost 60 conferences most of them in Asian countries. He is also a grant assessor for several scientific institutions in 15 countries including the UK, US, Netherlands, China, France, Australia, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, Chile, Saudi Arabia, UA. Emirates, Croatia, Poland, and the EU Commission. He has also been an invited reviewer for 125 international journals and has reviewed almost 1200 papers and has been the lead editor of 27 books. Said Jalali is former Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Minho, and is an acknowledged expert on building materials. Dr. Aleksandra Fucic has 30 years of experience working on the biomonitoring of populations exposed to radiation or chemical agents with a special interest in achieving a healthy living environment and investigation of health risks related to new construction materials.

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Introduction: types of potentially toxic building materials

Chapter 1: The main health hazards from building materials

Abstract:

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Radiation

1.3 Chemical carcinogens and endocrine disruptors

1.4 Nanoparticles

1.5 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 2: Plastic materials: polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Abstract:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC – CAS number: 9002-86-2)

2.3 Building applications of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

2.4 Health and safety concerns and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

2.5 Alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Chapter 3: Plastic materials: chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene rubber (CR)

Abstract:

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Structure and properties of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene rubber (CR)

3.3 Alternative materials

3.4 Sources of further information

Chapter 4: Materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions

Abstract:

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Toxicology of formaldehyde

4.3 Emission testing of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

4.4 Emission models of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

4.5 Determination of the characteristic emission parameters

4.6 Influence of environmental factors on emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

4.7 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 5: Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs): phthalates and flame retardants

Abstract:

5.1 Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor environment

5.2 Emission of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from building materials and consumer products

5.3 Exposure to semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) emitted from building materials and consumer products

Chapter 6: Wood preservatives

Abstract:

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Types of preservatives and their potential hazards

6.3 Potential toxic effects and ways they can be assessed

6.4 Remedial action

6.5 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 7: Mineral fibre-based building materials and their health hazards

Abstract:

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Classification of asbestos and mineral fibres, their structure, microstructure and properties

7.3 Health effects of asbestos minerals

7.4 Use of asbestos in building materials

7.5 The reclamation of asbestos

7.6 The disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and recycling

7.7 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 8: Radioactive materials

Abstract:

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)

8.3 Radon exhalation, emanation and diffusion length

8.4 Measurements of radionuclide composition

8.5 Measurement of radon exhalation

8.6 Building materials as gamma emitters

8.7 Building materials with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides

8.8 Building products with enhanced radon exhalation rate

8.9 Control of radioactivity of building materials in regulations

Chapter 9: Materials that release toxic fumes during fire

Abstract:

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Fire behaviour of building materials

9.3 The effects of conditions on the initiation and propagation of fire

9.4 Health effects and analysis of combustion products

9.5 Remedial actions

9.6 Future trends for reducing toxic substances in fire and related resources

9.7 Conclusion

Chapter 10: Heavy metals: lead

Abstract:

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Use of lead in buildings and drinking water contamination

10.3 Toxicity of lead to humans

10.4 Assessing the risk associated with lead in drinking water

10.5 Lead pipe replacement and fittings containing lead

10.6 Corrective water treatment

10.7 Recommendations

10.8 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 11: Other heavy metals: antimony, cadmium, chromium and mercury

Abstract:

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Antimony

11.3 Cadmium

11.4 Chromium

11.5 Mercury

11.6 Remedial actions

11.7 Future trends

11.8 Conclusions

Chapter 12: Materials prone to mould growth

Abstract:

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Mould fungi in construction materials

12.3 Algae in construction materials

12.4 Potential toxic effects and ways they can be monitored

12.5 Remedial action and future trends

12.6 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 13: Antimicrobial treatment and efficacy

Abstract:

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Research programs

13.3 Static microbial test chamber

13.4 Dynamic microbial test chamber

13.5 Effects of moisture, relative humidity (RH) and dust

13.6 Duct cleaning effectiveness on microbial growth

13.7 Evaluation of antimicrobial treatments as control technologies

13.8 Antimicrobial product acknowledgment

13.9 Conclusions

13.10 Future trends

13.11 Sources of further information

Chapter 14: Potential hazards from waste based/recycled building materials

Abstract:

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Main types of building materials containing wastes

14.3 Waste properties and potential hazards

14.4 Scenarios of pollutant emission from construction materials

14.5 Potential hazard assessment for construction materials in their service life

14.6 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 15: Toxicity of nanoparticles

Abstract:

15.1 Introduction to nanoparticle and nanomaterial toxicity

15.2 Morphology, classification, and properties of nanomaterials

15.3 Types of building materials incorporating nanomaterials

15.4 The uptake of nanoparticles and their toxicity

15.5 Diseases associated with nanoparticle exposure

15.6 Detection of occupational nanoparticles and remedial action

15.7 Sources of further information and advice

15.8 Conclusion and future trends

Index