Lisa Jones
Gold Member
Offline
Australian Politics
Posts: 39047
Sydney
Gender: 
|
An interesting small portion from the above article:
Toxins
Tyrrell cautions that when considering what to buy, older houses have more unknowns in them than newer ones, which are subject to strict regulations. For example, those built before 1995 are likely to have, in the earth underneath suspended timber floors, highly toxic chemicals that he says were used to kill termites and spiders. ''The subfloors of most Australian houses have this chemical cocktail that I would never let a child or a dog near, or an adult without personal protection equipment,'' he says. There is also a good chance houses built before 1980 have at least some lead in them, whether it is in the paint, flashings, old laundry pipes or dust in the roof cavity. If enough lead particles are swallowed they can have very serious health side effects, especially in children and pets. But if you don't disturb the lead the risks is low.
Asbestos is another hazard in pre-1980s houses, Tyrrell says, most commonly in roof sheeting. It is also generally safe if not disturbed but if fibres or dust are produced they can be deadly.
Thompson says all buyers should ask themselves questions about the house they want to buy.
These may include what materials have been used and are they natural fibres or have they been heavily treated?
|
Forum
Pages: 1
Don't let your home make you sick (Read 7327 times)
