These materials may pose a hazard to human health. The process of removal is called remediation and must be done by professionals.

Inorganic materials that are mined or quarried for use in the construction industry may contain properties that are hazardous. Some of these materials have been used for thousands of years in various applications, such as insulation, glass, mortar, plaster and for industrial uses.

Many older residential buildings will contain these materials in their structure and finishes. You may run into these materials in both hidden and obvious places. If you do see them, try not to move them - they may be relatively inert if they are undisturbed. If they must be removed, call for professional remediation.

HAZARDOUS MINERALS - Descriptions:

The mineral materials described here are some of the most common used in historic construction and/or building materials that may still be in use.

• Asbestos: Breathing in asbestos fibres may cause serious respiratory problems; it is a known carcinogen. It may be found in:
  • old building and pipe insulation,
  • fabricated materials such as gaskets and floor tiles,
  • wall panels, duct wrapping and wallboard joint compounds.
  • may be present in some plaster and textured stucco finishes

• Silica: A very fine sand or stone dust. Breathing in silica dust may cause respiratory problems. It may be found in:
  • mortar, plaster and stucco applications

• Vermiculite: A lightweight brownish-white stone material, usually in small nuggets. Some old applications of vermiculite as insulation may contain asbestos, due to the location where the material was mined.