ALLERGY TO BUILDING AND DECORATING MATERIALS: ROT TREATMENTS

Treatments for dry and wet rot are usually composed of a fungicide, dissolved in an organic solvent. Timber treatments often contain an insecticide as well. Treatments for dry rot on brick and stonework contain a fungicide, or sometimes bleach. The fungicides used are unpleasant toxic chemicals, including phenols and tributyltin, and they, plus the solvents used, can cause persistent sensitivity. Avoid them if you possibly can.

Treatments of this kind are usually sprayed or applied on site. If you absolutely have to use them, make sure you are not around while they are being used, and air the building well, if necessary staying somewhere else for some time before returning.

Use alternatives wherever possible. Timbers affected by rot can often be cut out and replaced with timber treated in advance. Ask for timber which has been vacuum-impregnated with salts of copper, chromium and arsenic, and ask for it to be aired for some time before use. These are toxic salts which are forced into the timber through vacuum treatment. These salts do not cause sensitivity over the life of the building. This treatment is available from all major rot treatment firms and is accepted by building societies to meet conditions of mortgage. Timber of this type can also be used for fencing, doors, window frames and other external timber applications.

Some hardwood timbers are more resistant to rot than softwoods such as pine. Use a resistant hardwood if you can, although they are more expensive and now less available because of concerns over rainforest depletion. The choices include greenheart, iroko, cedar, padauk, white oak, teak and hickory.

If you cannot cut out timber and replace it, and need to apply something on site, use Boric Salt powder which again is solvent-free and fume-free, although it is toxic and needs handling carefully. It will not cause sensitivity, but can irritate on use. This is available from Livos and from The Healthy House.

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Tags: Allergies