Are Roof Shingles Toxic?

Homeowners are now legitimately concerned about the toxicity of the materials used to make roof shingles, especially in the aftermath of asbestos cleanup programs that have shown how dangerous construction materials can be. However, are shingle roofs in any way toxic?

The petroleum-based materials used in the production of asphalt shingles are the main source of contamination in contemporary roof shingles. It has been demonstrated that these shingles emit dissolved organic carbon, which may obstruct efforts to collect rainwater.

If, on the other hand, you are attempting to extract drinkable water from your rainwater collection system, this issue may be readily resolved with a basic water treatment system. This post will address the safe installation and removal of roofing materials, with a particular emphasis on outdated shingles composed of components deemed more hazardous than contemporary substitutes.

Are Roof Shingles Harmful? 

Modern shingles may pose some toxicity concerns during installation, particularly if you’re collecting potable rainwater from your roof. Chemicals present in the shingles can seep into the runoff, contaminating the water. However, beyond this, shingles themselves aren’t generally considered toxic. The main health risk associated with modern shingles lies in the dust generated during removal. This dust can become airborne and potentially hazardous when inhaled, so proper protective measures should always be taken. Wearing appropriate gear, such as masks and gloves, can help minimize exposure to any harmful particles released during the installation or removal process.

What Materials Are Used to Make Roof Shingles?

Although there are several materials that can be used to make roof shingles, asphalt is still the most common type utilized today. Shingles for roofs come in various varieties:

• Organic Asphalt Shingles
• Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles
• Metal Shingles
• Plastic or Rubber Composite Shingles
• Fiber Cement Shingles

The most widely used roofing material in the US is asphalt shingles. They have fiberglass or polyester underlayment, and the asphalt can be altered with a polymer or polymeric coating. Asphalt shingles made of fiberglass are probably found on older properties, especially ones whose roofs haven’t been updated in a long time.

Which Roof Shingles Are the Most Toxic?

Asphalt shingles pose minimal risk once installed but can be harmful during installation or removal. Roofing workers may encounter construction dust and heated asphalt, especially in commercial settings. The primary health concern arises from dust stirred up during removal, which can be inhaled. However, the shingles themselves aren’t inherently toxic.

While some types of shingles have been known to have distinct problems, other forms may present comparable risks during construction:

Cedar shake shingles: has inherent insulating qualities and can be recycled for mulch upon reaching the end of their lifespan. The drawback is that they require the use of fire retardants, which can be so toxic as to somewhat undermine their non-pollutant classification.

In the past, several varieties of shingles had asbestos-containing components. Given the potential harm these fibers can do to the lungs in the event that shingles are broken, these would present the greatest health risk. (More about asbestos shingles in the future.)

Is Handling Roof Shingles Dangerous?

When removing old roof shingles, be cautious of potential hazards, especially asbestos. Shingles from the 1970s may contain this dangerous material. Before starting any replacement, it’s crucial to ensure no asbestos is present. Always prioritize safety and consult a professional if the shingles date back to that era.

Asbestos Cement Shingles

From the 1930s until the 1970s, when they were outlawed, asbestos-cement shingles were in use. Because of its strength and fire resistance, it was formerly a highly valued building material.

When the components in asbestos start to degrade and become airborne, the mineral is considered a carcinogen and becomes dangerous for human health. Former asbestos workers frequently get scarring of the lungs as a result of the fibers accumulating mostly in and around the lungs.

Luckily, the shingles don’t become dangerous until they start to decompose and release the potentially harmful fibers. However, local laws could mandate that you work with a contractor who is certified to remove asbestos-containing items because of the material’s potential hazards when handled.

How Do I Safely Install Roof Shingles?

By no means is the process of installing roof shingles extremely dangerous. However, there are things that may be done to make sure the procedure doesn’t endanger the locals.

It isn’t until hot asphalt is utilized during installation that asphalt shingles truly turn poisonous. The most dangerous material used in roofing operations is hot asphalt, which is primarily utilized while installing roofs for commercial buildings.

When working with hot asphalt during the roofing process, follow these safety precautions:

• Donning clothing is composed of natural fibers as opposed to melt-prone synthetic fibers.
• putting on safety glasses, work gloves with tight-knit cuffs, and boots with thick composite or rubber bottoms.
• Covering air intakes and ventilators will prevent potentially hazardous asphalt fumes from entering the interior of the structure.

