The Hidden Dangers in Building Products: When Construction Materials Cause Harm

From homes and schools to office buildings and hospitals, construction materials are part of the literal foundation of our lives. But many people don’t realize that some of these materials, especially those containing toxic chemicals, can pose serious health risks. Whether it’s asbestos in insulation, harmful fumes from adhesives, or long-term exposure to volatile compounds, the consequences can be devastating.

At Morgan & Morgan, we represent individuals and families harmed by unsafe products, including those hidden behind your walls or under your feet. If you or a loved one has been exposed to hazardous building materials or chemicals and suffered illness or injury, you may be entitled to compensation through a product liability claim.

Toxic Hazards Where You Least Expect Them

Modern building materials are designed for strength, efficiency, and durability. But in many cases, these goals have come at the cost of safety, especially when manufacturers cut corners, fail to warn about health risks, or knowingly market dangerous products.

Some of the most concerning construction-related products include:

• Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs): Found in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, and cement—even decades after its known health risks were discovered.
• Spray foam insulation and sealants: Can emit toxic fumes (like isocyanates) that cause respiratory distress and skin burns if applied without proper protection or ventilation.
• Construction adhesives and glues: Often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde or toluene, leading to headaches, nausea, or long-term organ damage.
• Lead-based paints and primers: Still found in older buildings, especially schools and homes built before the 1978 ban.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials: Found in flooring and pipes, with some forms releasing harmful dioxins over time.

Exposure to these substances may occur during construction, renovation, demolition, or simply from living or working in a contaminated environment.

How These Products Cause Injury

The harm caused by toxic building materials is often long-term, making it harder to link exposure to symptoms immediately. However, the health effects can be serious and even fatal. Common health issues include:

• Respiratory conditions: Chronic coughing, asthma, bronchitis, or permanent lung damage from inhaling chemical vapors or fibers.
• Cancer: Long-term asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma and lung cancer; VOCs are associated with leukemia and liver cancer.
• Neurological problems: Headaches, memory issues, dizziness, or cognitive impairments linked to chemical exposure.
• Skin and eye injuries: Burns, rashes, or vision damage from contact with caustic adhesives or sealants.
• Organ damage: Liver, kidney, and reproductive system damage from extended contact with toxins like formaldehyde or lead.

In many cases, people are exposed without their knowledge, only discovering the danger after symptoms emerge.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

When someone is harmed by building materials or chemicals, there are several potentially liable parties:

• Manufacturers, for creating or selling inherently dangerous or improperly labeled products.
• Distributors and suppliers who may have failed to warn retailers or consumers about product risks.
• Employers or contractors who knowingly use harmful materials without providing adequate protective equipment or training.
• Property owners, in cases where tenants, workers, or visitors were exposed to known hazards like asbestos or lead.

Product liability laws hold companies accountable for defects in:

• Design: If the product is dangerous even when used correctly.
• Manufacture: If something went wrong during production.
• Marketing/Warnings: If the company failed to provide clear, adequate safety information.

You may not need to prove negligence, only that the product was dangerous and caused you harm.

What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed

If you suspect that you’ve been harmed by a toxic building material or chemical, don’t wait. Take these steps:

• Seek medical attention to document symptoms and potential exposure.
• Preserve evidence, keep product labels, containers, or materials when possible.
• Get your environment tested for toxic substances (asbestos, lead, VOCs, etc.).
• Document your work or living conditions, including dates, materials used, and symptoms.
• Speak with a product liability attorney to assess your legal options.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight for people harmed by dangerous products, no matter how big the corporation behind them. We work with environmental scientists, medical experts, and investigators to uncover the truth and build strong cases for compensation.

We may be able to help you recover:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income or earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Property decontamination or relocation costs
• Wrongful death (in fatal exposure cases)

Built with Toxic Products? We’ll Help You Tear Down the Damage

If hazardous materials in your home, workplace, or renovation project made you sick, you don’t have to face it alone. You deserve answers, accountability, and support.

Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation. Because when corporations bury danger in the walls, we stand strong For The People.