Aerated concrete blocks are harmful to health: truth and

Analyzing information about porous building materials, one can find the opinion that aerated concrete is harmful to health. Of course, the easiest way is to dismiss such statements, considering them to be mere fiction, but it is better to analyze the composition and take into account all possible risks.

This is the issue we will dedicate our article.

Analysis of aerated concrete

To understand whether aerated concrete is harmful to health, it is necessary to analyze its composition and production technology:

• The basis of the material is a cement mortar with the addition of sand and lime.
• In the process of preparing the solution, granulated or paste-like gas-forming additives are introduced into the cement-sand mixture. Reacting with water, the aluminum component of these additives releases gas, which forms the pore system inside the material.
• To improve the mechanical properties of aerated concrete, slags or ash can be added to it.
• After completion of the reaction, the mixture is first subjected to primary hardening when heated, then the finished blocks are cut and autoclaved, processing them with heated steam.

Actually, other cellular concrete is produced according to a similar scheme.

True, there are differences in technological processes:

• For example, to make foam concrete instead of an aluminum compound, synthetic or protein foaming agent is added to the solution..
• And in the production of polystyrene concrete, the cellular structure of the material is formed by polymer granules, which are made from waste construction or packaging foam.

Of course, the instructions for the manufacture of these materials contain many other nuances not mentioned here, but we are primarily interested in the composition. Now let's try to analyze which components of aerated concrete can affect human health.

Harmful or not?

For good health

The negative impact of the material is usually divided into two aspects:

• The risk of poisoning a person through contact or prolonged stay in the room.
• Destructive effect on the environment.

We will try to consider both aspects in sufficient detail, and we will begin with the one “closer to the body”.

So, does aerated harm health?

• First, you need to pay attention to the foundation. Cement and sand, which are in a bound state, have no effect on our body. So there is definitely nothing to fear.
• Lime, too, usually does not cause problems, especially since after autoclaving almost all of it turns into an inert state.

Note! Materials with a high content of lime are distinguished by a significant hygroscopicity, because they should be protected from contact with water. However, this is relevant only for situations where we pour cellular concrete with our own hands: industrial designs usually lack this drawback.

• Next - gas-forming additives, which, in fact, are considered one of the risk factors. But here too, everything is in order: firstly, aluminum, which provides gas evolution, is non-toxic, and secondly, ordinary hydrogen is emitted during the hydration process.

• We still have supplements, and here we must be very careful. The fact is that both ash and slags can have very different origins, and therefore the content of heavy metals and toxins (lead, arsenic, etc.) cannot be excluded. Of course, their share in the material will be scanty, but in any case, this should be avoided.
• The way out of this situation is quite simple: it is necessary to purchase aerocrete from certified manufacturers. Yes, the price will be slightly higher, but you can be sure that all the components underwent radiological and toxicological testing before entering the solution.

It is also worth saying a few words about other types of porous concretes:

• Foam concrete does not contain anything that can have a negative impact on our body.
• But the question of whether polystyrene concrete is harmful to health is rather complicated. By itself, the material is completely safe, but with strong heating there is a risk that the polystyrene granules will melt, releasing a toxic gas. However, this material is classified as non-flammable, because the risk of such a situation is minimal.

It must also be remembered that the open pores of such materials may be colonized by fungi or pathogens. To avoid this, it is necessary to maintain a minimum level of moisture in the masonry, but here it is enough to observe the technology of construction and finishing of structures.

For the environment

We should also discuss the environmental impact of the material. Here the radiation characteristics of concrete come to the fore.

Note! The word "radiation" in this context should not be afraid. Even the natural composition itself has a natural background: it is caused by the presence of trace amounts of such elements as radium, thorium, potassium, etc.

Compare the radiation hazard of various building materials can be on the table:

As you can see, the radiation hazard index of such blocks is minimal, which makes it possible to attribute it to the first class of materials for this parameter.

Other advantages of aerated concrete from the point of view of ecology include:

• The absence of synthetic materials (phenols, resins, polymers).
• Low flammability even with direct exposure to open flame.

Note! When the gas block is heated, toxins do not enter the atmosphere. The hydrogen contained in the pores is simply oxidized to water, which immediately evaporates.

• The stable structure of the material, which ensures extremely slow decomposition during disposal and the inclusion of elements in the natural cycle of the circulation. Aerated concrete is rather inert, therefore, getting into the water or into the soil, does not poison them with decomposition products.

Conclusion

Of course, it is necessary to study information on whether foam concrete, aerated concrete, etc. is harmful to health. However, one should not forget that most of the “horror stories”, with careful verification, prove to be not confirmed by factual material, and it is quite easy to cope with real threats. In more detail this issue is covered in the video in this article, because we recommend that you carefully review it.