Impacts of construction site on the Environment

Pollution from Construction Site and it's Prevention

The construction industry is a major source of pollution, responsible for around 4% of particulate emissions, more water pollution incidents than any other industry, and thousands of noise complaints every year. Although construction activities also pollute the soil, the main areas of concern are: air, water and noise pollution.

Air Pollution

• Construction Dust is known as PM10(particulate which is less than 10 micron in diameter. Dust can cause asthma, bronchitis etc.

• In the construction site there are many machine used which is run by Diesel. Diesel is responsible for the emission of CO₂ , CO, hydrocarbons etc. Therefore increasing the release of “Green House Gas”.

• PM10 from Diesel Engine known as Diesel Particulate Matter(DPM) along with soot, sulphates, silicates combine with other toxins in the atmosphere, increasing the particle inhalation.

Water Pollution

• Silt and Soil that comes from the construction site runs into natural waterways make them turbid, which restricts sunlight filtration and destroys aquatic life.

• Surface water run-off also carries other pollutants from the site, such as diesel and oil, toxic chemicals, and building materials like cement. When these substances get into waterways they poison water life and any animal that drinks from them.

• Pollutants on construction sites can also soak into the groundwater, a source of human drinking water.

Sound Pollution

• Construction site produces a lot of noises mainly from vehicles and machineries. Excessive noise can lead to hearing problem, sleep disturbance.

• High noise levels disturb the natural cycles of animals.

How to prevent Pollution

• To prevent erosion and run-off, minimize land disturbance and leave maximum vegetation cover.

• Control dust through fine water sprays used to dampen down the site.

• Use non-toxic paints, solvents and other hazardous materials wherever possible.

• Cover up and protect all drains on site.

• Collect any wastewater generated from site activities in settlement tanks, screen, discharge the clean water, and dispose of remaining sludge according to environmental regulations. 

Source: http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/pollutionfromconstruction.html ,   https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/construction/