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Manufacturing Technology Insights | Wednesday, January 04, 2023
Infrastructure has always been the backbone of economic development. In cities, the construction of buildings is a continuous process and also an essential step toward modernization. But it also brings numerous problems.
Fremont, CA: One of the main problems of construction is related to pollution. The construction sector contributes 50 percent of climate change, 23 percent of air pollution, 40 percent of water pollution, and 50 percent of landfill waste. In addition, according to research by USGBC, the construction industry uses 40 percent of worldwide energy.
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More than 400 million tons of materials are being consumed by the construction industry each year, and many of these could be a problem to our environment. Research reports that products used for construction have an impact on the surrounding environment.
Air Pollution
Working at and living near a construction site can be dangerous to our health. It can transmit various contaminants to the human body and can cause illness. Various contaminants are produced from the construction site and produce different types of pollution. One of the main polluters within a construction site is Air pollution. This comes in many forms. Here are some:
Construction Dust: During any construction activity, some of the commonly used materials by builders are concrete, cement, wood, stone, and silica. These are the materials that can release a huge amount of dust. This also causes windblown dust problems, also called fugitive dust, which remains in the air for days and weeks.
Diesel: The use of vehicles and plants on construction sites involves the use of diesel. Depending on the construction activity, the machinery can include dumpers, bulldozers, breakers, and excavators, which are the source of poisonous gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.
Noxious Vapours: Glues, oils, treated woods, paints, plastics, cleaners, and other dangerous chemicals are widely used in construction sites. These could release noxious vapors, which can cause air pollution.
Construction and Demolition: Waste comprises building materials, rubble, and debris from construction, remodeling, demolition and repair. Most of these wastes cannot be recycled, which is harmful to the environment.
Contaminants can spread by air, travel long distances, and are invisible to the naked eye. As a result, both flora and fauna suffer survival tasks. This also causes biodiversity and disruption of the food chain.
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