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Pre-1990s commercial buildings can often harbour several hidden health hazards, primarily due to earlier construction practices and materials that have been evaluated as dangerous over time. The most significant risks are typically associated with exposure due to disturbance during maintenance, renovations, or demolition activities that disturb these materials. This post will then look into hidden health hazards in such commercial buildings.
Importance of Identifying Health Hazards in Older Buildings
Commercial buildings, built before 1990, may pose a range of underlying health risks, which may contain asbestos, lead-based paint, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other indoor air pollutants like mould, radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These materials can pose long-term health risks if disturbed or not properly managed.
Here’s a chart listing some of the key health hazards:
| Hazardous Material | Where it’s found in commercial buildings | Health risks associated with exposure |
| Asbestos | Fireproofing, insulation, cement products, and textured paints. | Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis |
| Lead | Lead-based paints, plumbing systems, pipe flashings, etc. | Nervous system damage, blood and liver changes, impaired cognitive function |
| Mold and Bacteria | Areas with moisture or water damage. | Respiratory problems, allergies, asthma attacks, etc. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, and so on. | Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and potential long-term organ damage. |
Table 1: Key hidden health hazards in older buildings
And it is for these reasons and health hazards, which are commonly found hidden in older properties, that testing becomes necessary. Since asbestos is a common issue, among all of these observed, asbestos testing is absolutely needed. However, analysis and testing for the other issues can also be extremely critical for the management of health and environmental safety.
Now, let’s take a deeper dive into 10 key issues that are commonly observed in older buildings:
#1. Asbestos
Asbestos is a material that was once widely used for insulation, fireproofing, and in many building materials (such as floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and cement products). The microscopic asbestos fibres, when disturbed, can become airborne. These airborne particles have carcinogenic properties, leading to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Thus, if you own a plot in a pre-1990s commercial property, it is highly crucial that you contact an asbestos consultant.
#2. Lead-based Paint
Buildings constructed in the 1970s often used lead-based paints. Such paint can lead to hazardous lead dust due to possible chipping or peeling. Exposure to lead dust can lead to nervous system damage as well as other health issues, with children being particularly susceptible to them. So, when operating in an old commercial building, it is also important to test for lead-based paint alongside asbestos testing.
#3. Mould and Fungi
Older buildings may have experienced several issues related to plumbing or even roof leaks over the years. Such issues can lead to a damp environment where mould thrives. Exposure to mould and fungi can lead to respiratory problems and can pose health risks alongside worsening existing health conditions.
#4. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are some of the most persistent environmental pollutants, which were commonly used in building materials in the pre-1990s. Materials such as paints, sealants, and electrical equipment such as transformers, all contained PCBs. These harmful elements can cause cancer, immune system suppression, or even reproductive problems. So, when going for an asbestos consultant, it’s best to make sure that they have systems for PCB testing as well.
#5. Radon
Radon gas is naturally occurring in some soils, but it also has the potential to accumulate in the basements of buildings. This gas is a well-known carcinogen and is one of the leading causes for lung cancer. Therefore, testing for Radon in a pre-90s building with a basement should be a crucial step to ensure the safety of occupants.
#6. Outdated Electrical Systems
Older electrical systems and wiring were not designed for the modern electrical requirements, especially in office buildings with significantly high power demands. Thus, the potential for hazards is created, related to issues such as overloaded circuits, frayed wiring, as well as increased fire risk. Thus, older buildings not only require asbestos testing, but testing for outdated electrical systems as well.
#7. Poor Indoor Air Quality
Many buildings constructed earlier than the 90s have accumulated off-gassing chemicals from materials such as adhesives, carpets, and cleaning agents. Also, poor ventilation in older systems can allow these chemicals to accumulate, leading to the risk of several health issues.
#8. Mercury
Mercury is often referred to as a silent hazard. It is found in old thermostats, thermometers, as well as in some fluorescent light bulbs, and can release toxic vapours if broken. These vapours can be extremely dangerous, affecting the nervous system, lungs, kidneys, as well as immune systems. Hence, it’s best to consider an asbestos consultant with expertise in mercury as well.
#9. Hazardous Insulation Materials
In commercial buildings constructed before the 90s, asbestos isn’t the only insulation material that you need to be worried about. This is because not all old insulation is asbestos. Some insulation materials can consist of cellulose fibres and mineral wool, which can cause skin irritation and temporary respiratory damage.
#10. Pest Infestations
Pests such as rodents can gnaw on electrical wiring, increasing the chances of short circuits, which pose a serious fire damage threat. Moreover, with older buildings, the structural damage has often already taken place within walls and ceilings, which further exacerbates the risks from possible short circuits in such buildings, especially in generally busy commercial structures.
Summing Up
Time has offered some important lessons when it comes to acceptable construction materials. This is most pertinent in buildings constructed in the 1970s and 80s, when restrictions were either minor or completely absent regarding building materials. The 10 examples have been of possible hidden health hazards in older commercial buildings, which demand additional focus and care.
Old Commercial Building? Get it Tested For Hazards Now!
From asbestos to lead-based paints to possible structural damage, old commercial buildings can have severe hidden hazard potential. So, it is important to contact an asbestos consultant, especially a consultant who also specialises in the identification of multiple hazards. Thus, don’t waste time, get the building tested for hazards now!
