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Construction Exposure Assessment

Living near a construction site? I'll check what your family might be breathing and create a personalized protection plan.

Step 1 of 4
How close is the construction?
Distance is the biggest factor in your exposure. PM2.5 particles travel 20-50 meters, while larger dust particles settle within 100 meters.
Step 2 of 4
What type of work is happening?
Different construction activities release different chemicals. Select the one that best describes what you see.
Step 3 of 4
How old is the building being worked on?
Older buildings may contain lead paint and asbestos, which dramatically increases exposure risk during construction.
Step 4 of 4
Who lives in your home?
Select all that apply. Young children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to airborne chemicals.

Questions About Construction Exposure

This tool uses data from California's Proposition 65 list (900+ chemicals), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) to identify which chemicals are associated with different types of construction. The risk score is an estimate based on distance, activity type, building age, and family vulnerability factors. For a precise measurement, consider hiring a certified industrial hygienist to test your indoor air quality.

Demolition of older buildings (pre-1978) is typically the highest risk because it can release asbestos fibers, lead paint dust, and crystalline silica simultaneously. These are all confirmed human carcinogens. Road work and painting/finishing are also high-risk due to diesel exhaust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The good news is that distance dramatically reduces exposure, and a quality HEPA air purifier can filter out 99.97% of airborne particles.

Research shows that PM2.5 particles (fine dust) can travel 20-50 meters from a construction site, while PM10 particles (coarser dust) typically settle within 100 meters. If you're more than 300 feet away, your exposure drops significantly. However, on windy days, fine particles can travel much farther. If you can see dust from construction, your family is being exposed. Running a HEPA air purifier indoors is one of the most effective steps regardless of distance.

Some of the product links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or have thoroughly researched. The risk assessment and recommendations are based entirely on published safety data and are never influenced by affiliate relationships.

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