In terms of residential installations, hot asphalt smells should not be an issue. The construction of modern residential roofs typically avoids the use of hazardous materials. Usually, the only people who will be in danger are the shingle installers and not the occupants of the house.

While “cool roofs” do make homes more energy-efficient, one of the biggest risks is related to the installation of the white single-ply membrane that is used in their construction. This is because highly flammable solvents and adhesives are used to secure the roofing materials.

If employees follow the aforementioned recommendations and wear safety gear and clothing, a catastrophe can be avoided. These materials do not present a serious health risk to residents once the installation procedure is completed, unlike how they do for the shingle workers.

How to Dispose of Roof Shingles Safely

For a safe disposal, you might be able to send asphalt shingles to a recycling facility. In the end, these removed shingles are useful because they are used to make hot mix asphalt, which is applied on driving surfaces. This method of disposing of asphalt shingles guarantees the preservation of landfill space. It also contributes to the decrease in the quantity of fresh materials required to finish road construction projects.

Through this website, which was created in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you may locate the shingle recycling location nearest you. Before deciding on a particular project plan, it is highly recommended that you get in touch with the recycling facilities in your area. Recycling facilities have different policies; some accept donations of asphalt shingles at no cost, while others have a fee.

Landfill and Waste Disposal

You will be forced to have the shingles transported to a landfill if they cannot be recycled. Homeowners typically get in touch with a waste management business to rent a roll-off dumpster after they remove shingles. Make sure the size is sufficient to prevent roofing materials from overflowing into your yard.

You are urged to opt for a dumpster that has a cover over it when it’s not in use if you want to minimize dust and runoff. This might lessen dust during tasks involving roofing renovations.

Throughout the roof shingle removal process, construction dust poses the greatest risk. Those who have trouble breathing should definitely think carefully about the kind of dumpster they choose to have the old shingles removed from.

Which Roofing Shingles Are Least Toxic to the Environment?

Beyond their effects on human health, shingle materials are also a source of concern due to their toxicity. Additionally, homeowners want to be sure that the roofing materials they select won’t have an excessively detrimental effect on the environment.

• Asphalt shingles made of fiberglass and organic components might not be regarded as products with excellent sustainability ratings. There is relatively little recycled material in these shingles; instead, they are mostly made of petroleum-based goods.

• Fiber-cement shingles: During production, they have an adverse effect on the environment and pollute the air and water. But compared to other kinds of shingles, they are far more resilient, lasting up to 25 years before needing to be replaced. 
• The University of Tennessee claims that the least environmentally friendly roofing materials are composite shingles composed of asphalt derived from petroleum. Thankfully, after being removed from residential roofs, these tiles are now often recycled for use in road construction and other similar projects. 
• When compared to asphalt shingles, metal roofing is considered to weigh less and endure longer. As previously indicated, in systems that collect rainwater with the intention of using the collected water supply as a source of potable water, this kind of roofing material is also preferable. 
• When compared to conventional roofing materials like asphalt shingles, wood shingles derived from responsibly managed timber may also be a safer and greener choice for roofing.
  

Roof Water Run-Off and Toxic Materials

As previously stated, asphalt shingles do not pose a significant risk in and of themselves. The majority of applications for residential housing do not employ hot asphalt, which can cause temporary illnesses when commercial roofs are being built.

However, people who collect rainwater do start to worry about asphalt shingles made of fiberglass. Using this source to water plants is not problematic, but it gets dangerous if you start drinking it.

The University of Texas has conducted research indicating that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels in rainwater collected from asphalt fiberglass shingles and “green” roofs can be elevated. When chlorine, a substance often used to disinfect water, is combined with high DOC concentration water, it becomes toxic to human health.

Toxic Metals in Run-Off

In the past, the presence of potentially hazardous metals in storm runoff from roofing materials has been one of the main grounds for concern. In this aspect, it has been discovered that more recent shingles are less dangerous than their predecessors.

Metals of concern include:

• Cadmium
• Arsenic
• Copper
• Lead
• Zinc
  

New roofing materials typically emit modest quantities of metals, according to research done at the Washington Department of Ecology, with the following exceptions:

• Copper and arsenic from treated wood panels
• Copper from copper panel shingles
• Zinc from EPDM (rubber) roofing

Which Roofing Materials Are Best for Rainwater Collection?

Which kinds of roofing materials would be appropriate for collecting drinkable water was disclosed by the University of Texas study on rainwater collection. (It is understandable that most homeowners won’t replace their roofs only to collect rainwater, but for those who are considering a new roof, it is an issue worth discussing.)

