PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY

KANTIPUR INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE,

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
LUBHU, LALITPUR

PRESENTED BY:
ANUSHKA KHATRI
UNNATI THAPA SUBMITTED TO:
SANDHYA GURUNG Er. BISHESHTO
SUBMITED DAKAL
Prepared
MANISH KARKIby Er. Ganesh Raj Sharma
Building “Group
SANDESH YONZANB1” LAMA Group Supervisor
HEALT
H
HAZA
RDS
in context of Building Material
 ABSTRACT
This presentation is based on “The Health impacts of using building materials “.
According to the studies, people spend 90% of their life indoors and the amount of the harmful gases in
the buildings is higher than outdoor city pollution. They can cause diseases such as cancer, asthma,
allergic reactions and much more. Building materials play a very important role to create ecologically
and sustainably healthy environment. In order to construct a sustainable building which is friendly with
the human and the environment, the building materials have to be chosen accordingly. The purpose of
this study is to select the healthiest materials for the buildings, and to reduce indoor air pollution.
 Introduction
 Building material is material used for construction and are crucial for the development of the country. There
are thousands of synthetic building materials invented and manufactured worldwide.

 Some of these manmade substances have been found to cause adverse effects to human health. According to
Pacheco-Torgal and Jalali (Portuguese Principal Investigators ), large amount of building materials were
identified to contain some form of toxicity.

 The toxic contents can be found in common building products such as in solvents, paints and varnishes or
from construction material dusts.

 In cases of fires, some materials may also release toxic fumes and are capable of poisoning drinkable water if
they leached through the ground.

 Many of these synthetic materials enter the body through inhalation, skin contacts or digestion. Some of these
materials may not be seen or smelled but they are capable of causing harm. They may emit low-level toxic
exposure or produce carcinogenic substances that can cause cancer. The effects can cause short-term effects
such as skin allergies or long-lasting health effects that can cause death.
 “In 2014, nearly 2,000
construction workers suffered
from work-related illnesses
affecting their skin or lungs,
and 100 of them were
poisoned.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
 BUILDING MATERIAL & IMPACT ON
HUMAN HEALTH
Some of the most common building material also have their own kind of impact on human health.

 NATURAL STONE BASED MATERIAL

- Some natural stones pose a threat to human health with harmful
gasses that they released. For example some types of granites cause
respiratory tract diseases due to the radon gas they spread to the
environment. However, not all natural stones are harmful for human
health. For example marble does not have any negative effects.

- Higher exposure to stone will cause Silicosis.

Lungs will loose its Difficulty in Impairment of Oxygen fails Heart

Elasticity breathing Blood Circulation enter the body failure

- Sandstones are highly siliceous.

 WOOD BASED MATERIAL

- Wood is a natural and healthy material by nature.

However, the wood used in today’s world threatens human
health by the various harmful substances it contains.

- "Adhesives and glues used in the production of artificial

woods contain substances that cause toxic gases release“.
Plywood, particle board and Medium Density Fireboard contains
phenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde that creates poor
indoor air quality.

- When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels

exceeding 0.1 ppm (part per million), some individuals may
experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning
sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive
to formaldehyde, whereas others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.

- In 1980, laboratory studies showed that exposure to formaldehyde could cause nasal cancer in rats.

- In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human
carcinogen under conditions of unusually high or prolonged exposure.
 METAL BASED MATERIAL

- Lead is used as a dye raw material and effects human

health
very quickly. It is absorbed into your body through the
b bloodstream, stimulating calcium to cross your blood-
brain b barrier.

- Lead poisoning can affect your bones, eyesight,

reproductive
ability, kidneys, brain disorders, nervous system problems,
and more.

-Aluminum which is used as facade claddings, partition

walls, fabric dyes cause lung diseases and Alzheimer.

- Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia

symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early
stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's,
individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond
 POLY-VINYL CHLORIDE

- As a lightweight plastic, PVC is one of the most

popular materials used for water and sewerage pipes. Also used
for electrical cables, doors, and window frames, gutters, roof
membranes, and molding, PVC is not as safe to have around
your home as you may think.

- PVC pipes contain synthetic chemicals known as

phosphates, as well as dioxins (highly toxic chemical compound)
known to interfere with hormone function in people which
may influence thyroid, pancreatic, adrenal, pituitary, and
reproductive problems.

- Too much phosphate can be toxic. An excess of the mineral can cause diarrhea, as well as a hardening of
organs and soft tissue. High levels of phosphorus can affect your body's ability to effectively use other minerals,
such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
MAJOR
HEALTH
HAZARD
S
 ASBESTOS

- Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of

soft and flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity
and corrosion. These qualities make the mineral useful, but
they also make asbestos exposure highly toxic.

