Loading

Skip to main content

Hazardous substances

Hazardous substances are common in homes, workplaces, and public areas. Find out more about the various substances and how they affect health.

In case of poisoning

For information about poisons or in case of poisoning, call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766

If you or someone else requires urgent medical attention call 111

National Poisons Centre (external link)

Agricultural compounds and pesticides

Agricultural compounds are used for many purposes, including protecting native plants and wildlife and minimising health risks from pests.

Arsenic

If you live in an area contaminated with arsenic, find out what you need to know and how to protect your family’s health.

Asbestos

Learn about identifying materials that contain asbestos in your home, the health risks of asbestos and what you can do about asbestos.

Contaminated soil

Soil contamination results where hazardous substances are either spilled on or buried in the soil, or migrate from a spill that occurred elsewhere.

Fires and smoke

Fires can expose people to a range of hazardous substances.

Lead-based paint

You can get lead poisoning if you do not take care when you remove lead-based paint from the inside or outside of a building.

Mercury

Mercury vaporises at room temperature and breathing in this vapour can be harmful to your health.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Persistent Organic Pollutants are compounds that do not break down easily, and stay in the environment.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which comes from uranium and radium. Trace concentrations of these elements are found in soils, rocks and building materials. Radon is naturally present in low concentrations in the air. But it can build up indoors in spaces that are poorly ventilated or underground.

Land and home contamination

Substances that could cause you harm may be found in your home or the land it is built on. These contaminants may be there because of the way the land was once used, the materials used to build your home or activities in or near your home.

Wastewater

We use large amounts of water in our homes, workplaces, farms and buildings. After we have used this water, it does not just go away. Some of it soaks into the ground, but much of it eventually ends up in a wastewater system.