Neoprene and asphalt roofing glues will produce toxic fumes when heated. Most roofing glues produce toxic fumes when heated. Can breathing tar fumes from roofs cause cancer? What about skin contact? There is no direct evidence that inhaling the smell of roof tar causes cancer. Some epidemiological studies conducted on asphalt workers suggest that they may be at greater risk of skin, lung, stomach and bladder cancer, as well as leukemia.
Skin contact with roof tar has been shown to cause tumors in laboratory animals. Air quality issues during a roofing project can cause delays and increase costs due to odor problems and potential health problems on the part of the building's occupants. Pre-planning and communication between all stakeholders, including building management, roofing contractor, and building occupants, are critical to avoiding problems. Air emissions generated by roofing works can cause serious indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in occupied buildings.
The following information addresses some of the common problems associated with roofing projects and some methods for reducing problems. Laboratory studies conducted with roof tar extracts have demonstrated changes in the DNA of human fetal cells exposed to asphalt smoke extracts. The adhesives used in rubber roofing projects can emit large amounts of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Long-term health consequences are not expected from levels found inside buildings during roofing projects.
Schedule roofing work near fresh air intakes at a time when the building is unoccupied to avoid environmental quality issues. Low-slope hot tar roofs typically use an integrated roofing system that is manufactured on-site with layers of felt and pitch of hot applied asphalt or coal tar. Communication before and during a roofing project is a team effort and should include the roofing contractor, building management and building occupants. Roofing projects in schools should be planned when there are no classes, in summer or during holidays.
One night, employees at a rest stop on a highway complained of odors caused by the roofing work that had started that same day. A designated representative, such as a health and safety officer or a school nurse, should be available to receive complaints from occupants who have problems with odors caused by the roofing project.
