The main health hazards from building materials

Abstract: Social awareness of the need to preserve natural resources and energy efficiency politics has enabled a framework for the definition of sustainable building which can be realized by the introduction of new building materials and technologies. However, in some cases the use of new building materials and technologies can create microenvironments that may represent a complex radiochemical setting that could pose a potential threat to the health of its occupants. This chapter gives an overview of the health risks related to (a) increased indoor radioactivity due to new methodologies that enable increased use of industrial waste as building materials (fly ash) and the increased use of granite or zircon, (b) emissions of nanoparticles used in building materials, (c) emissions of concrete additives, and (d) chemical agents in finishing coatings and furnishing.