1. Carbon monoxide
Around 40 deaths and 4,000 hospitalisations result from carbon monoxide poisoning each year in England and Wales, most of these are due to faulty wood and fossil fuel burning appliances like boilers, stoves, ovens and heaters.
Because carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, constant vigilance is essential. Ensure all gas appliances have an up-to-date GAS-SAFE certificate, and install carbon monoxide detectors to make sure you know if there is a leak.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, chest pains and nausea. At high concentrations, it causes sudden collapse, loss of consciousness and death. If you think you may have a leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
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2. Formaldehyde
Chipboard is often found in furniture, and fibreboard is a frequent fixture in wall and floor panels. Both are made from cheap, recycled wood chippings or sawdust bound with an adhesive resin, which commonly contains urea-formaldehyde. The same chemical can also be found in plywood panelling, particleboard and insulation.
This urea-formaldehyde releases formaldehyde gas in a process called ‘out-gassing’, and exposure to formaldehyde causes watery eyes, nausea, difficulty breathing, asthma and worse.
The good news is that these products release less formaldehyde gas as they age. So the biggest danger comes during and immediately after construction. Newer products also release more gas during warm weather, so summer is a time for particular caution in newly built/refurbished homes.[flat_button text=”Help Me…” title=”Flat Button” url=”https://www.unohome.co.uk/contact” padding=”10px 20px” bg_color=”#FFBE00″ border_color=”#FF5C00″ border_width=”1px” text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_size=”14px” align=”right” target=”_blank”]
3. Mould
According to the NHS, damp and mould increase your chances of respiratory problems, infections, asthma and allergies.
Leaks are often the cause of the problem, providing the damp conditions in which mould can grow and spread. So the main way to prevent mould is to ensure your plumbing is in good condition, your roof is structurally sound and waterproof, window and door frames are properly treated, and your brickwork does not need re-pointing.
If you do discover mould, small amounts can be removed with warm water and mild detergent. You’ll also need to ventilate the affected area, seal it off from the rest of your home, and dispose of damp items like soft toys, clothing and rugs that may harbour spores. For more severe infections, it’s wise to bring in the professionals.[flat_button text=”Help Me…” title=”Flat Button” url=”https://www.unohome.co.uk/contact” padding=”10px 20px” bg_color=”#FFBE00″ border_color=”#FF5C00″ border_width=”1px” text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_size=”14px” align=”right” target=”_blank”]
4. Asbestos
Asbestos caused 6,846 deaths in 2011 (the latest statistics available to the Health and Safety Executive). As well as mesothelioma, inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause other respiratory cancers, asbestosis and inflammation of respiratory tissues. In short, it’s an incredibly nasty substance.
During asbestos and ar-tex removal, the disturbance of the material increases the risk of exposure, so it’s vital to find qualified asbestos removal contractors to do the job properly. Asbestos roof removal can be especially tricky because of the potential for fibres to spread through the house, so you are likely to have to leave the property during the process.
If you think you may have asbestos in your home, it’s worth hiring an asbestos surveyor to check.
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5. Lead
Another relic from the past, lead is a poisonous heavy metal that was once commonly found in paint. Lead-based paint was banned from general sale in the UK in 1992, but the Lead Paint Safety Association warns that disturbing old paintwork leads to significant lead exposure risks.
Swabs are available to check for lead content in paint, but specialist surveyors can provide more accurate XRF-isotope tests. Once properly removed, you can repaint your rooms with a more suitable paint.[flat_button text=”Help Me…” title=”Flat Button” url=”https://www.unohome.co.uk/contact” padding=”10px 20px” bg_color=”#FFBE00″ border_color=”#FF5C00″ border_width=”1px” text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_size=”14px” align=”right” target=”_blank”]