- Asbestos-related diseases kill more people than any

other single work-related cause. The danger arises when
asbestos fibers become airborne and remain suspended in
the air. Breathing in these fibers can damage the lungs and
cause cancer.

- Mesothelioma is a type of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. 

 SILICA

- Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can be formed when construction

materials containing silica, such as bricks, concrete, granite or tiles are
cut, drilled, crushed or abraded.

-RCS can be breathed in and may reach the deep lungs where it can
scar the delicate tissue (silicosis). This can cause difficulties in breathing.
Long term exposure to RCS may also increase the risk of lung cancer.

 DERMATITIS

- Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition caused by exposure to hazardous

substances such as wet cement and solvents. 

- This can either be irritant dermatitis, which is usually caused by the skin coming into
contact with a substance, or allergic contact dermatitis where a person develops an
allergic reaction to a substance.
 SOLVENT
- You can find solvents in adhesives, paints, and cleaning fluids. While they are generally thought of as
hazardous when inhaled, they are also dangerous when they come into contact with your skin.

- Small exposures over a long timeframe are just as harmful as very large one-time exposures.
Some of the symptoms of exposure include dizziness, lack of coordination, headache, nausea, stomach pain,
cracked or bleeding skin, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.

 OTHER COMMON HAZARDS

-Another class of hazardous substances almost always
present on construction sites are man-made mineral fibers.
These fibers are generally made from glass, ceramic, rockwool,
and slagwool, and are usually used for temperature and sound
insulation.

- Whenever you install or remove these materials,

you are exposed to tiny fibers that can get lodged in your lungs.
They are often irritating to the skin and can damage your eyes.
Fast facts:

• Asbestos is the biggest killer in the workplace.

• With noise damage to the ear, it may take many years for the symptoms to appear.

• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) can cause permanent damage.

• Repetitive work is one of the major causes of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

• Reaction of the skin to any irritant varies from one individual to another.
SUSTAINABLE
MODERN
BUILDING
PRODUCTS
  HEMP *a mixture of hemp hurds and  BIO- PLASTIC
lime, sand, or pozzolans.

 BAMBOO
 SHEEP WOOL *as insulating material

 PRE-CAST HEMP CONCRETE

 CONCLUSION
Stakeholders in building construction such as contractors, consultants, clients, workers
and even the occupants may only find out about the building products if they refer to
reliable literature. Some studies suggested the professionals have limited knowledge on
the contents of building materials. Data and
information on building materials are still insufficient whilst some available information
is difficult to understand.
Reliable sources on building materials that could be easily understood and
accessible to all are important to ensure the stakeholders are aware of the associated
health issues that could also affect the environment.
NDOOR POLLUTION INSIDE A BUILDING

INTRODUCTION
• The presence of physical chemical and biological harmful contamination into indoor’s air
is known as indoor pollution.

• In general, the air pollution inside the building or closed rooms is called indoor pollution.

• It is very real and dangerous because it is far more concentrated with pollution than
outdoor air.

• About 2.2 million people in the world are dying due to indoor air pollution among them
1.6 million are from developing countries.
 PRESENT SITUATION OF INDOOR
POLLUTION
• According to static ,68% of suffer’s varies diseases are relevant
with indoor pollution such as the aging of skin, general fatigue,
infertile, leukemia and cancer.

• The latest static from the World Health Organization(WHO) on

disease laid at indoor pollution shows that 35.7% of respiratory
diseases are caused by indoor environment and 2.2% of chronic
disease, 5% of bronchial catarrh,5% of cancer and 5% of
leukemia are caused by indoor pollution.

• The medical expert of hematology specially in Jiangsu people’s

Hospital say that leukemia laid at radiation and pollution mostly.
Benzene and formaldehyde in indoor environment are indeed the
inducement for the occurrences of leukemia in comparison to
other inducement such as virus or gene.

• Now-a-days, the complain about the pollution of decorating

materials became very important problem of new health threat.
 WHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
QUALITY PRINCIPLE IS IMPORTANT
FOR HEALTH ?
• Indoor Environment Quality became an important factor for health, comfort and performance .

• Right balance of acoustic, thermal and visual comfort together with good air quality improves health,
wellbeing, workplace performance and productivity and learning outcomes.

• An individual spends almost all of 24 hrs inside buildings (80-90)% and breathe approx. 22,000 times
so it is concern to find a safe and comfortable environment.

• The composition of atmosphere inside buildings is basically similar to the outside. The difference is
only the amount and types of contaminants.
INDOOR POLLUTION IN
DIFFERENT SECTORS
SOURCES OF
INDOOR
CONTAMINANT
S
1) Cooking and Heating

 In developing countries fuel such as woods ,animals

dung(cow dung) and charcoals are burned inside homes for
cooking and heating which increases carbon monoxide and
other dangerous contaminants.

