Overview

What are building contaminants or building pollutants? Where can we find them? Why were those harmful and hazardous substances used in buildings, basically all over the world, at all?
Many buildings constructed or renovated between the 1950s and the early 1990s often contain potentially harmful environmental pollutants in a great variety of applications and materials. On one hand, the substances and chemicals possess technically outstanding characteristics, such as fire-resistance, stability, persistence, elasticity or tensile strength; on the other hand, however, they have proven to be harmful to human health and the environment.
The following substances and chemicals count among the most common building contaminants:
Asbestos (bonded and unbonded) in over 3‘500 products
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Chlorinated Paraffins (CPs) in sealants, caulks, paints and anti-corrosion coatings
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coatings, tar oils or cork insulation
Elements (mainly heavy metals) in anti-corrosion coatings and paints
Synthetic mineral fibres
Wood preservers
Flame retardants
… and many more
We have summarised some of the most common building contaminants and pollutants on these sites. You may find basic information on the characteristics, applications, sources and risk potential of each substance.
If you require further or specific information on one of the pollutants, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer your questions.

 

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