As anyone with experience in or knowledge of the construction industry knows, you have to be careful when working on demolition sites. There are several different characteristics of demolition sites that make them dangerous, most notably the handful of hazardous materials you regularly come across. Rojac Construction, based in Wailuku, HI, shares a few of the worst hazardous materials on demolition sites. 

4 Hazardous Materials Found on Demolition Sites

1. Lead Paint

Many of us have heard of the detrimental health effects of lead paint — prolonged exposure can lead to poisoning, nervous system damage, and even harm the brain and kidneys. Because lead was a major ingredient in house paint for a large part of the 20th century, many demolition sites regularly feature the toxic material. 

2. Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Used in electrical systems throughout the 1960s and 1970s, polychlorinated biphenyls—PCB for short—was later found to pose a significant hazard to human health. When PCB begins to decompose, it can cause thyroid disease and a range of birth defects. 

3. Asbestos

One of the most widespread hazardous construction materials, asbestos is made of a half-dozen fibrous minerals that combine for an extremely pliant, durable substance. Unfortunately, it was eventually discovered that asbestos causes mesothelioma, a lethal cancer that forms in the lungs and heart. 

4. Ozone-Depleting Substances

These materials were commonly used in manufacturing plants in the early and mid-20th century. Although they pose no known threat to humans, they erode the ozone layer around the earth’s atmosphere and thus must be safely disposed of. 

While working on demolition sites requires constant vigilance and precautionary measures, few companies are more experienced in carrying out safe, successful demolition projects than Rojac Construction. For over two decades, the professionals at Rojac Construction have successfully worked on excavation, demolition, and major infrastructure overhauls. Visit the excavation contractor team's website to learn more about their demolition work, or call directly at (808) 986-1105.