Builders could be unintentionally bringing toxic metals home

By Tom Campbell via SWNS

Builders could be unintentionally putting their families at risk by bringing toxic metals home scientists have warned after examining the contents of their vacuum cleaners.

Simple precautions like changing clothes, washing hands and having a work locker could help prevent these harmful metals from putting children and other family members at risk, according to a new study.

While the majority of research into toxic materials being brought home by workers has focused on lead, much less is known about other metals.

Now, scientists in the United States have discovered a host of other toxic metals which construction workers in particular, could be bringing home.

Author Dr. Diana Ceballos at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) said: "Given the lack of policies and trainings in place to stop this contamination in high-exposure workplaces such as construction sites, it is inevitable that these toxic metals will migrate to the homes, families, and communities of exposed workers.

"Many professions are exposed to toxic metals at work, but construction workers have a more difficult job implementing safe practices when leaving the worksite because of the type of transient outdoor environments where they work, and the lack of training on these topics.”

A pilot study was carried out involving 27 Greater Boston workers, including builders, caretaker and maintenance workers, between 2018 and 2019.

Dust vacuum samples were collected from their homes to see whether there were any traces of toxic metals.

They were also given a questionnaire about work and home-related practices which could limit the spread of these harmful substances.

Builders were more likely to bring toxic metals like cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese and nickel into their homes, the researchers found.

The study identified and measured the highest number of metals - 30, in construction workers’ homes to date.

A number of factors were found to make matters worse, like not having a work locker to store clothes or mixing tools with personal items.

Likewise, builders who did not wash their hands or change clothes after work were more likely to expose their homes.

Dr. Ceballos said: "Further compounding the issue is that many construction workers live in disadvantages communities or substandard housing that may already contain toxic metals.

"Given the complexity of these issues, we need interventions on all fronts—not only policies, but also resources and education for these families."

The findings were published in the journal Environmental Research.