Number

110-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Several natural materials are used as alternatives to cement in vertical sidings. Commercial cement may contain hazardous substances as crystalline silica dust (carcinogen and endocrine disruptor) or hexavalent chromium (carcinogen and sensitiser). Natural elements have been used for centuries in construction with excellent results. These natural materials include soil, ceramics, stone, straw and glass used in retaining walls. The article explains the advantages of each material and its most significant characteristics.

Substituted substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: The two substituted substances: hexavalent chromium and quartz are very dangerous as carcinogen 1 according to IARC. Both are listed in the hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: Natural substances with no risks.

Description of Substitution

Several natural materials are used as alternatives to cement in vertical sidings. Commercial cement may contain hazardous substances as crystalline silica dust (carcinogen and endocrine disruptor) or hexavalent chromium (carcinogen and sensitiser). Several alternative materials are used in sidings to avoid the use of toxic chemicals. Earth is one of the oldest materials in construction. It is obtained from clay, potassium silicate and sand, sundried or submitted to a cooking process. Single-sheet ceramic walls are optimal for the capture, accumulation and transmission of solar thermal energy towards the internal part of the siding, especially if they are exposed to the sun in winter. South-oriented ceramic walls are adequate for greenhouses, trombe walls and radiant heating. Natural elements have been used for centuries in construction with excellent results. These natural materials include soil, ceramics, stone, straw and glass used in retaining walls. The article explains the advantages of each material and its most significant characteristics. Stone can be used as a structural element in load-bearing walls or as external layers in non-bearing sidings. Among its many advantages are durability, high thermal inertia and acoustic insulation. Straw bales are practical, inexpensive and easy to acquire. This material has excellent qualities as acoustic and thermal insulator. It is also a pleasant material with optimal energy efficiency. Other optimal construction materials include: bio-blocks (ceramic blocks filled with granulated cork); steko-blocks (wooden blocks for quick construction that can be filled with cellulose); cannabrics (massive blocks made of stabilised earth, hemp and lime). In the case of non-bearing walls and sidings, Heraklit-type panels can be used. These are thermo-acoustic chipboard panels made of wooden fibre and magnesite. Mineralisation avoids biological deterioration and increases their resistance to fire. The efficiency of these materials has been proven through many years of use.

Case/substitution evaluation

These substitutions eliminate health and environmental risks. In some cases they imply higher costs and slower construction processes.

Type of publication and availability

Freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Antonio Marín Ecohabitar Magazine 2011

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www.ecohabitar.org/cerramientos-verticales-en-bioconstruccion/

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020