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Nature Environment and Pollution Technology p-ISSN: 0972-6268 Vol. 17 No. 4 pp. 1287-1292 2018
An International Quarterly Scientific Journal e-ISSN: 2395-3454
Review Research Paper Open Access
Environmental Pollution in Construction Sites and Corresponding Green
Construction Measures
Yan Shuai-ping
Jiyuan Vocational and Technical College, Jiyuan 459000, Henan, China
Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech. ABSTRACT
Website: www.neptjournal.com Many construction projects have been completed in the urbanization process in China. Long construction
Received: 10-09-2018 period and large-scale and complicated processes are the most prominent characteristics of construction
Accepted: 12-11-2018 projects. Construction projects are sensitive to many factors and cause enormous environmental
pollution. Effective green construction measures can control potential environmental pollution. To
Key Words: analyze types of environmental pollution in construction sites, some environmental protection measures
Construction engineering based on the philosophy of green construction were proposed. In this study, existing studies on
Construction site environmental pollution in construction sites and green construction around the world have been
Environmental pollution reviewed. Types of environmental pollution caused by architectural construction and the principle and
Green construction control keys of green construction were summarized. Research results demonstrated that noise
pollution, light pollution, water pollution, solid waste pollution, and dust pollution were the major types
of environmental pollution in construction sites. The core of green construction is to control existing
and potential pollutants in construction sites throughout the project. Finally, some green construction
measures were proposed, including establishing an environmental management system, strengthening
environmental supervision, perfecting construction environmental management, and determining
environmental technological management rules. Research conclusions provide positive references to
understand types of environmental pollution in construction sites, establish green construction
environment, save energies and reduce consumptions during construction, and protect the construction
environment.
INTRODUCTION STATE OF THE ART
The recent gross output of construction increases yearly Many studies on environmental pollution caused by con-
due to the increasing quantity of construction projects in struction and environment-friendly sustainable construc-
China (Fig. 1), where increasingly prominent environmen- tion measures have been reported. With respect to environ-
tal pollution problems arise in construction sites. In par- mental pollution caused by constructions, Ghandour et al.
ticular, the construction wastes damage not only the sur- (1982) analyzed the current atmosphere pollution caused
rounding water, air, and soil, but also the normal life of by construction in the Helwan industry park and pointed
surrounding residents. The use of poor quality of construc- out that heavy metal dust produced by construction is the
tion materials and unqualified detection technology causes major reason of atmospheric pollution. Cole et al. (1992)
tremendous potential environmental pollution problems in evaluated various energy consumptions and air pollution
construction projects. Furthermore, paints with excessive of different construction materials. Theurer (1999) studied
heavy metals may cause serious heavy metal pollution in how different construction distributions in three cities in
the construction process, and building materials with heavy southwest Germany influence the concentration of air pol-
metals pollute surrounding animals and plants. The construc- lutants. Zhang et al. (2008) introduced an evaluation sys-
tion supervision department lacks strict control on pollution tem of dust pollution in a construction site. An empirical
behavior in construction engineering and neglects the full- study emphasized that this evaluation system provides rea-
process supervision of construction wastes. Some construc- sonable results, which are conducive for construction plan-
tion engineering enterprises fail to implement scientific re- ning. Jang et al. (2001) accomplished a sampling analysis
cycling and harmless treatment of construction wastes and of wastes in soils during the construction and dismounting
set acoustic lining for noise control, yet they blindly pursue process in Florida and assessed the environmental risk of
engineering schedules. Given the above mentioned causes, these recovery soils. Houthoofd (2010) believed that using
construction has caused serious impacts on the surrounding recycled materials in buildings can realize coordinated de-
natural ecology and residential environment. velopment between the construction industry and environ-
1288 Yan Shuai-ping
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Fig. 1: Gross output of China’s construction during 2007-2016. [Data source: China Statistical Yearbook (2008-2017)]
mental protection through life cycle assessments. Wu et al. tiveness of contractors was proposed. Raut et al. (2011) be-
(2015) investigated the dust control status caused by con- lieved that recycling of industrial or agricultural solid wastes
struction in China and proposed suggestions, such as for- is a feasible solution to pollutions and an economic choice of
mulating targeted regulations, constructing appropriate green construction design, and it provides a potential sus-
charging systems, and developing feasible monitoring sys- tainable solution. Govindan et al. (2016) constructed an evalu-
tems. Belayutham et al. (2016) emphasized that water pol- ation model of optimal sustainable construction materials
