Harmful repair materials: truth and myths

The market today presents a huge variety of building materials. Unfortunately, not all of them are only beneficial to the human body. And sometimes the harm of some is greatly exaggerated. To figure out where is the truth and where fiction is possible, having studied the information about some finishing materials.

Paints with organic solvents are harmful when working with them. This is so, but even after drying, they continue to emit volatile organic compounds: benzene, styrene, toluene and others. Residents of the house will also inhale these substances. For residential premises it is better not to use them.

Glue for laying the floor. You can lay a safe wooden floor, but two-component glue will cross out all efforts. It is potentially dangerous if workers have made too thick a layer and the glue dries longer than it should be.

Asbestos - many people know that asbestos is harmful, and therefore it was banned. Yes. They banned, but all over the world only amphibolite, and chrysolite is used in Russia in the production of slate, wall and ceiling panels. However, compliance with operating conditions will protect against health problems. It is important to ensure that the integrity of such products is not compromised.

Vinyl wallpapers and stretch ceilings made of PVC and linoleum. They consist of artificial materials and are dangerous if overheated. But the main danger is not this, but the fire hazard. If ignited, the risk of suffocation from harmful gases is greatly increased.

Plastic windows - there has been a long talk about the dangers of PVC profiles, but the problem here lies elsewhere. Plastic windows completely clog the room, dooming the owners to stagnation of air, the accumulation of dust and harmful substances.

Granite - many still believe that natural stone is radioactive. But granite is divided into 4 classes according to radiation hazard. And for the decoration of residential premises, only class 1 safe in this regard is used.

OSB boards - hazardous formaldehyde-based adhesives are used in their manufacture. Inside, you cannot use such plates for finishing, in extreme cases, they need to be coated with an anti-formaldehyde primer. This will reduce the emission of harmful substances by several times.

Liquid nails and foam for mounting. They are dangerous when applied, because they emit phthalates and other VOCs.

Stone wool - the insulation itself is environmentally friendly, but formaldehyde resin can be used to glue the fibers. True, now large manufacturers rarely do this.

Glue for heavy and glass. Fabric-based wallpapers are completely safe, but they require special glue. It may contain synthetic resins that are hazardous to health. And glue with a color indicator can cause allergies in some people. Better to work with him in gloves.

Before starting repairs, you need not only to choose the cheapest and most practical material, but also to study in detail the possible harm from its use. If in some cases there is doubt, the choice of another, safer material is a good solution.