Air and Sound Pollution in Civil Engineering

This paper focuses on the air pollution and the noise pollution caused at the construction sites. The land clearing, demolition, operation of the diesel engines, toxic fumes and dust particles can increase the health risks due to the inhalation of the particles. Construction sites also produces a lot of noises, from the vehicles, equipment or he diesel engines. These noises are not only disturbing but prolonged exposure can lead to even hearing impairment.

Running head: AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

1AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Abstract
Civil engineering and construction can be a major source of pollution. This paper focuses on the
air pollution and the noise pollution caused at the construction sites. The land clearing,
demolition, operation of the diesel engines, toxic fumes and dust particles can increase the health
risks due to the inhalation of the particles. Construction sites also produces a lot of noises, from
the vehicles, equipment or he diesel engines. These noises are not only disturbing but prolonged
exposure can lead to even hearing impairment. This paper would vividly describe about the
health risks due to the air and noise pollution. The paper would also provide an insight to the
strategies that should be considered to minimise the effect of the sound and the air pollution.
Furthermore the paper have also suggested in strengthening the pollution control law to
emphasise on all the construction companies to neutralise the emissions and the wastes. The
measure to reduce the pollution should also be cost effective for incorporating these in to the
management strategy.

2AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Table of Contents
Air and noise pollution effects on human health and the environment...........................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................3
Atmospheric pollution and the particulate matter.......................................................................6
The health hazards caused by the pollutants due to civil engineering.........................................6
Health hazards due to noise pollution..........................................................................................8
Control measures.........................................................................................................................8
To strengthen the management and the supervision..........................................................8
Findings.....................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................14

3AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Air and noise pollution effects on human health and the environment
Introduction
In comparison to other countries in the world, Australia has relatively less significant
pollution problem. However, keeping the overall area of the country into consideration, the rising
rate of pollution in Australia cannot be neglected (Mackay et al. 2013). According to Fajersztajn
et al. (2013), the emission of the harmful air borne particles increases the density of the
atmospheric area leading to the increase in the reported cases of lung cancer and other
cardiovascular. Apart from air there is noise pollution which is somewhat less hazardous in
comparison to air, water and soil pollution but have significant amount of negative impact of the
mankind (Fiedler & Zannin 2015). The main source of air and noise pollution in Australia is the
construction industry. The emission of the fine particles from the raw materials of civil
engineering field or building construction site is the main source of air pollution, coming just
after the automobile emission. Construction industry also attributes to noise arising from the
large scale machines which make the every like of human begin miserable (Kibert 2016).
The following report aims to provide a brief literature review about the source and
hazards associated with the construction industry in the domain of air pollution and noise
pollution, on stating the literature review, the report will highlight the main findings and the
possible recommendation in order to cope up with this problem.
Literature review
Globally air pollution is the reason for over four million premature deaths annually. Particulates

4AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
causing air pollution are the complex mix of the chemicals emitted due to artificial human
processes or natural processes that causes climatic change and change to the environment
(Araújo e al. 2014). Civil engineering includes construction of the country’s infrastructure
including, roads, stations, airports, dams, irrigation projects, bridges and more. It has been
observed that construction activities poses great effect on the environment, due to which
environment assessment is carried out in almost every construction activities done in today’s
world (Debeleac 2013). Construction noise can be generated by the equipment used at the
construction sites for the fabrication, modification, erection, demolition or removal of any
structure including scraping and clearing up (Jain et al.2013) . Like the industrial equipment the
construction equipment produces more noises of low frequency spectrum. The pile drives and the
ballast cleaning machines can generate peak intensity noises of over 105 and 120 DB (Seixas et
al. 2012). According to Hammad et al. (2016), there are five categories of construction
equipment- the earthmoving equipment, the material handling equipment, the impact equipment,
the stationary equipment, the material handling equipment and more. All these generated noises.
The engine related noises are comparatively less intense than that of the impact equipment
(Hammad et al. 2016). Other noises in the construction site includes the utilization of the jack
hammers, cement mixers, the dump trucks, electric saws, welding machines and the tamping
machines and hand drills. (Hendrickson and Horvath) have identified five largest toxic air
emissions from the construction site including the nitric dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and volatile
organic compounds, toxic release to the air and the hazardous waste generated (Zolfagharian et
al. 2012). They have estimated that the environmental emissions mainly occur for the four largest
construction sectors in Australia namely the bridges, highway and other horizontal constructions,

5AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
office buildings, other industrial facilities and residential unit and other construction such as
tower, irrigation and the railroads (Darshana 2017).
Exhaust gases from the building decoration materials, pollutants like formaldehyde, paints,
paintings, asphalt, adhesives and a variety of volatile organic matters like straight chain
hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, aldehydes and
alcohols are harmful for the respiratory system, circulatory system and reproductive system
(Zolfagharian et al. 2012).. Construction site dust pollution mainly refers to the construction site
levelling operations, concrete mixer, carpentry, sawdust, lime, stone and blackfill yarn (Huang et
al. 2014). Some of the volatile particulates can be permanently retained in the lungs until death.
The construction dust is mainly classified as PM10 - particulate matter less than 10 microns in
diameter that is invisible to the naked eyes (Cheng et al. 2013). The PM10 penetrates deeply into
the lungs and causes a wide range of health problems such as respiratory illness, bronchitis,
asthma and even cancer (Thurston et al. 2015). The PM10 present in the construction sites comes
from the exhausts of the diesel engine and heavy vehicles. This is called the diesel particulate
matter (DPM) and consists of suphate, soot, silicates. According to Cheng et al. (2013) disease is
also responsible for the emission of the carbon dioxide. Noxious vapor out of paints, treated
woods, plastic, cleaner and other hazardous chemicals are used widely in the construction sites.
According to Cheng et al. (2013), the air pollution due to the construction industry have
increased in Australia with the fast urban development. The standards for the major
environmental indicators such as the Sulfur dioxide emissions and the total air -suspended
particulates (TSP)are much more than the international standards (Cheng et al. 2013).
It has been found that 72 % of the major cities of Australia including the municipalities
and the and the provincial capitals have TSP more than 200mg/ m3 , whereas, as the per the

6AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
international standard defined by the World Health Organization is 90 mg/m3 (Thurston et al.
2015). The noise pollution on the construction site increases sleeping disorders, high blood
pressure, eyes irritation, stress and even heart problems due to increase site activities and the
heavy old vehicles used in the sites.
Atmospheric pollution and the particulate matter
The particulate matter generated due to the engineering works has been found to be
composed of inert carbonaceous cores with various layers of many absorbed molecules,
including the metals, organic pollutants, biological elements and acid salts (Cheng et al. 2013).
Most of the industry associated particulate matters are smaller than 2.5 micron. This size
can easily penetrate the terminal bronchioles and the alveoli and larger particles will primarily
deposit in the primary bronchi and larger sized particles (as large as 10 micron) deposits in the
nasopharynx (Cheng et al. 2013). A number of particles also fall in the ultrafine size range and
generally dominates in the larger surface area of the environmental pollution. They are generally
unstable and can grow in to larger particles by coagulation. These particle does not only
penetrate the lungs and also can cross the air blood barrier (Losonczy 2012). Notably the
existence of the particulate matters can be of several days in absence of any precipitation.
Furthermore these particles have negotiable sedimentation rate and are not usually removed from
the atmosphere by dry deposition.
The health hazards caused by the pollutants due to civil engineering
Nitrogen Oxides- The short term exposure to the metallic and non-metallic oxides at
concentrations more than 3ppm (parts per million) can decrease the lung function.
Concentrations less than 3ppm can irritate the lungs and is enough to trigger asthmatic attacks

7AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
(Zolfagharian et al. 2012). Long term lower exposure to the oxides can impair the lung function
causing emphysema. Other effects that can be caused due to nitrogen oxide emission at certain
conditions include the bleaching or the destruction of the plant tissues, premature falling of
leaves, reducing threat of growth of the lungs (Anderson et al. 2012). It has also been found to
deteriorate the fibres, corrode the metals and reduction of the visibility.
Furthermore the nitrogen oxides in presence of the sunlight can also react with the
hydrocarbons and form smog or photochemical oxidants. Acidic precipitation is another factor
that is caused due to the oxides of the nitrogen that affects both the terrestrial as well as the
aquatic ecosystem.
Sulphur dioxide- The Sulphur dioxide reacts with the water vapour causing aerosols of corrosive
sulphurous acid, which can react with air formic even more corrosive acid, Sulphuric acid.
Sulphur dioxide only does not have a disturbing smell but also considerable affect the health
(Anderson et al. 2012). It has been found to irritate the respiratory system and prolonged
exposure to low concentrations can constrict the respiratory system, increase the mucus flow and
cause inflammation in the bronchi causing acute respiratory distress. The elderly people and the
asthmatics are more susceptible to this kind of effects. Concentrations greater than 6 parts by
millions can be trigger irritation in the lungs and the throat. According to Brauer et al. (2012)
concentration higher than 6 ppm also disrupts the normal defence system of the respiratory
system against the pathogens. It has also been found to apparently increase the harmful effects of
the breathing. Sulphur dioxide pose more toxic effects in presence of the acidic pollutants and
liquid or the solid aerosols (Huang et al. 2014). Effects are found to be more pronounced in the
mouth breathers; that is the people who are exercising or having head colds. Episodes of
bronchitis have been found to be present in these people. Increased infections in the respiratory

8AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
tract has been linked with low level of prolonged exposure to the acid aerosols and SO2
(Thurston et al. 2015)..
Sulphur dioxide has been found to be affecting the plant species like pines and the legumes,
white ash, red and the black oaks, alfalfa and the blackberry. Visible injury has been found in the
sensitive plants when exposed to concentration as low as 0.12 ppm for 8 hours, and those having
intermediate sensitivity has been found to be affected by the exposure to about 0.30ppm for 8
hours (Thurston et al. 2015). Ozone may act as a powerful irritant and can cause shortness of
breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing, repeated exposure to high levels of ozone causing the
reduction in the lung functions, inflammation of the epithelial lining of the lungs and increased
discomfort of the respiratory system (Anderson et al. 2012).
Health hazards due to noise pollution
According to Seixas et al. (2012) exposing ears to prolonged noises more than 85 DB can
lead to permanent hearing loss. The cochlea is the main sense organ that has got very delicate
hairs for detecting the sound frequencies can get damaged due to prolonged exposure to the
noises. If the exposure to high intensity noises cannot be controlled then the patient may suffer
from hearing loss, buzzing sensation or the tinnitus, lack of sleep, headache and depression.
Otitis media can occur in people of all age groups with prolonged exposure to the industrial
sounds.
Control measures
To strengthen the management and the supervision
Hussin et al. (2013) have proposed that management of the air pollutants at the
construction site consists of activities such as ensuring the implementation of the work to a high

9AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
level of competitiveness and quality. New technologies can be used to stop excessive wastage
and pollution caused due to the usage of the raw materials. Planning of the controlling activities,
putting in the appropriate scientific theories in to practice, proper resource management, quality
control, automation and the mechanization of the processes can be helpful in neutralizing the air
pollutants created by the industrial emissions (Debeleac, C., 2013).
Assuring correct procedures for minimizing the smokes from the exhausts, use of
technologies for the recycling of the raw materials. Harris& McCaffer (2013) have emphasized
on the preconstruction management in the engineering site for preventing environmental hazards
such as the inspection of the building conditions, the implementation of the policy of buying the
equipment with low emission, limiting the area that required excavation, minimizing the amount
of waste material stored in the site that can generate dust, regulating the speed limits of the
vehicles in the construction site to minimize dust emission (Wu et al. 2016). Loading of the truck
carrying the materials such that the wastes does not exceed above the walls. Harris & McCaffer
(2013) have stated that use of the fossil fuels by the heavy equipment also contribute to air
pollution. Introduction of the low pollutant engines called the next generation engines can be
used for the fuel efficiency and reduction of the CO2 emissions (De Nevers et al. 2010).
There are other several methods for reducing the dust on the construction site such as
spraying of the water or use of the water tanker with spray heads (Wu et al. 2016). Air pollutant
control devices can be used to prevent different types of the pollutants both the gaseous and the
solid from entering the atmosphere out of the smoke stacks. Electrostatic precipitators, cyclone
separators, fabric filters can be used for removing the particulates from the gases (Miller et al.
2010). Proper incineration can be done for converting the VOC emissions in to carbon dioxide
and water by combustion. Carbon capture storage can be done to capture the emitted carbon

10AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
dioxide and then storing it below the ground by pumping it to the geologic layers (Miller et al.
2010). Biofiltration can be used to reduce the air pollution (Devinny et al. 2017) Some of the
essential steps that can be taken to mitigate noise pollution involves proper evaluation of the
noise levels by proper industrial hygienists or audiologists to analyse the results. A sound level
meter or a dosimeter can be used for the evaluation (Ye et al. 2012). If the noise levels exceeds
90 DB for prolonged 8 hours then hearing protectors should be used. Construction site are
normally noisy, but certain steps can be taken to reduce the noises as much as possible. For
example, boring can be used in place of pile driving as the latter generates much noises. Old
equipment can be made quieter by the application of the sound absorbing materials (De Nevers
et al. 2010). Noisy equipment should be kept far from the residences and the dwelling places of
the staffs. Engineering controls such as modifying the equipment, retro fitting the existing
equipment with damping material can be done to keep the workplace quieter.
Management decisions should be made on the work activities, shift rotation and
dissemination of the workload to reduce the time of exposure to the noise equipment (De Nevers
et al. 2010). The construction companies should be based on the ISO14000 environmental
management standards (Harris & McCaffer 2013).
Findings
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2004), the direct impact of the civil
engineering on the environment mainly occurs from its raw material. The actual impact on the
overall environment varies on the basis of the amounts and the nature of the raw materials used.
Australia State of Environment (2016) reports, in Australia, there have been a significant growth
in the consumption of the construction’s raw materials during the last few years. During the year
1997 in Australia, 98 million tonnes of construction materials were generated and of which 99%

11AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
is consumed in Australia only and only 1% was exported. This amounts to about 5200 kg per
person of total raw materials of construction sites. Not only the main raw materials, the
construction industry also require the use of the additional environmental pollutants like 27% of
plastics, 55% of timber (mainly for residential buildings) and 12% of iron steel (ABS, 2018). All
these products damage the environmental equilibrium via causing air pollution. However,
different materials have different effect on the environment. This increase in rate of air pollution
in Australia is rising with population.
Figure: Health and Environmental Effect of Hazardous Air Pollutants
(Source: Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, 2017)
ABC News Reports that the average number of people within the household have
decreased from 3.3 persons to 2.6 persons since 1996. However, the average square areas of the
floors of new houses have increased steadily with the last 15 years (ABC News, 2017). This

12AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
increase in the total floor area by 28% signifies that there is increase in the business of civil
engineering which in turn reflecting increase in the rate of air pollution.
Figure: Increase in the average floor area in Australia by year
(Source: ABS, 2013)
Conclusion
It is important to make a change in the global approach to the methods involved in the
construction field taken in to account by the ecological technologies available nowadays.
Implementation of the site control measures in each stages of the construction can be helpful in
reducing the environmental impacts of engineering. Advanced technologies can be used in the
construction sites. Some of the important gaps present in the field are the policy rules and the

13AIR AND SOUND POLLUTION IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
regulations. Lack of proper funding is another reason for the inability to buy the advanced
Machines and monitoring in the construction sites. The nearby residents to the construction sites
are the ones who are the victim of the sound and the air pollution. Thus it can be seen that both
the air and the sound pollution caused by the civil engineering works can have serious impact on
the environment as well as the life and hence remedial measures should be taken to neutralise its
effect to some extent.

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