Image SourceHealth and safety regulations have been through quite a rapid transformation in the last few centuries. As beautiful as old houses can be, it’s important to remember that they weren’t built with the same risk assessments in mind as they are now. Consequently, certain materials used then have since been found to be extremely hazardous to human health. Here are some of the dangerous materials that could lurking in your home, and how you can get rid of them.
Lead paint
Before people started realising lead was poisonous it was used in everything, even paint. When ingested, lead can get into the bloodstream and travel to the brain causing intellectual disabilities and behavioural problems as well as headaches and nausea. It is especially dangerous for children, who may decide to curiously put a bit of flaked lead paint in their mouth. When discovered the best cause of actions is to strip all the walls. Thankfully, most properties have already been stripped of lead paint, but there are still some homes out there that remain untouched.
Lead piping
The Victorians used lead pipes to pump water around. Most utility companies have made it their mission to get rid of lead pipes. If a piece of lead flakes off, it can get into the water supply and potentially poison a whole family. If you live in an old house, make sure that it has had its piping replaced.
Old wiring
Most old wiring is still safe to this day, however house with the very first form of wiring – ‘knob and tube’ – should be fixed. Whilst the wires themselves are generally nothing to worry about, the insulation used in knob and tube wiring was primarily rubber, which crumbles over time. Most are now starting to crumble leaving exposed wires that can cause electrocution and fires if not attended to. Other old forms of insulation have also been known to crumble, so its best get an electrician around to check your old home if you haven’t already.
Asbestos
This durable, fire-proof material was hailed as a miracle product when it first came on the market. Unfortunately, it has since been discovered to be incredibly toxic, crumbling asbestos causing small shards that when inhaled can cause deadly lung cancer. There are many companies such as PROAS that specialise in the careful removal of asbestos. If you have a suspicion that you may have some in your property make it an emergency to get it removed.
Pressed wood
Pressed wood was a big fashion statement in the 70s, but has since been found to be highly toxic. Urea formaldehyde – the glue used to press the wood together – has been known to give off poisonous fumes when in hot or humid conditions. These fumes can cause difficulty breathing and asthma attacks, and have been reported to cause cancer in animals. So ditch that pressed wood table!
