Demolition
Any sort of demolition, from scraping loose paint and plaster
to completely gutting a room, creates a lot of dust. The consequences
of breathing or ingesting this dust can range from irritating
(in the case of plaster dust) to fatal (in the case of asbestos
or, rarely, lead-based coatings).
Plaster Dust
Plaster dust can be extremely irritating to the upper respiratory
system. It's alkaline and can damage tissue in the nose and
sinuses. Allergic people and asthmatics can experience labored
breathing after exposure. Wear a tightfitting, high-quality
dust mask when scraping plaster or demolishing plaster walls.
Creosote
Creosote is nasty stuff. Although it's being phased out as a
preservative, and is no longer legal in marine applications,
it can still be found in some preservative formulations. Creosote
is absorbed through the skin. Local effects of creosote contact
include ulcerations of the skin, dermatitis, burns, and itching.
Inhalation of creosote vapors produces irritation to the respiratory
system and may cause nausea and vomiting. Eye contact can cause
permanent corneal scarring. Once in the system, creosote can
cause headaches, vomiting, respiratory problems, convulsions,
and possibly death.
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