 There is rare proper ventilation to allow the pollutants to

escape or residence of these home end up their in CO and
other contaminants.

 Heater, furnace, stove, water heater also produce CO.

2) Tobacco Smoke

 Tobacco smoke is most common indoor pollutants.

It is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer. In context
of USA, it is first cause.

 It contains more than 4000 chemicals, residue gas.

Many of them are carcinogens (chemical causing
cancer)

 Electron cigarettes are similar to tobacco containing

various volatile organic substances, heavy metals
and other chemicals linked to lung diseases.

 Residual gas and particles from cigarette smoke

that settle pose health hazards particularly in rooms
with a lot of fabric or carpeting.
3) Household Cleaners

 Household cleaners supplies like hand sanitizer, dish soup,

sponge brush, laundry detergents, bleach are also common
cause of indoor pollution.

 Harsh chemicals that give off fumes can irritate our nose,
mouth, lungs as well as skin.

 Fumes that arise from dry cleaned garments can cause

inflammation.

 Room fresheners or fresheners also consider as indoor

contaminants.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANRS
4) Construction materials

 People lives indoor most of time. Buildings directly

influence occupants’ health and productivity.

 In case of stonework, weathering actions enlarge

porosity and increases decay.

 Decorative materials such as textile carpet, paint,

dyes and glue release nitrogenoioxide,
formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, etc.

CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS
5) Air conditioning or ventilation

 Air conditioners release potent greenhouse gases known as

hydroflurocarbons(HFs)(strong heat absorbing gas)

 HFCs show to drive inflammation associated with an

increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease.
6) Living Organism

 Living organism such as dust mites bacteria

and mold cause indoor air pollution.

 They maybe harmless but may cause

irritation and allergies.

 They may transmits infectious diseases.

DISEASES CAUSED BY INDOOR POLLUTION
MISUNDERSTANING OF INDOOR
DECORATING
Many people make a mistake about what are “green decorating’”, ‘green materials’ and indoor
pollution. They think that when you just choose “green building materials’ or environmental
protection building materials” the air condition will be the safe or there is no question of indoor
pollution.

1) The green building materials are not absence of pollution completely.

2) The Green building materials are not environment friendly completely.
3) The Great quantities use of interior building materials n plank board materials
MEASURES TO PREVENT
INDOOR POLLUTION
1) Weaker the decorative background

 Install new breeze system which can make oxidizing air continuously and evenly enter inside.
 While adding enough fresh air into the room, the system will return the foul air inside through heat
recovery rear row to outside.
 Even if the doors and window close tightly, it also continuously has fresh air to enter the room with
the oxygen.

2) The chemical treatment

 It is against sources and should be done professional. It operates more quickly and be more
lasting.
 If the pollution level has achieved more than there times, the professional management company is
recommended to deal with the situation.
 Actually indoor pollution can’t be cured by the chemical treatment but the source of the pollution
released after using medicines will have the effect of 80% or more.

3) Using the air cleaner

 The operate principle of air cleaner is to absorb harmful matter automatically and resolve the
pollutant including dust, pollen strange smell etc in air into water and carbondioxide.
 New air cleaner is able to resolve formaldehyde and other pollution.
4) Aeration treatment

 Well ventilated transaction will be the most simple and useful basic environment protection
measures.
 The photocatalyst tube, activated carbon absorber absorbs formaldehyde and other harmful
substance.

5) Source control

 The most effective way to reduce indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution to
reduce their emissions.

6) Prevent pests

 Insects and rodents carry all kinds of airborne contaminants into a home.
 By sealing home properly and storing food on safe containers, the likelihood of attracting pests can
be reduced.

7) Cleaning Floor

 Regular vacuuming carpets and sweeping & mopping bare floors helps to stirred up dust to ensure
healthy indoor.
8) Keeping Floor mats

 Keeping large floor mats at every door in a home helps to prevent large quantities of dirt,
dander, plant particulates and resist to spread pollutants throughout house.

9) Crafting

 Projects should be done in well ventilated spaces because crafting materials such as glues
can produce noxious fumes.

10) Uses of Natural Cleaners

 Natural cleaners and elbow grease accomplish the same cleanliness as chemical ladder
cleaners without polluting the air.
 CONCLUSION
The purpose of indoor decorating is turning our living condition into beautiful place to live, and
make our everyday much better of rising the people’s living level. The indoor environment quality is
interrelated with people’s health. So in indoor decorating we have to prevent the pollution of
building and indoor decorative materials from the beginning and follow the guidelines of health,
safety, environmental protection and ecosystem.
THANK
YOU