What risks are there in home renovations? Are some products safer?

Older homes can have lead in the paint or asbestos in the walls, pipes, flooring, paint, insulation or cement blocks.

Asbestos can damage the lungs and lead to lung disease and cancer. It can be found in older homes and buildings. It may be in plaster walls, pipes, flooring, paint, insulation, or cement blocks.

You can reduce your exposure to asbestos by always having asbestos testing and removal done by trained professionals.

Learn more about safer renovations here.

Use low volatile organic compound (VOC) products. These can include paint, glue and coatings. There are also low-emission carpets that release fewer chemicals into the air.

Learn more about VOCs here.