BUILDING AND DECORATING MATERIALS: WHAT CAUSES ALLERGIC PROBLEMS?
Few people have any control over materials used at work or school, but if you do have any say, try to persuade people to use the methods and materials suggested here.
What Causes Problems?
The main causes of reactions to building and decorating materials are chemicals contained in them: these are specifically described in more detail below. The symptoms resulting are those of chemical sensitivity, such as breathing problems, skin symptoms, headaches, nausea, digestive problems, and mental symptoms.
Other causes of reactions to building materials can be chromates in cement, and brick dust if you have significant exposure to these. Some people can be sensitive to wood, but this is exceptionally rare unless, again, you have heavy exposure.
Some materials used in building and repair work are irritant and need handling with care – using gloves, overalls or face masks to prevent contact or inhaling. These materials do not cause sensitivity but irritation to skin and airways for anyone who uses them intensively. Such irritant materials include glass fibre, dusts from steel wool and sandpaper, plaster and rubble dust, and sawdust and chippings. Toxic materials also need handling with care when applying them; unless these give off fumes or are solvent-based, they should not cause sensitivity after a period of airing.
If you are extremely sensitive to moulds, wallpaper can be the source of reactions. Moulds grow invisibly on paper, especially in damp conditions, and they can feed also on the cellulose pastes used to fix wallpaper.
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