Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in construction

POPs are a group of chemicals that have toxic properties, resist degradation in the environment, bioaccumulate through food chains, and are transported long distances through the atmosphere, water currents, and migratory species.

Exposure to these hazardous substances may cause developmental defects, chronic illnesses, and even death. Although the effects will vary depending on the POP to which the person has been exposed. Some POPs are carcinogens and many of them are capable of endocrine disruption within the reproductive system, the central nervous system, or the immune system.  Studies have investigated the correlation between low-level exposure of POPs and various diseases.

People and animals are exposed to POPs mostly through their diet or occupationally. On this matter, workers in the construction and demolition industry are particularly at risk due to the long-term exposure to the effects of POPs. Since POPs can be found in so many products and equipment, all workers should take steps to protect themselves.

Moreover, regarding circular economy, POPs in construction, especially in demolition, represent another big issue related to their potential future contamination.

Before removing products containing POPs it is indispensable to plan carefully and correctly the decontamination to avoid contaminating the materials surrounding them, which would make them unusable for reusing and recycling.

This is also essential to ensure that the wastes including POPs will be landfilled in special installations designed for that type of wastes to avoid the contaminations of soil, air, and water.

But to plan and execute correctly that decontamination, the first step is to identify the substances, even before the beginning of the works.

On this matter, below there is a table which includes all the POPs consider by the Stockholm Convention, which is a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and entered into force on May 17, 2004.

It currently regulates 29 POPs, requires parties to adopt a range of control measures to reduce and, where feasible, eliminate the release of POPs. For intentionally produced POPs, parties must prohibit or restrict their production and use, and for unintentionally produced POPs, it requires countries to develop national action plans to address releases and to apply “Best Available Techniques” to control them.

The Stockholm Convention also aims to ensure the sound management of stockpiles and wastes that contain POPs.

Links:

Access the full guide here:

Help us grow!

If you have any suggestions about these contents, find any error or would like to make us aware of anything, please fill out the form below.

To contact EDA, please fill in and submit the following form.

By submitting the form, you will automatically receive an e-mail with a copy of your request