lution in construction site not only influences surrounding based on the sustainable indexes. This model was used to test
environment, but also affects economic and social welfare. a specific situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through
He enlisted in-site water pollution into the concept based the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. Ong
on prevention, which was conducive to the simultaneous K. C. G. (2017) suggested the use of green construction de-
implementation of construction and environmental protec- sign, construction methods, and materials and sustainably
tion. An explicit definition of green construction in China supplied materials and resources in construction projects in
is provided. Internationally, it is generally called sustain- Singapore. According to existing literature, environmental
able construction. Hill et al. (1997) proposed a multistage pollution caused by construction is minimal in developed
framework for environmental evaluation and environmen- countries, which is attributed to the perfected construction
tal management system of sustainable construction. site management system. In particular, many developed coun-
Rohracher (2001) believed that construction brings great tries have improved the engineering quality and environ-
ecological loads, but the philosophy of sustainable con- ment-friendly performance of construction projects through
struction is in favor of construction innovation. Abidin the philosophy of sustainable construction and modernized
(2010) accomplished a field investigation, survey, and in- construction mode. They advocated the large-scale applica-
terview in two cities in Malaysia, and research results dem- tion of new energy-saving and emission-reduction technolo-
onstrated that only large-sized real estate enterprises are gies in construction sites, controlled environmental pollut-
concerned about sustainable construction. He believed that ants in construction projects strictly, and paid close attention
actions are necessary to improve the sustainable construc- to real-time discharge data of pollutants in the construction
tion behavior in the industry and increase associated knowl- field, which conformed to the construction requirements of
edge in all levels of developers. Robichaud et al. (2010) environmental protection. Recently, environmental pollution
reported that influences of buildings on construction, main- caused by construction has occurred in developing coun-
tenance, and running should be determined based on en- tries, which has attracted the attention of relevant govern-
ergy demands and pollutant loads. He focused on the af- ment departments. For example, China supervises all envi-
fordable loads of the environment on the basis of warming, ronmental pollutants strictly through various control meas-
hot water, electricity, and annual energy consumption per ures in construction projects in advance and achieves cer-
unit kilometers. Tan et al. (2011) reviewed sustainable de- tain environmental protection effects in specific construc-
velopment of the construction industry, as well as the rela- tion projects. In this study, targeted environmental protec-
tionship between sustainable performance and competitive- tion measures for construction projects were proposed con-
ness of enterprises. In addition, a framework that can imple- sidering the types of environmental pollution and the phi-
ment the sustainable construction and improve competi- losophy of green construction.
Vol. 17, No. 4, 2018 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
POLLUTION IN CONSTRUCTION SITES AND GREEN CONSTRUCTION MEASURES 1289
n 9000
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Fig.2: Energy consumption of China’s construction industry during 2008-2016. [Data source: China Statistical Yearbook (2008-2017)]
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN Solid waste pollution: Solid wastes are inevitable in the
CONSTRUCTION SITES construction process. Construction wastes from the demoli-
Noise pollution: Large-scale application of construction tion of the original buildings or structures in construction
machinery is the fundamental cause of noise pollution sites, such as waste bricks, waste cement, outer packages of
during construction, such as improperly installed construc- construction materials, and household wastes of workers,
tion machines. Construction machines that can produce loud impact the surrounding environment and daily life of resi-
noises are placed away from regions sensitive to sound, such dents.
as residential areas, schools, and hospitals to relieve influ- Dust pollution: Dust pollution is an important source of
ences to the surrounding environment. Many loud-noise atmospheric pollution. It is characteristic of a large pollu-
equipment placed close to the potential affected objects tion source, uneven spatial distribution, random emissions,
produces noise pollution. Meanwhile, technicians do not and great control difficulties. Dust pollution arises in many
monitor noises. The absence of “people-oriented” produc- construction procedures, including dismantling of build-
tion mode is the leading cause of noise pollution. ings, flatting of construction field, earth-rock engineering,
Light pollution: In a construction site, light pollution is loading and unloading of bulk construction materials, and
mainly caused by the excessive use of illumination devices transporting of construction wastes. Dust pollution can cause
at night. In the construction process, some procedures are various respiratory diseases, transmit viruses, and threaten
often implemented. Illumination devices used at night are all physical health of residents in nearby communities.
