We all do our best to keep toxic materials out of the environment by responsible recycling. But what if there are elements in our homes which are harmful or dangerous that we are not aware of? Below we examine four dangerous materials which may be in your property and how you should dispose of them.
Asbestos
If you come across asbestos in your home or garden, the most important thing is not to disturb it. Do not move it, even if it’s inside and you want to get it out, disturbing the asbestos is very dangerous.
You should immediately contact an asbestos removal specialist who will come and assess the situation. They will then use specialised equipment and clothing to safely remove and dispose of the asbestos in a licenced hazard waste disposal location.
Asbestos was used decades ago as a type of insulation and also for its heat resistance. It was a cheap building material and can still be found in many public buildings and often in older private homes.
Lead paint
Lead paint was commonly used until the 1970s and wasn’t officially banned for sale to the general public until 1992, so may be present in some older homes. It was used to paint wooden window frames, doors, brick and tiles. The older a property, the higher the chance that it contains lead paint somewhere and the higher the quantity of lead in the paint is likely to be.
Removing lead paint is not something that should be attempted as a DIY project and requires the services of a specialist contractor. There are various methods of removing the paint but all require containment of the particles and dust due to the associated health risks. If you suspect there is lead paint in your property, contact a lead removal contractor for advice and assessment.
As with asbestos, you should not disturb the lead paint and keep children and pregnant women away from the area.
Fibreglass
With efforts to reduce energy usage and costs, we are encouraged to insulate our homes, often with materials containing fibreglass. While it is not a toxic substance, fibreglass is an irritant and can cause respiratory issues.
It’s not called fibreglass for nothing. This material does contain very small but jagged shards of glass which if breathed in can result in irritation, coughing, itching and wheezing. Exposure to fibreglass can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or similar health issues.
Anyone handling fibreglass insulation should wear a facemask, gloves and eye protection to reduce exposure. If you intend to increase your insulation level, it’s often better to leave old insulation in place, as long as it’s not damp and put another layer of insulation on top, running in the opposite orientation
Creosote
If you have a wood burning stove, chances are you may have creosote in your chimney. This tar-like substance is created through incomplete combustion when burning wood. It deposits on the side of the flue and is a major cause of chimney fires as it can ignite at quite low temperatures. Creosote is toxic but in your flue, it poses more of a risk as a flammable substance.
Regular chimney sweeping is needed to keep a flue clear of creosote. However, the quality of the wood burner and the moisture content of the wood being burned also contribute.
A high efficiency fire, with good airflow will not leave any part of the wood unburned and so reduce the amount of creosote adhering to the flue. In addition, the firewood should have a moisture content below 20% to further reduce creosote buildup.
