The Filthy Five Petroleum: Petroleum contaminants are usually found at the sites of old railroad properties, gas stations, tank farms, and homes that heat with oil. Petroleum products can release vapors long after a spill has occurred; if those vapors are released into a confined space, explosions can occur. Some toxic substances in petroleum products, particularly benzene, are known carcinogens. Heavy Metals: These include lead, mercury, and arsenic. Causes of heavy metal contamination are lead paint, leaded gasoline, and ash. Years ago, coal-burning power plants generated ash that contained heavy metals, which was then sold as fill for driveways or to fill in ponds, wetlands, and ditches. Heavy metals are neurotoxins. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Source points for these contaminants include dry cleaners and manufacturing facilities that clean machine parts. Any company that strips paint or needs to prevent oil from clogging machine sprockets will use these solvents. VOCs are known to cause liver and kidney damage and some VOCs are carcinogenic. Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Carcinogenic contaminants found in ash, tar, and creosote. Railroad operations are typical source points. Polychlorinated Biphenyls: PCBs allow oil to take on heat without degrading and are thus used in electrical transformers. PCBs are carcinogenic. |
November 2006 | by Fran Howard
The former Globe Building Materials site on St. Paul’s East Side, now undergoing remediation, is a prime example of a brownfield—full of toxic chemicals, contaminated soils, and mysterious gunk, all needing to be removed before the site can be reused.
