Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.3:
Environmental poisons and ozone-reducing substances in building
materials
1.
Acrylonitrile
Carcinogenic; irritates mucous membranes;
especially poisonous to water organisms
2.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons
(collective name for many organic
compounds, naphthenes and paraffins)
Irritates inhalation and oral route and skin;
promotes carcinogenic substances
3.
Amines
(collective group for different aromatic
and aliphatic ammonium compounds)
Irritates inhalation routes; causes allergy; possibly a
mutagen
4.
Ammonia
Corrosive; irritates mucous membrane; over-
fertilizing effect; strong acidifies water
5.
Aromatic hydrocarbons
(collective name for many organic
compounds such as benzene, styrene,
toluene and xylene)
Carcinogenic and mutagenic; irritate mucous
membranes; damage the nervous system
6.
Arsenic and arsenic compounds
Bio-accumulative; can damage foetus; mutagenic;
many are carcinogenic
7.
Benzene
Anaesthetizing; carcinogenic; irritates mucous
membranes; mutagenic
8.
Bitumen
(mixture of aromatic and aliphatic
compounds, such as benzolalpyrene)
Contains carcinogenic compounds
9.
Boric salts
(collective name for borax and boracic
acid)
Slightly poisonous to humans; poisonous to plants
and organisms in fresh water in heavy doses
10.
Cadmium
Bio-accumulative; carcinogenic; even in low
concentrations can have chronic poisonous effects
on many organisms such as liver, kidney and lung
damage
11.
Calcium chloride
Irritant; strongly acidifying
12.
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
(group of substances including
dichloroethane, trichloroethane and
chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs))
Carcinogenic; persistent; extremely poisonous to
water organisms
13.
Chlorine
Acidifying; strongly irritates mucous membranes
14.
Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
Break down the ozone layer
15.
Chrome and chrome compounds
Allergenic; bio-accumulative; carcinogenic;
oxidizing; can cause liver and kidney damage
16.
Copper and copper compounds
Bio-accumulative; poisonous to water organisms
continued
