Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
So is the presence of non-halogenated volatile organic compounds (acetone, ether)
and phenols (used in the pharmaceutical industry and in the production of paper,
plastics and colorant). Several volatile organic compounds are significantly toxic
and some have been used in the past without enough precaution in terms of
transport, storage and elimination.
Figure 12.1.
The 15 most frequent organic contaminants found close to
waste disposal sites in Germany and the US [SCH 88]
Figure 12.2 presents the various contaminants found in 895 contaminated sites in
France in 1996. Hydrocarbon contamination is obviously the most frequent (found
in 40% of sites) whereas polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons correspond to 16%.
Heavy metals are also frequently encountered (lead and zinc at 16% and 10% of
sites, respectively, together with chrome, copper, arsenic, nickel, cadmium and
mercury). Also, note the importance of halogenated and non-halogenated solvents,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polychlorinated triphenyls (PCTs) together
with that of pesticides. PCBs and PCTs (including pyralene and askarel) were
produced and used between 1930 and 1980 because of their exceptional fire
resistance and chemical stability. They were used as dielectric in electrical
