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Toxicity of building materials

Edited by F Pacheco-Torgal, S Jalali, University of Minho, Portugal and A Fucic, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia

Woodhead Publishing Series in Civil and Structural Engineering No. 41

 - provides an essential guide to the potential toxic effects of building materials on health
 - comprehensively examines materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds
 - later chapters focus on issues surrounding the use of radioactive materials and materials that release toxic fumes during burning
 - considers the toxicity of nanoparticles and the potential hazards posed by waste-based/recycled building materials

From long-standing worries regarding the use of lead and asbestos to recent research into carcinogenic issues related to the use of plastics in construction, there is growing concern regarding the potential toxic effects of building materials on health. Toxicity of building materials provides an essential guide to this important problem and its solution.

Beginning with an overview of the material types and potential health hazards presented by building materials, the book goes on to consider key plastic materials. Materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as semi-volatile organic compounds, are then explored in depth, before a review of wood preservatives and mineral fibre-based building materials. Issues related to the use of radioactive materials and materials that release toxic fumes during burning are the focus of subsequent chapters, followed by discussion of the range of heavy metals, materials prone to mould growth, and antimicrobials. Finally, Toxicity of building materials concludes by considering the potential hazards posed by waste based/recycled building materials, and the toxicity of nanoparticles.

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Toxicity of building materials is an invaluable tool for all civil engineers, materials researchers, scientists and educators working in the field of building materials.

ISBN 0 85709 122 0
ISBN-13: 978 0 85709 122 2
August 2012
512 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£155.00 / US$265.00 / €185.00

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About the editors

Fernando Pacheco-Torgal is an investigator in the C-TAC Research Unit at the University of Minho, Portugal, and is the author or co-author of almost 200 publications.

Said Jalali is former Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Minho, and is an acknowledged expert on building materials.

Aleksandra Fucic is a genotoxicologist at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia, with 25 years experience of biomonitoring.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Fire toxicity
Building materials in civil engineering
Materials for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings
Fibrous and composite materials for civil engineering applications
Eco-efficient construction and building materials
Handbook of recycled concrete and demolition waste

Contents

The main health hazards from building materials
A Fucic, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Croatia
 - Introduction
 - Radiation
 - Chemical carcinogens and endocrine disruptors
 - Nano particles
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - References

Plastic materials: polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
G Akovali, Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey and M McCally, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA
 - Introduction
 -  Polyvinyl chloride (CAS Number: 9002-86-2)
 -  Building applications of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
 - Health and safety concerns and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
 - Alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
 - References

Plastic materials: chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), polychloroprene rubber (CR)
G Akovali, Middle East Technical University (METU), Turkey
 - Introduction
 - Structure and properties of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene rubber (CR)
 - Alternatives materials
 - Sources of further information
 - References

Materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
Z Liu and J C Little, Virginia Tech, USA
 - Introduction
 - Toxicology of formaldehyde
 - Emission testing of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
 - Emission models of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
 - Determination of the characteristic emission parameters
 - Influence of environmental factors on emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - Sources of further information
 - References

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs): phthalates, PFCs, flame retardants
Z Liu and J C Little, Virginia Tech, USA
 - Semivolatile organic compounds in the indoor environment
 - Emission of semi-volatile organic compounds from building materials and consumer products
 - Exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds emitted from building materials and consumer products
 - References

Wood preservatives
N Schiopu, Université Paris-Est, CSTB, France and L Tiruta-Barna, National Institute of Applied Sciences INSA Toulouse, France
 - Introduction
 - Types of preservatives and their potential hazards
 - Potential toxic effects and ways they can be assessed
 - Remedial action
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - References

Mineral fibre-based building materials and their health hazards
A F Gualtieri, Universitá di Modena Reggio Emilia, Italy
 - Introduction
 - Classification of asbestos and mineral fibres, their structure, microstructure and properties
 - Health effects of asbestos minerals
 - Use of asbestos in building materials
 - The reclamation of asbestos
 - The disposal of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and recycling
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Radioactive materials
K Kovler, Technion –Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
Introduction
 - Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)
 - Radon exhalation, emanation and diffusion length
 - Measurements of radionuclide composition
 - Measurement of radon exhalation
 - Building materials as gamma emitters
 - Building materials with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides
 - Building products with enhanced radon exhalation rate
 - Control of radioactivity of building materials in regulations
 - References

Materials that release toxic fumes during fire
S Doroudiani, B Doroudiani, University of Toronto, Canada and Z Doroudiani, Building and Housing Research Centre, Iran
 - Introduction
 - Fire behaviour of building materials
 - The effects of conditions on the initiation and propagation of fire
 - Health effects and analysis of combustion products
 - Remedial actions
 - Future trends for reducing toxic substances in fire and related resources
 - Conclusion
 - References

Heavy metals: lead
C Hayes, Swansea University, UK
 - Introduction
 - Use of lead in buildings and drinking water contamination
 - Toxicity of lead to humans
 - Assessing the risk associated with lead in drinking water
 - Lead pipe replacement and fittings containing lead
 - Corrective water treatment
 - Recommendations
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Other heavy metals: mercury, cadmium, chromium and antimony
O E Orisakwe, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
 - Introduction
 - Antimony
 - Cadmium
 - Chromium
 - Mercury
 - Remedial actions
 - Future trends
 - Conclusions
 - References

Materials prone to mould growth
M D’Orazio, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy
 - Introduction
 - Mould fungi in construction materials
 - Algae in construction materials
 - Potential toxic effects and ways they can be monitored
 - Remedial actions and future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Antimicrobial treatment and efficacy
M Y Menetrez, U S Environmental Protection Agency, USA
 - Introduction
 - Research programs
 - Static microbial test chamber
 - Dynamic microbial test chamber
 - Effects of moisture, relative humidity (RH) and dust
 - Duct cleaning effectiveness on microbial growth
 - Evaluation of antimicrobial treatments as control technologies
 - Antimicrobial product acknowledgment
 - Conclusions
 - Future trends
 - Sources of further information
 - References

Potential hazards from waste based/recycled building materials
L Tiruta-Barna, National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) and R Barna, Ecole des Mines Albi, France
 - Introduction
 - Main types of building materials containingwastes
 - Waste properties and potential hazards
 - Scenarios of pollutant emission from construction materials
 - Potential hazard assessment for construction materials in their service life
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - References

Toxicity of nanoparticles
I Pacheco-Blandino, Queen's University, R Vanner, University of Toronto and C Buzea, Queen's University, Canada
 - Introduction to nanoparticle and nanomaterial toxicity
 - Morphology, classification, and properties of nanomaterials
 - Types of building materials incorporating nanomaterials
 - The uptake of nanoparticles and their toxicity
 - Diseases associated with nanoparticle exposure
 - Detection of occupational nanoparticles and remedial action
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - Conclusion and future trends
 - References