VELENI ED ALCHIMIE NEI MATERIALI DELL’EDILIZIA PRE INDUSTRIALE

Abstract

Since at least two decades, a renewed sensitivity to biocompatibility and the consequent diffusion of eco-certified building products have led to the attention of designers and operators on the issue of the healthness of construction materials. Although the application of strict protocols guarantees for new constructions very high levels of healthiness for both construction workers and users who come into direct contact with building materials and components, the issue for the characterization of potentially hazardous materials arises in many case for historical buildings. In addition to the well-known asbestos problem, there are new worrying signs deriving from the ascertainment in the incidence increasing of some pathologies. Recent alarms arising from the increase in lead poisoning cases attributed to old white lead based paints degradation, the confirmation of tar-derived products harmfulness and the presence of toxic substances in some pre-industrial finishing make mandatory the assessment of the healthiness conditions of the existing building heritage.