ALLERGY TO BUILDING AND DECORATING MATERIALS : WHICH CHEMICALS TO CHOOSE?
Many chemicals in building and decorating materials will cause sensitivity at the time when they are applied or for a short period of airing thereafter, but will not cause reactions, even to the very sensitive, once they are aired. It is important to bear this distinction in mind as you read the advice that follows.
If you are extremely sensitive, you may not be able actually to use the materials suggested below yourself, or you may need to avoid the room or building where they have been used for a while. If you are less sensitive, you will probably be able to use the materials yourself and a little airing will be sufficient for you to be able to use the place.
Avoid Known Hazardous Materials
Some chemicals are particularly associated with chemical sensitivity, and give out fumes and gas at a low level for a long time after they have been applied. Even small levels of such vapours can be enough to cause reactions. These persistent chemicals include organic solvents which have a wide range of building uses (notably in gloss paints, varnishes, stains, some paint strippers, various wood and damp treatments) and formaldehyde, found in particle board, melamine, paper, and some types of cavity wall insulation. Other persistent chemicals – such as organochlorines, used in fungicides and pesticides; plasticisers; vinyls; rot treatments; some coal-tar based chemicals, such as asphalt and creosote – also give out fumes over the life of the over the life of the building.
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