The construction industry benefits communities, towns, and cities, by creating new opportunities for housing and community growth. Although beneficial, the construction industry also faces challenges with pollution and contamination. Contamination from construction comes in the form of water pollution, noise pollution, air pollution, and pollution from particulate emissions. Preventing site contamination at building sites is an important responsibility and task for construction workers and developers.
Construction site land is considered contaminated when it presents a hazard or danger formed by potentially harmful material. Landfills are commonly prone to contamination and hazardous materials.
Identifying and Assessing Risk of Contamination at a Building Site
In order to successfully prevent contamination on work sites, construction professionals must first identify the sources of contamination, and then, assess the level of risk of the contamination.
Assessment of contamination risk at a building site is based on the consistency and seriousness of negative occurrences and consequences on the work site. Adverse consequences at the work site are usually, but not limited to:
- Contamination of groundwater
- Backflow and contamination of drinking water
- Threats to livelihood and human life
- Threat to adjacent land due to contaminant migration
- Settlement: The sinking of ground caused by overload of weight or the consolidation causing the displacement soil.
- Foundation and structure damage
- Environmental and nature damage to flora and fauna
Sources of Contamination
Contamination can come from various sources during the construction process. These sources vary depending on the size and scale of the construction project. Some common sources of contamination at a building site are as follows:
- Chemicals used on or near the worksite.
- Asbestos works
- Burning of waste and bonfires on worksites
- Oil storage and distribution on sites
- Paint, dye, and contamination from man-made materials on site
- Landfills and waste disposal sites
- Metal works, treatments, and finishing
- Power and excessive electricity use
- Gasworks resulting in cyanide and phenol pollution
- Railway lands
- Sewage areas and overage of zinc and copper
- Excessive air pollution from dust and materials on site
- Cadmium in garden soils
- Munitions testing
Types of Pollution Caused by Site Contamination
The sources of contamination on construction worksites can cause various forms of pollution. Pollution caused by site contamination can be dangerous and threaten the lives of workers and community members. The following types of pollution can be found on worksites:
Water Pollution:
Pollution of water can be extremely harmful to human life. Water pollution on sites is typically caused by chemical heavy materials used during construction. Materials like oil and diesel, paint, solvents, cleaners are typically heavy with chemicals and fatal when in contact with the community water supply.
Dirt and debris from construction sites is also a cause for water pollution on the work site. Soil erosion from cleared land causes rock and sediment pollution that runs into natural water sources and streams.
Pollutants on worksites that run off into local water streams are poisonous and harmful to plant and animal life found in waterways. Pollutants on construction sites also have the potential to sink into the groundwater and affect the drinking water source of a community, making it extremely difficult to treat and fix the problem once occurred.
Air Pollution:
Operation of heavy machinery like diesel engines and demolition machinery is a high source of air pollution on work sites. Diesel engines and the burning of toxic materials is one of the main sources of overall air pollution. Construction sites create extreme levels of dust from use of concrete, stone, cement, and silica. Air pollution from dust can stay in the air and carry over large spans of land.
Dust from construction sites has been deemed extremely dangerous. The dangers of dust and particles that are invisible to the naked eye are especially harmful to the health of human beings. Construction site dust can deeply penetrate the lungs and cause respiratory diseases, and common illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, and cancer. If you live or work near a construction site, it is a good idea to use air conditoning to filter out the nasty airborne contaminants you cannot see. This does mean cleaning your air con filters and completing other air conditioning maintenance tasks is of greater importance to ensure the air your breathing is clean and free of toxins.
Carbon monoxide contamination from sites can cause high levels of air pollution. Pollution from diesel, carbon dioxide, and chemicals on site also highly contribute to air pollution during construction.
Noise Pollution
Use of vehicles, large machinery, and heavy equipment cause loud noises on construction sites. Noise pollution is most commonly a nuisance for neighboring residences of construction, as well as construction workers. Extreme noise pollution can lead to high blood pressure, sleeping loss and hearing problems. High noise levels can also become a problem for the wildlife and natural habitat surrounding the work site.
Methods of Site Contamination Prevention
Identifying methods of site contamination is very important for any construction project. Securing strong construction site practices and planning will help prevent contamination on construction sites and prevent pollution. After assessing the contamination risk on site, specific protocol can be followed to cut down risk and prevent pollution:
- Cover the entire site with screening or mesh material to stop the widespread of dust. All screening should be close to the immediate source of dust.
- Be sure to cover all trucks and large machinery used to hold and store construction materials.
- Be sure to continuously damp down materials with low levels of water.
- Continuously monitor the space for spills. Locate all spillage and be sure to stop them from washing into waterways and drinking water source.
- Choose to use non-toxic products and paints. Check all products for hazardous features before use
- Do not burn materials on the construction site
- Continuously monitor and control the accumulation of dust on sites
- Heavily monitor toxic materials. Be sure they are safely placed and handled to avoid spillage
- Minimise noise pollution by handling materials carefully. Invest in new tools that are quiet and low impact.
- Enforce wall structures and barriers as sound shields on site
- Use low sulphur oils and diesel in construction vehicles and engines.
- Be sure to keep all drains and openings in the ground covered on the site.
- Manage wastewater on site by collecting it in large tanks and blocking with water screens. Dispose of contaminated water according to the environmental regulations of your work site.
By identifying and assessing the risks of pollution and contamination on a work site, and understanding the source of contamination, your work site will be ready to prevent contamination during construction projects.