Contributor contact details Introduction: types of potentially toxic building materials Chapter 1: The main health hazards from building materials Abstract: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Radiation 1.3 Chemical carcinogens and endocrine disruptors 1.4 Nanoparticles 1.5 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 2: Plastic materials: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC – CAS number: 9002-86-2) 2.3 Building applications of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 2.4 Health and safety concerns and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 2.5 Alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Chapter 3: Plastic materials: chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene rubber (CR) Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Structure and properties of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) and polychloroprene rubber (CR) 3.3 Alternative materials 3.4 Sources of further information Chapter 4: Materials responsible for formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Toxicology of formaldehyde 4.3 Emission testing of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 4.4 Emission models of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 4.5 Determination of the characteristic emission parameters 4.6 Influence of environmental factors on emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 4.7 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 5: Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs): phthalates and flame retardants Abstract: 5.1 Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor environment 5.2 Emission of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from building materials and consumer products 5.3 Exposure to semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) emitted from building materials and consumer products Chapter 6: Wood preservatives Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Types of preservatives and their potential hazards 6.3 Potential toxic effects and ways they can be assessed 6.4 Remedial action 6.5 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 7: Mineral fibre-based building materials and their health hazards Abstract: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Classification of asbestos and mineral fibres, their structure, microstructure and properties 7.3 Health effects of asbestos minerals 7.4 Use of asbestos in building materials 7.5 The reclamation of asbestos 7.6 The disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and recycling 7.7 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 8: Radioactive materials Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) 8.3 Radon exhalation, emanation and diffusion length 8.4 Measurements of radionuclide composition 8.5 Measurement of radon exhalation 8.6 Building materials as gamma emitters 8.7 Building materials with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides 8.8 Building products with enhanced radon exhalation rate 8.9 Control of radioactivity of building materials in regulations Chapter 9: Materials that release toxic fumes during fire Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Fire behaviour of building materials 9.3 The effects of conditions on the initiation and propagation of fire 9.4 Health effects and analysis of combustion products 9.5 Remedial actions 9.6 Future trends for reducing toxic substances in fire and related resources 9.7 Conclusion Chapter 10: Heavy metals: lead Abstract: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Use of lead in buildings and drinking water contamination 10.3 Toxicity of lead to humans 10.4 Assessing the risk associated with lead in drinking water 10.5 Lead pipe replacement and fittings containing lead 10.6 Corrective water treatment 10.7 Recommendations 10.8 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 11: Other heavy metals: antimony, cadmium, chromium and mercury Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Antimony 11.3 Cadmium 11.4 Chromium 11.5 Mercury 11.6 Remedial actions 11.7 Future trends 11.8 Conclusions Chapter 12: Materials prone to mould growth Abstract: 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Mould fungi in construction materials 12.3 Algae in construction materials 12.4 Potential toxic effects and ways they can be monitored 12.5 Remedial action and future trends 12.6 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 13: Antimicrobial treatment and efficacy Abstract: 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Research programs 13.3 Static microbial test chamber 13.4 Dynamic microbial test chamber 13.5 Effects of moisture, relative humidity (RH) and dust 13.6 Duct cleaning effectiveness on microbial growth 13.7 Evaluation of antimicrobial treatments as control technologies 13.8 Antimicrobial product acknowledgment 13.9 Conclusions 13.10 Future trends 13.11 Sources of further information Chapter 14: Potential hazards from waste based/recycled building materials Abstract: 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Main types of building materials containing wastes 14.3 Waste properties and potential hazards 14.4 Scenarios of pollutant emission from construction materials 14.5 Potential hazard assessment for construction materials in their service life 14.6 Conclusion and future trends Chapter 15: Toxicity of nanoparticles Abstract: 15.1 Introduction to nanoparticle and nanomaterial toxicity 15.2 Morphology, classification, and properties of nanomaterials 15.3 Types of building materials incorporating nanomaterials 15.4 The uptake of nanoparticles and their toxicity 15.5 Diseases associated with nanoparticle exposure 15.6 Detection of occupational nanoparticles and remedial action 15.7 Sources of further information and advice 15.8 Conclusion and future trends Index

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