Planning repair and finishing work, many of us carefully study the characteristics of all materials used, in particular, the drywall used to cover the walls and the ceiling. And in the course of such a study, the question is naturally raised: Is it harmful to health drywall?
Rumors about the dangers that plasterboard lifting can cause human health, circulate quite actively. In this article we will try to figure out if the share of truth is in these rumors.
If you do everything right, harm will be minimal
General information about plasterboard
Composition of plasterboard
The structure of plasterboard sheet
To understand how harmful plasterboard is harmful to health, it is necessary to study the composition of this material as much as possible.
So, what is the plasterboard?
- The basis of the plasterboard is a building gypsum - natural material obtained by firing at 1800 followed by magnificent.
- In addition to the gypsum, the filler may include starch, PVA glue, fiberglass, etc.
- The hardened gypsum is placed between two layers of dense cardboard, which plays the role of fittings. According to GOST 8740-85, cardboard sheets are used with a density of 0.17 to 0.22 kg / m2 for the production of building drywall.
- The edges of the cardboard are bend around the ends of the plasterboard sheet, forming a securely protected edge. The main function of this edge is to protect the drywall when storing and transporting.
Plasterboard production
Types of plasterboard
Today, plasterboard decoration plates of several varieties are presented in the building material market.
They are distinguished by their composition, operational characteristics, as well as the price: as a rule, drywall with additional properties is more expensive than standard.
- GLC - Standard Plasterboard . The surface of such a plasterboard is made of gray cardboard, the marking is applied with blue paint.
Standard drywall sheet does not contain substances harmful to human health and can be used for interior decoration of rooms with normal humidity.
- G CLEM - moisture resistant material . The cardboard shell is impregnated with waterproof mixtures and antifungal composition, which prevents the rehabilitation of drywall.
Such plasterboard makes green (appearance is shown in the photo) and use indoors with high humidity - bathrooms, etc.
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Moisture-resistant plasterboard
- GKLO - fire-resistant plasterboard sheet . Gypsum filler contains reinforcing fiberglass supplements, so when burning out the cardboard layer, the plasterboard lifting socks and retains its structure.
Even with combustion does not release toxic substances (except, of course, carbon monoxide).
- Glevo - Combined Material combining high temperatures and wet resistance. Like previous varieties, does not contain toxins and heavy metals.
As you can see, in the composition of high-quality (i.e. produced according to the requirements of GOST) of drywall there is nothing that could cause the harmfulness of drywall. Nevertheless, in some situations, plasterboard lifting can cause health problems.
Harmful effects of plasterboard
When plasterboard can harm health
Dust can form during cutting
Solving whether plasterboard is harmful to a person, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the composition of this material, but also for the conditions in which the material will be applied. And here lies several "pitfalls" that need to be considered.
So all the same than harmful drywall?
- First, when working with plasterboard, plaster dust stands out, which, like any other dust, is dangerous for human respiratory organs..
Systematic inhalation of plaster dust can cause irritation of mucous membranes, as well as to provoke the development of respiratory diseases.
Tip!
In order to prevent the effects of plaster dust on the body, all work on the sawing and drilling of plasterboard sheets is performed in the means of individual protection.
After completing the work, the dust formed should be removed immediately.
Mold on Dzozov
- Secondly, ordinary drywall has a porous structure, and when moisturizing becomes a substrate favorable for the development of mold fungi..
It is fungal infections that often underlie the ideas about how harmful drywall for health.
- Most often this is happening in cases where non-fatty plasterboard plates are used to finish the slopes with their own hands after replacing windows: condensation moisture accumulates inside the slope, and drywall is infected with mold.
As a result, toxic substances (so-called mycotoxins) are inserted into the premises, which inhibit the immune system and provoke allergic reactions.
Tip!
To avoid fungal contamination, set the slopes and additionally handle fungicides plasterboard.
- Also harm of the drywall may be due to the presence of formaldehyde or phenolic compounds in its composition.
It is rarely found, and only in cheap poor-quality varieties of GLK, most often - Chinese production. To avoid this, you need to carefully approach the selection of drywall.
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So it is harmful to decide whether plasterboard is harmful or not, taking into account the specific situation. And yet we will give several tips that can reduce the likelihood of unpleasant consequences to a minimum.
Challenges for choosing and processing GLK
If you are planning to squeeze the apartment with your own hands, then this manual for the selection of quality material will be useful to you:
- The first thing to pay attention is the color of the filler. The better than the plaster, the closer its color to white.
Plasterboard with filler gray, pinkish or bluish color is less qualitative, and therefore it has no good performance characteristics.
- The structure of the filler must be homogeneous, the gypsum should not be freely sharpened or peel from the cardboard shell.
- Cardboard should not have blown or damage, the thickness of the cardboard layer must be uniform.
Respirator for cutting drywall
In addition, it is necessary to correctly use the material, then its possible harm will be minimal:
- It is necessary to properly select a type of drywall for performing certain works (see also choose plasterboard for the ceiling). If you try to save and use standard drywall instead of moisture-resistant - mold will develop in it soon.
- Working with drywall follows, in compliance with the safety regulations for personal protective equipment, as shown in the video.
After analyzing all this information, we can confidently declare that the answer to the question is "harmful whether plasterboard is harmful in the apartment?" Fully depends on you. If you choose a high-quality material and will use it according to the rules - no harm of plasterboard will bring!