The study found that the following roofing materials release the fewest contaminants into rainwater:

• Metal roofing made of galvanized steel (Galvalume in this study)
• Concrete tile
• Shingles with a light hue specifically intended to reflect solar radiation are known as cool roof shingles.

You can still think about using run-off as a source of potable water if dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the main contaminant, as long as you don’t use chlorine to disinfect the water. This is relevant to runoff from green roofs with vegetation and asphalt fiberglass shingles.

Ways to Disinfect Harvested Rainwater

You are strongly advised to employ a method that doesn’t use chlorine if you are planning to disinfect rainwater runoff from asphalt fiberglass shingles. When this chemical reacts with the dissolved carbon in the roofing material, a toxic byproduct is produced.

As a backup plan, treating the collected rainwater with either ozone or UV radiation should be sufficient to ensure its safety for use as drinking water. This step won’t be required if the rainwater is solely being utilized to water your garden.

• Ozone therapy works well, but because it contains harmful gas, it may not be the ideal option for household use. When disinfecting, ultraviolet light should be your first choice if you are worried about the potentially harmful mix of chlorine and dissolved carbon.

• Although UV light is not as effective as chlorine in penetrating the water source, it is nevertheless effective against common forms of bacteria.

Installing a UV light treatment system at the conclusion of your rainwater collection system can be done with the following advice:

• Put in a water filter cartridge before the UV lamp. Only when the water is reasonably clear may UV light treatment be successful. Even an RV water filter can assist in removing sufficient silt, but if you intend to consume the water, you might need to invest in a more sophisticated device.

• Seek a UV treatment system that satisfies the testing standards of ANSI/NSF Standard 55. Which should include having a system installed that notifies you when cleaning or lamp replacement is necessary. Note: These features are part of the BluOnics Filter System.

Are Other Roof Components Toxic?

Of course, there’s also the matter of whether other elements of roofing—like sealants and chemical treatments—are likewise poisonous.

Are Roofing Sealants Toxic?

There may be health risks associated with the sealants that were used to fasten the shingles to the roof. Workers need to take extra care to prevent casual use of these generally safe goods from turning dangerous. These chemicals are not a problem once the installation process is over.

Are Chemical Roof Treatments Toxic?

If not utilized correctly, the chemicals used to control moss on shingles may be hazardous. The standard solution for moss growth on roof shingles is to apply zinc strips. These substances work well to eradicate or inhibit the growth of fungi and mosses on roofing tiles.

Zinc strips’ main risk stems from the impact of runoff from rains. It’s possible for the zinc to get into the runoff and harm the trees and plants you’re attempting to grow in your yard. It is highly recommended that you use zinc strips sensibly and remove moss by hand whenever possible as opposed to using pesticides.

Additionally, it has been proposed that soap-based products are safer than other chemical solutions while maintaining their ability to deter moss and algae growth. Safer Brand Moss and Algae Killer is one such item. This multipurpose solution can be used to prevent the formation of algae and moss on decks, fences, roofs, and lawns.

Conclusion

As they are now attached to your house, roof shingles are not very dangerous. Gathering rainwater to use inside the home as a source of drinkable water is the main reason to be concerned. Because of the dissolved organic carbon concentration in runoff water from asphalt shingles. You would be highly urged to utilize a water treatment method other than chlorine to disinfect the water in this situation.

When installing and removing roof shingles, one should exercise caution as construction dust can become a major hazard. If you are renovating an older house with a roof that hasn’t been treated in many years, you might also think about having your roof shingles tested for asbestos.

FAQs: Are Roof Shingles Toxic?

1. Do roof shingles contain harmful chemicals or materials?

Some roof shingles, especially older ones, may contain harmful substances like asbestos. Always check the materials in your shingles before handling them.

2. Can old roof shingles release toxic substances into the air?

Yes, old shingles can release toxic particles, especially if they contain asbestos. You should take proper precautions when removing them.

3. Are asphalt shingles safe for the environment?

Modern asphalt shingles are generally safe, but they can still contain chemicals that harm the environment. Recycling them helps reduce their impact.

4. Do modern roof shingles still contain asbestos?

No, modern shingles no longer contain asbestos, but shingles installed before the 1980s may still have it.

5. What precautions should I take when removing old shingles?

Always check for asbestos in older shingles. Wear protective gear and hire professionals to safely remove and dispose of potentially toxic materials.