benzene

Benzene – A Carcinogenic Toxin in Building Products & Potentially In Your Home

Benzene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet smelling odour that when exposed to the atmosphere evaporates very quickly. Benzene is used within many building products and manufacturing processes, such as the production of plastics and some rubbers, and even in some pharmaceuticals and detergents. Benzene is commonly found in the home in glues, adhesives, cleaning products, paint strippers, some art supplies and most commonly in petrol. The most common way to be exposed to benzene is through inhalation of emissions, although skin contact and digestion are other possible ways of exposure.

Benzene is a highly volatile carcinogenic substance and exposure at high levels can result in death (by breathing vapours direct or in poorly controlled occupational situations). The health effects of benzene depend upon the levels and length of exposure.

However even low levels of exposure can result in:

  • Skin and eye irritations
  • Drowsiness, dizziness and headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Confusion

Benzene is a Category 1 carcinogen, so exposure at any levels has the potential to cause cancer, although the recommended “safe” level of exposure is argued amongst scientists and governments, with some believing that there is no safe level whilst others agree that 0.10% weight/weight is the safe cut off point for exposure. High exposure to benzene can result in:

  • Abnormal blood production
  • Disruption of the immune system
  • Leukaemia – cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells
  • Birth defects
  • Cancer
  • Death

To help minimise the risk of exposure to products containing benzene it is recommended that:

  • Choose verified and certified products from the Ecospecifier website (ecospecifier.com.au) that show a transparent and detailed human and eco-toxicity analysis
  • Contact the manufacturer if unsure if the product contains benzene
  • Limit exposure to petrol, car exhaust and cigarette fumes
  • Limit, or avoid if possible, exposure to fumes from art supplies, paints and solvents
  • If using products that contain benzene, particularly if indoors, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated
  • Eliminate, if possible, products that contain benzene, either as a component or contaminant

Explore more about the product ranges that have been eco-certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

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The Sick Building Syndrome

Are you breathing toxic air?

A “sick” building is a structure, or room, that has become contaminated with harmful elements or chemicals.

’Sick building syndrome’ (SBS) is a concept that refers to a variety of illnesses that occupants may develop due to exposure to in- building pollution.

Indoor pollution can cause serious health risks although can generally easily be avoided.

A building’s health may be decreased over either a short or prolonged period of time from a variety of causes including:

– External pollution

– Mould and mildew or,

– Product emissions.

Poorly selected finishes in products like fittings and furniture can release gaseous toxins over a period of time, resulting in a prolonged period where a building can be classified as “sick”.

Additionally, certain activities may result in the release of toxins that decrease the health of a building, such as cleaning with products are made with compounds containing volatile toxins.

Health impacts from exposure to a sick building may depend upon a person’s age and health or sensitivity to certain compounds, as well as the level of exposure to a potentially hazardous environment.

The commonly accepted short-term health issues associated to ‘sick building syndrome’ include:

  • Skin, eye and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Allergic reactions and asthma

Common long-term health impacts related to the sick building syndrome concept include:

  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease
  • Heart disease

SICK BUILDING CHECKLIST

A wide variety of factors can reduce the health of a building, below are just a few examples to consider as causes:

  • Biological contaminants such as bacteria, moulds, mildew and house dust mites can cause a range of health effects including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma
  • Stoves, heaters, fireplaces and chimneys can all release carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, along with a range of other particles, which may impact your health by interfering with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body, irritating the mucous membranes in the eye, nose and throat or cause lung and tissue damage.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released from everyday household products, including carpets and paint, and have the potential to cause a range of health effects including irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, immune deficiency, asthma, headaches, liver and kidney damage and potentially cause cancer
  • Benzene may be present in household products including glues, adhesives, cleaning products and art supplies and may result in a range of health impacts ranging from skin and eye irritation to leukaemia
  • Formaldehyde a toxic chemical present in building materials, clothing and even cosmetics! The health effects of formaldehyde exposure range from nasal and eye irritation to liver and kidney damage
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastic products and can act as an endocrine disrupter posing significant health risks especially to the development of young children and babies.

HEALTHY BUILDING ACTION CHECKLIST

Whilst the potential health risks from building products and home fixtures can depend on a wide variety of personal and external factors, there are various steps that can be taken in order to improve the health of a building and reduce any associated health risks:

  • Choose products from a reliable source like the Ecospecifier website (ecospecifier.com.au) which only lists third party certified and verified products that have passed health and eco-toxicity assessments
  • Install weather stripping and caulking to seal the home – this can help to reduce the amount of pollution entering your home and reducing indoor air quality.
  • Prevent and manage issues related to the dampness of a building to avoid the presence of mould in order to decrease the risk of being exposed to hazardous microbes;
  • Eliminate smoking indoors.
  • Ensure adequate indoor ventilation.
  • Avoid products that contain formaldehyde or benzene.
  • Look for Low-VOC paints
  • Buy solid wood, hardboard or exterior grade plywood instead of pressed wood products;
  • Regulate room temperature and humidity to decrease the amount of VOCs emitted;
  • Choose plastic products that are BPA free.
  • Use only third party certified health-safe cleaning products.

Explore more about the product ranges that have been certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

Follow Ecospecifier on Facebook

Follow Ecospecifier on Twitter

Follow Ecospecifier on LinkedIn

Join our Social Media Honour Roll – support the switch to green products

Like, Comment and Share our blogs and posts on your social media pages … and we will send your name out to more than 15,000 subscribers via our monthly Ecospecifier Global Newsletter.

See which stellar individuals, businesses and networks made the latest Honour Roll on Twitter and Facebook HERE We salute you in helping us educate and help more people #MaketheSwitch to #EcoResponsible products.