Commercial and Home Inspector Safety: Carcinogens on the Job

HHS Adds More Substances to its Report on Carcinogens

On June 10, 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added eight more substances to its latest Report on Carcinogens (RoC). Originally mandated by Congress, the Report, which is prepared for the HHS secretary by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), now includes 240 chemicals, biological agents and other substances that the NTP has deemed fall into one of two categories:  known human carcinogens; and substances reasonably anticipated to be carcinogenic.  Factors such as individual susceptibility and the amount and duration of exposure ultimately determine whether a substance listed in the RoC will cause cancer in humans. 

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health, public and private-sector support can lead to the nomination of an agent suspected to cause cancer, and it then undergoes rigorous scientific testing, as well as a public comment period, before landing on the list.  Other federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, among others, contribute their own data and expertise to the evaluation process.

Of this list, formaldehyde and aristolochic acids have been confirmed as known carcinogens, while the remaining six are anticipated to be a cancer risk.  

Politics vs. Protection

It’s not news that formaldehyde and certain inhalable fibers (such as those found in insulation) are major irritants with prolonged or repeated exposure, and these substances pose well-known risks to home inspectors and those in the construction industry.  Formaldehyde, in particular, was listed as an anticipated carcinogen as early as the second RoC, and only managed to inch its way onto the known carcinogens list after years of repeated testing.  

But heavy lobbying by the chemical industry had apparently held up these findings and delayed release of the latest RoC for several years. Normally, the release of an RoC results in education campaigns, as well as federal legislation aimed at protecting the public, and may draw or redefine limits for workplace exposure.  Legislation may also be enacted to either limit or ban substances in the manufacture and import of carcinogenic items.  

Formaldehyde:  An Old Foe

The first U.S. standards limiting formaldehyde in composite wood products sold and manufactured in the U.S. were signed into law by President Obama in 2010.  The toughest standards worldwide, they target the formaldehyde-containing resins and glue used in the manufacture of particleboard and medium-density fiberboard, which are typically used to construct low-cost cabinetry and furniture, and hardwood plywood, which is a common material used in flooring.  These standards went into effect January 2013, capping formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products at 0.09 parts per million.

Despite the strength and durability of materials such as particleboard, most types contain formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) whose emissions are not worth the risk to one’s health.  Minor symptoms from prolonged exposure include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract, skin rashes, fatigue and headaches.  In sensitive persons, it can trigger an asthma attack.  It’s now been confirmed that it can also cause nasopharyngeal cancer, which affects the upper throat.

In addition to the formaldehyde found in wood composite products, it’s also found in synthetic fibers, textile coatings and plastics.  Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, is especially concerned about the widespread use of formaldehyde in the structures and components of homes, as well as the furniture and household goods found within.  As reported by The New York Times, Dr. Otis said, "It's the smell in new houses… It's everywhere."  The tactical delay in releasing the latest RoC means that humans have been unnecessarily exposed, and the toll in cancer statistics, both casual and occupational, is yet to be fully felt.

Other Added Carcinogens and Their Effects

According to the 12^th RoC, of the other seven carcinogens, some pose direct hazards and others pose lower or indirect danger to home inspectors and homeowners.  Here are their characteristics and risks:

1. Styrene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor.  It’s a highly volatile industrial chemical used to make polystyrene and resins, such as reinforced plastic and rubbers.  Exposure is mostly occupational, apart from the risk of that produced by cigarette smoke.
   
2. Certain inhalable glass wool fibers include synthetic and man-made small, finely spun fibers of glass that form a mass resembling wool.  Due to their low durability, most home insulation fibers are less likely to cause cancer in humans.  However, mechanistic studies have shown that some glass wool fibers have the potential to cause damage to DNA.
   
3. Cobalt–tungsten carbide hard metals are commonly referred to as cemented carbides, and the terms sintered carbide and tungsten car­bides may also be used.  Exposure is mostly occupational.  About 70% of cobalt–tungsten carbide hard-metal production is used for cutting tools and 30% for wear-resistant materials, primarily for tools for mining and grinding operations.
4. Aristolochic acids are a family of acids found naturally in the plants Aristolochia and Asarum, which grow throughout the United States and worldwide, and are used in herbal medicines and botanical products, including those that people may use for personal hygiene.
5. Captafol is a fungicide that was used until 1987 to control fungal diseases of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and grasses, and was also used as a seed treatment.  Additionally, it was used in the timber industry to control wood-rot fungi on logs and wood products.  Legal use of existing stocks was allowed after 1987; however, in 1999, the EPA further restricted its use.
   
6. Ortho-nitrotoluene has been detected in the air, private well water and groundwater of proximate industrial spills and nearby military training grounds and factories that produce this chemical, which is used in the manufacture of commercial and military explosives.
   
7. Riddelliine-containing plants are not used for food and have no known com­mercial uses. However, two cases of accidental poison­ing of infants were reported in the southwestern U.S. when it was used in medicinal herb preparations.  

Safety Tips for Inspectors

• Always wear the appropriate PPE.  For chemical and other types of high-risk exposure, this means coveralls and gloves to prevent direct contact with harmful substances, and a respirator that can filter out harmful gases and particulates, as well as protect your mucous membranes.
• If a home or commercial property has components that contain hazardous substances, limit your exposure by limiting your time and contact.  This may mean doing something as simple as going outside for a break and resuming your inspection after you’ve had an opportunity to clear your lungs and dust off your PPE.  If your respiratory tract is sensitive or sore, drinking milk or having a snack of yogurt or other dairy product can coat your throat and protect it short-term from chemical irritants.
• Educate your clients on the hazards of common household and industrial carcinogens, whether those agents are confirmed or suspected.  There is no need to alarm them, but knowledge is your clients’ greatest protection.  Refer them to the many relevant articles in InterNACHI’s articles archive.

Safety Tips for Homeowners

• In addition to being highly toxic, formaldehyde is highly flammable, which is another good reason to bypass products that contain it.  Homeowners should find out where their indoor and structural wood components come from and opt for high-quality, eco-friendly products that are formaldehyde-free.  There are many non-profit and governmental organizations that maintain lists of products and manufacturers for these types of goods.
• Buy furniture, drapery and other household textiles made of untreated natural fibers.  These may be new-generation, vintage or imported items.
• Maintain adequate ventilation throughout the home.
• If you smoke, don’t smoke in the home or in an area outdoors that sucks exterior air into the home.  Cigarette smoke contains a host of known carcinogens, including styrene, and second-hand exposure is a known cancer risk.
• Maintain a moderate level of indoor humidity for your climate.
• Have your new-construction home inspected by an InterNACHI inspector, and follow up with annual home maintenance inspections to ensure the safety of your home and the health of your family.