We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Review of Hazardous Compounds Present in Construction Waste Materials
Summary
This review catalogued hazardous chemical compounds found in construction waste materials including concrete, plastic, wood, ceramics, and asbestos, identifying heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel as major risks, and recommending improved waste management practices in the construction industry to protect human health and the environment.
Construction industry around the world is well-known as a massive contributor of waste materials and environmental impacts. Among the types of waste materials generated by this industry are concrete, plastic, wood, ceramic, and asbestos. These waste materials, in general, are chemically fused through various manufacturing processes before being transported for the construction usage. Addition of chemical compounds such as arsenic, copper, cyanide, nickel, chromium, lead, sulphate, and zinc are mainly for enhancing the mechanical and physical properties of the materials so that the materials could last longer, perform well and withstand external forces. However, construction materials that are made up of these chemical compounds are threatening the nature and human beings once the materials are used up and the leftover from the construction industry are thrown away without proper waste management practice. The aim of the study was to review hazardous compounds presented in construction waste materials and suggest ways to manage it effectively. The methodology is literature review, data collection from published articles, and data analysis. Findings from this study showed that concrete, plastic, wood, ceramic, and asbestos are among the waste materials that are made up of hazardous compounds, which impact the environment and mankind living today. As a mitigation measure, a proper waste management practice is necessary among the construction practitioners to protect humans and biological factors, save some landfill spaces, preserve some natural resources, prevent soil and underground water channel contamination, avoiding illegal dumping activities, and promotes sustainability factors. Obeying the enforced rules and regulations, utilisation of various waste management technologies, on-site waste segregation and proper storage, waste substitutions, and making use of well-structured framework developed by researchers and construction consultancy are among the methods that can be adopted in polishing the current waste management practice.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Toxic Tides of Electronic Waste: A Comprehensive Assessment of Health and Environmental Impacts
This comprehensive review assessed the health and environmental impacts of e-waste, finding that hazardous compounds in electronic waste—including heavy metals and flame retardants—pose serious risks to ecosystems and human health, particularly in regions with informal recycling practices.
“Microplastics and Polymers in Construction Materials: Sources, Fate, and Structural/Environmental Impacts”
This review synthesizes evidence that construction practices generate microplastic particles from polymer additives and recycled plastics during manufacturing, placement, and demolition, presents a sampling framework for detecting construction-derived microplastics, and compares identification methods for characterizing these particles.
A critical review of the current progress of plastic waste recycling technology in structural materials
Researchers reviewed technologies for recycling plastic waste into construction materials such as concrete and asphalt, finding this approach can meaningfully reduce the environmental burden of plastic pollution. Incorporating plastic waste into building materials offers a practical path toward both waste reduction and more sustainable construction.
A Survey on Use of Non-Recyclable Waste in Construction
This survey reviews strategies for incorporating non-recyclable plastic waste into construction materials, documenting the environmental threat posed by plastic waste in marine ecosystems and its effects on wildlife and human health. The authors conclude that using plastic waste as a component in cementitious composites offers the most promising avenue for improving environmental sustainability while providing a practical construction material.
The manufacturing process and consequent occupational health and environmental risks associated with the use of plastic waste in construction bricks in small-scale recycling plants
Researchers reviewed health and environmental risks in small-scale facilities that recycle plastic waste into building bricks, finding that the manufacturing process likely releases microplastics, heavy metals, and toxic air pollutants, posing serious health hazards to workers — especially where safety measures are absent.