The Drumbeat

by Alondra Perez Saeteros

Have you ever been curious about learning about abandoned buildings? Urban Exploration, commonly known as urbex, is a hobby for people who have an interest in exploring abandoned places. Some famous places that are commonly explored are abandoned hospitals, facilities, houses, theme parks, resorts, schools, and malls. Some examples are Ghost Town in the Sky, located in North Carolina (also featured in a Mr. Beast video), Northridge Mall in Wisconsin, and the town of Fukushima, Japan. Although it might seem fun on the surface, there are many dangers that come along with urbex. Some of them include exposure to dangerous toxins, the building collapsing, and squatters. 

If a building is left alone for a long time, it tends to develop hazardous toxins like black mold and asbestos. Black mold is created when a lot of moisture is concentrated in a place without proper ventilation. This is a reason why some places, like basements, have a dehumidifier to prevent mold. Black mold can commonly be found in buildings created with wood and drywall. Black mold can present a health risk for humans, especially if they have any allergies and asthma. Another hazardous material present in abandoned buildings is asbestos. Asbestos forms tiny, long-lasting fibers and is in most of the materials used for construction from 1960-1970. Nowadays, it’s still present but not a lot. A common use for it is in insulation due to its fire retardant. A small amount of asbestos can be fine and not present a major health risk but it can break down over time. If it’s let out in the air, it could cause health problems, like lung cancer. When a building is demolished, it’s tested for asbestos before continuing. It’s important to proceed into these buildings with cation.

Along with this, the old age of a building can cause problems while exploring. If the building isn’t well maintained, it could deteriorate. This is the case for abandoned buildings because they are just left there. No one to keep it up to standard regulation. This can cause problems if someone goes into a building and gets hurt. When a person isn’t aware of their surroundings, they might fall through a loose floorboard. Another thing could happen, still water. Due to the rise of urbex videos, the term still water was used to describe water that’s in areas like a pool and basement that has been still for a long time. This is also called stagnant water. Still water is dangerous because if water is left alone for more than 24 hours, bacteria start to form. It can also be a breeding ground for mosquitos. It’s better to be aware of your surroundings and avoid going to dangerous areas of a building if they have holes in the ceiling or floor.

Squatters are people who live in a building, usually abandoned, who live there without paying rent or owning the property. This in itself, is dangerous for the person who does this and the people who explore. People who are squatters are usually homeless people but they could also be rude and dangerous people. This is common in big cities like Chicago and Detroit. Squatting can make Urbex explorers worry that they might be caught and attacked. Squatting is also a big risk for the people who do it. They might be exposed to the harmful toxins. It’s important not to provoke anyone in an abandoned building and to run as soon as you see someone you don’t know.

Urbex is fun but it’s important to be prepared for anything that might happen. Wear a mask to prevent breathing in toxic substances, bring a friend or a group, and be alert to any people or collapsing floors. It is also important to have fun exploring an abandoned place.