The Post-War Period — Built Pragmatically
After the Second World War, Austria needed to build quickly and cheaply. Material shortages led to creative solutions — and to the use of new industrial building materials whose health risks were not yet known. At the same time, many older buildings were renovated using new materials.
This construction era marks the transition: the old problems (lead) are still present, and the new ones (asbestos, wood preservatives) are beginning. The pollutant profile is correspondingly varied.
Typical Pollutants in Post-War Buildings
Asbestos
The post-war period marks the beginning of mass asbestos use in Austria. Fibre-cement panels on roofs, pipe lagging and the first asbestos-containing plasters and fillers came onto the market.
Asbestos Testing →Lead
Lead pipes were still occasionally installed in the 1950s. Lead-based paints (white lead, lead minium) remained standard for windows, doors and radiators.
Lead Testing →PAH (Tar products)
Black parquet adhesive emerged in the 1950s and became a standard product. Roofing membranes and tar-based bitumen coatings frequently contain carcinogenic PAH.
PAH Analysis →Wood preservatives
The 1950s saw the beginning of widespread use of PCP- and lindane-containing wood preservatives. Roof structures from this period were frequently treated as a precautionary measure.
Wood Preservative Testing →When is a pollutant check necessary?
- Before purchase: Post-war buildings can present a broad range of pollutants — a pollutant check provides clarity before making a purchase decision
- Before renovation: When removing floor coverings, plaster or roof cladding, pollutants can be released
- When converting a loft: Check wood preservatives in the roof structure before the attic becomes living space
- With old water pipes: pXRF test for lead, especially if young children live in the household
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-War Buildings
Post-war buildings frequently contain early asbestos products (fibre cement, pipe lagging), lead pipes and lead paints, PAH in black adhesives and roofing membranes, and wood preservatives in retrospectively treated roof structures.
Yes, asbestos use began in Austria after the Second World War. Fibre-cement panels, pipe lagging and the first asbestos-containing plasters were installed from the 1950s onwards. An investigation before renovation is advisable.
Lead pipes were still partially installed in the 1950s, though increasingly replaced by copper and steel pipes. A pXRF test provides clarity within seconds.
The site-inspection flat fee is €290 (flat, regardless of scope), plus analysis costs per sample — e.g. asbestos from €69, lead in water €19. Situational analyses (PAH, wood preservatives) by quote. In a free initial consultation, we discuss which analyses make sense.
Clarity from €290
In post-war buildings from 1945–1960, we frequently encounter lead pipes, early asbestos use and PAH-containing adhesives. An assessment from €290 clarifies what is in your building — before your renovation becomes a hazard zone.
After renovation, we offer a clearance measurement to document safe sign-off. More about renovation monitoring →