high-strength illumination devices. Lights emitted from illu- PRINCIPLE OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION AND
mination devices run through glasses of residential houses CONTROL KEYS
close to the construction field, thereby disturbing residents. Principle of Environment-Friendly Construction
Water pollution: Water pollution is mainly caused by ran-
dom emission of sewages from construction, such as sewage The guideline for green construction issued by the Ministry
produced by concrete stirring, curing, and pouring pipes; of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s
sewage from some hydrostatic test; and domestic sewage of Republic of China in China provides an explicit definition
construction workers. In some construction sites, abundant to green construction. Green construction is an attempt to
solid wastes are discharged into the sewer line, without con- save energies and materials and reduce environmental in-
sidering the construction quality of sewer pipelines, seep- fluences in the construction process by management and
age failure in drain line, sewage seepage in pipelines, and technological measures in consideration of environmental
pollution of groundwater source. Moreover, rainfall runoff factors. Green construction focuses on the protection of the
causes serious urban inland inundation and groundwater original ecology to realize the effective protection of sur-
recession. Abundant pollutants dumped in construction sites vival environment and facilitate the sustainable develop-
are associated with surface runoff, which intensifies urban ment of economics and society. It requires necessary con-
water pollution. cern on the protection of ecological environment, full utili-
Nature Environment and Pollution Technology Vol. 17, No. 4, 2018
1290 Yan Shuai-ping
zation of resources, and comprehensive implementation of cient utilization of resources should be considered. In addi-
people-oriented philosophy in the construction process to tion, green construction shall remain to save resources, use
assure sustainable development of the construction industry. resources efficiently, and develop renewable resources in
People-oriented principle: The ultimate goal of human pro- construction activities to facilitate the continuous increase
duction activities is to create better survival conditions and of engineering construction in China.
development environment. Therefore, these activities must Key Controls in Green Construction
center on the goal of adapting to and protecting nature and
realize the sustainable development of human beings by Save construction materials and water resources: Con-
using the growth of material wealth as the driving force. struction materials and equipment in housing construction
Green construction targets resource saving and protecting projects account for about 60%. Thus, material resource sav-
the survival environment of human beings, renders human ing technology is an important aspect to study green con-
factors at the core position, and focuses on the negative struction technology. Research on material saving technol-
effects of construction activities on production and life, ogy focuses on the efficient utilization of material resources
including negative effects on construction workers, and full use of cast-in-place concrete technology, commer-
surrounding population, and society. Moreover, respecting cial concrete technology, preparation and transmission tech-
and protecting people, reflecting on the people-oriented nology of reinforcement, support framework technology,
principle, and realizing the harmonious development and technology to reduce construct wastes and improve
between construction activities and nature are suggested. waste recycle. China is one of the countries with the poorest
Principle of lean construction: Lean construction can average water resources. Water-saving construction and full
decrease mistakes and rework in the construction process, utilization of water resources are technological difficulties
reducing resource wastes. Hence, green construction should that have to be solved. Water-saving technology needs to
be centered on the principle of lean construction. On the be considered in green construction technology. Technolo-
basis of refined planning, refined management, strict stand- gies related to the efficient utilization of water resources,
ardization, construction optimization, improvement in con- high-performance concrete and concrete water-free curing,
struction technologies, and strengthened dynamic moni- and utilization of pit rainfall should be considered.
toring of constructions, the construction mode shifts from Save energy sources and lands: Energy-saving and utili-
traditional high consumption-extensive and labor-intensive zation technology is one aspect that green construction tech-
mode to the resource, intelligence, technology, and man- nology should focus on. To reduce energy consumption,
agement-intensive mode, thereby practicing the principle increase energy utilization, and develop renewable resources
of lean construction gradually. in the construction process, technologies should be stud-
Principle of environmental protection superiority: The ied. In Fig. 2, energy consumption in China’s construction
natural ecological environmental quality directly deter- industry remains high and increases yearly. Heat source,
mines the physical health of humans. It influences human pipe network, and passive energy saving of buildings must
survival and development. Protecting the ecological be considered systematically to facilitate energy saving of
environment protects the survival and development of hu- construction projects. Other steps include selecting and us-
man beings. Construction activities can considerably affect ing renewable resources first, increasing heat-insulation
the surrounding environment. Green construction should performance and energy utilization of temporary buildings
follow the principle of “environmental protection and lim- in a construction site, selecting construction machines with
ited resources” to control pollutants (smoke, dust, and solid high environment-friendly performance, and increasing load
wastes) and pollutants that stimulate organs (vibration, noise, factor of machines to save energies and resources at a maxi-
and strong light) in the acceptable range. This principle is a mum extent. Land resource protection technology should
direct manifestation of “green” connotation in green con- focus on the protection technology of temporary lands, rea-
struction. sonable layout, and scientific utilization of construction
Principle of high-efficiency resource utilization: lands. In addition, the utilization of temporary lands in con-
Sustainability of resources is the major guarantee of the struction sites shall be improved at a maximum extent.
sustainable development of human beings. In the future, as Increase human resource investment and improve tech-
a typical resource consumption industry, construction shall nologies: Experts suggest improving the operation condi-
maintain long-term large demands, which will consume tion of construction projects; reducing labor intensity; uti-
abundant resources. The basic goal of green construction is lizing human resources efficiently; reconstructing construc-
to change the traditional extensive production mode. Effi- tion sites, working, and living conditions; reducing labor
Vol. 17, No. 4, 2018 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
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