Listly by croberts98
While you may think that all approved materials are safe, here are the top ten worst materials to look for in your new or existing home.
Lead is most likely used in any interior or exterior paints that have been applied prior to the 1970s. While they are now outlawed, the remnants of lead-based paints may still come back to haunt you when renovating or eliminating old colors.
PVC has become increasingly popular in plumbing and irrigation use in today's neighborhoods. Beware of the side effects: endocrine disruption and other nasty toxins are byproducts of these materials.
Asbestos was commonly used in the walls of homes built before the 1950s. Acting as an insulator that was very flame-retardant, asbestos has also been traced to various cancers and lung diseases such as mesothelioma.
Asphalt shingles are still one of the most popular roofing materials on the housing market today. While they are very efficient and cost-effective, asphalt shingles contain high amounts of heavy metals that can runoff with water exposures and damage lawns and local gardens.
Spray foam insulation techniques may be more efficient and cost-effective to their fiberglass counterparts, however, they also excel in toxicity levels due to the expanding agent that helps them close gaps and fill in holes.
Wood preservatives do a great job extending the longevity of decking, fencing, and facade siding. Their ability to do so resides in their high level of toxic pesticides that can result in ground-water and soil contamination in residential areas.