If you’ve ever walked anywhere in New York City, chances are you’ve passed many construction sites on the way. In a city dominated by towering skyscrapers, construction seems to be never-ending.

Construction sites aren’t only busy and loud, they’re also rife with potential danger. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that approximately one out of every five workplace deaths occurs at a construction site.

One of the most common causes of injury and death to construction workers is the exposure to construction site toxins. Each year, thousands of workers risk their health and wellbeing by coming into contact with chemicals and other dangerous substances. If you or a loved one has suffered injury from hazardous substances at a construction site, you may be entitled to damages.

Toxins at Construction Sites

Toxic exposure is the unseen hazard of construction sites. Every day, construction workers in New York City are exposed to chemicals, compounds, and other substances that can pose serious threats to their health.

Toxins are a major cause of permanent and temporary bodily injury, through either direct contact or the inhalation of fumes and dust in the air. Contact with chemicals can cause irritation, burns, or allergic reactions; inhalation may lead to neurological damage, respiratory distress, or even fatal conditions such as cancer or lung disease.

There is seemingly no end to the number of toxins present at the average construction site. Some of the most common injury-inducing substances include:

• Asbestos
• Lead
• Asphalt
• Formaldehyde
• Fuels and solvents
• Carbon monoxide
• Mold
• Pesticides
• Mercury and other harmful metals

This list is far from exhaustive. With new advances in chemistry occurring every day, the range of possible substances to which construction workers may be exposed is always increasing. Only time will tell how these new chemicals will affect workers who are exposed to them for prolonged periods of time or on a regular basis.