Harmful substances when renovating a house in France
Jos Deuling, Thursday, 12 December 2019
There may be times when you need to carry out repairs or renovations on your French property. Doing the renovation work yourself is, of course, much cheaper than hiring a handyman or contractor. Renovation also increases the value of your property. However, renovation can also pose risks to your health. It is therefore important to be aware of the health, environmental, and chemical risks you may encounter.
What dangerous situations might you encounter?
What are the health risks?
Prolonged exposure to substances released during a renovation can lead to the following health risks:
How do you manage these health risks?
It is, of course, important to thoroughly inspect the house before purchasing it. France has a number of legally required inspections. If the property poses too many health risks, you should not buy it. Otherwise, you can take the following measures to reduce health risks:
There may be times when you need to carry out repairs or renovations on your French property. Doing the renovation work yourself is, of course, much cheaper than hiring a handyman or contractor. Renovation also increases the value of your property. However, renovation can also pose risks to your health. It is therefore important to be aware of the health, environmental, and chemical risks you may encounter.
What dangerous situations might you encounter?
- Asbestos
- Lead paint
- Radon, an odorless and colorless gas that can cause lung cancer
- Moisture
- Poor ventilation
- Pollutants from combustion appliances such as stoves, fireplaces, space heaters, dryers, and water heaters.
What are the health risks?
Prolonged exposure to substances released during a renovation can lead to the following health risks:
- Mesothelioma and lung cancer from exposure to asbestos and radon
- Headaches and eye pain from lead paint
- Persistent coughing and respiratory problems from exposure to chemicals and moisture
- Skin rashes and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat from chemicals and other pollutants
- Damage to the kidneys and liver, as well as problems with your central nervous system
How do you manage these health risks?
It is, of course, important to thoroughly inspect the house before purchasing it. France has a number of legally required inspections. If the property poses too many health risks, you should not buy it. Otherwise, you can take the following measures to reduce health risks:
- Before you start demolishing anything, check if there are labels on the materials that can help you identify whether they contain harmful substances such as asbestos or formaldehyde
- Hire an expert to inspect the property for harmful substances like mold and lead
- Ensure that the area in which you are working is well-ventilated
- If you have hired a contractor, let them handle the dangerous tasks. A contractor has more experience with these types of jobs and can better assess the risks and is often aware of the necessary safety measures.
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Between 1993 and 2015 we bought several houses in France. We also assisted many Dutch compatriots who bought a home, by giving them legal guidance and
by taking care of the inspection of the property. We have encountered many situations that are potential pitfalls. We have summarized them for readers
with little time.