Health Unit encourages families to consider safer renovating
practices
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Spring is here, renovations are in the air!
But what else will be in the air and on the surfaces around you while
you renovate? There are ways to reduce your exposure to toxins and limit
what new toxins you bring into your home while renovating.
Why worry about toxins while renovating?
When you renovate, particles are disturbed and moved into the air
and on surfaces all over the home. Children and pregnant women are most
vulnerable to toxins. The rapid growth and development that is happening
in their bodies can be affected by exposure to harmful substances such
as lead, arsenic, asbestos and even mildews and moulds. The Canadian
Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment states “Lead in
paint is not "yesterday's problem." It remains a potentially dangerous
source of lead in any home built before 1978 (when the first steps were
taken in Canada to regulate the lead content of paint used on
indoor surfaces).”
What should I look for when renovating?
There is a lot of information available to use to assess your home’s
current condition. Older homes tend to have more risks related to lead
and asbestos. Newer homes may have furnishings and carpets with volatile
organic compounds. Before you purchase new building supplies, consider
the long-term environmental exposure to your family.
How do I dispose of the old building materials?
Municipalities have hazardous waste disposal sites available for
their residents. Old paint cans, cleaning products and painted wood need
careful disposal. Contact your local municipality for their sites and
dates for hazardous waste disposal.
Reliable information is available, check out some of these resources:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District
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