Searches User Guide: Land uses and their potential contaminants

Below is a list of land uses we commonly encounter that could result in an Action Required report. 

Aluminium/Plating/Works/Other Metal & Machinery Factories/Works/Depots

These sites can pose a risk of contamination from metal fines and plating compounds, as well as from degreasing solvents, cutting oils, grease and petroleum fuel involved in cutting operations. The risk posed by these land uses would depend on the standard of past environmental management practices and length of operation. 

Asbestos Works

Asbestos works can present a high risk of potential contamination, both from the production of asbestos containing materials such as asbestos cement, textiles and friction materials and from metal, organic compounds, solvents, fuels and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The highest risks arise from raw material handling and storage, manufacturing operations, pipework and sumps and on-site waste storage and disposal. 

Chemical Works

There are a wide range of contaminants associated with a chemical works, such as acids, alkalis and a wide range of metallic, organic, inorganic chemicals. The type and severity of contamination will depend on the activities undertaken at the site, operational and regulatory control and the length of time the site was operated for. 

Depots/Goods Yards/Yards/Warehouses/Workshops

These sites can be very variable in their potential contamination risk and depend on the types of materials stored at the site and the number of refuelling facilities. 

Electrical Engineering/Light/Appliance Works 

Contaminants associated with electrical engineering include boron, lead, chlorinated compounds including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), molybdenum and graphite. The severity of contamination will depend on the standard of past environmental management practices and the time at which the activities took place. 

Electricity Substations

Substations built prior to 1986 can contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oils and these are highly toxic and persistent in the environment. However, PCBs are not mobile in soils or groundwater. Whilst substations do pose contamination risks, the responsibility usually lies with the relevant electricity provider. 

Factories

Common contaminants can include metals, organic and inorganic chemicals along with extreme pH and asbestos. However the contaminants found will depend on the scale, type of activities undertaken at the factory, its age and longevity. Not all factories pose a significant contamination risk. 

Foundries 

Foundries commonly pose a significant contamination risk due to the presence of acids, glues, metals, petroleum fuels, resins and solvents. 

Gas Works

Gas works are considered a very high risk, due to the operations undertaken. Contaminants include ammoniacal liquors, coal tar, metals, coal dust, spent oxides and foul lime. 

Ink/Dye Works

A wide range of raw materials, final products and water materials produced from these activities pose contamination risks. These include dyes, acids, heavy metals, solvents and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Many of these compounds can be toxic to humans and plants (phytotoxic). Chemical tanks and baths are also common features on these sites. 

Leather Factories/Works

Contaminants associated with these land uses include pathogens (e.g. anthrax), ammonia, arsenic and heavy metals. Other potential contaminants can be generated from raw materials, final and intermediate products, such as phenols, acids and hydrocarbons. 

Mills

The type and severity of contaminants depend on the use of the mill, e.g. a cotton mill vs a flour mill. Textile mills pose more of a risk and contaminants may include dyes, bleaches, ammonia and other chemical compounds. As mills were commonly located near water courses (used to power the mill), its possible contaminants may also pollute these. In addition, they are frequently associated with reservoirs that may have been filled and are both a contaminant, soil gas and geotechnical concern.

Motor Engineering, Garages and Petrol Filling Stations (PFS)

Garages, particularly if poorly managed, can cause extensive contamination from oils, petrol, solvents and metals. Good practice has changed over the decades and so risk will be dependent on age, longevity and management practices.

Paint Works

A wide range of raw materials, final products and water materials can cause extensive contamination. Such materials include metals, solvents, hydrocarbons, coal tars and aids. 

Print/Lithography/Engraving Works/Factories

Contaminants include alkalis, glues, heavy metals, inks, lubricants, petroleum hydrocarbons, resins, solvents and varnishes. 

Sewage Works

The main risk associated with sewage works is from the presence of pathogens, but other contaminative sources include oils from machinery and elevated metal concentrations. In addition, waste sludge can be deposited on site, which can be a significant source of soil gases.

Scrap Yards

Scrap yards pose a hazard due to the nature of materials stored, and the range of activities varies from car dismantlers, breakers to metal and other recycling sites. Potential contaminants include oils, solvents, asbestos and radioactive materials. The transfer of contaminants may occur by leaching of water-soluble compounds through soils and groundwater, and by wind-borne dispersion of materials such as asbestos fibres. 

Tanneries

Bacteria and pathogens are commonly associated with tanneries. Other significant issues relate to the use of brine, dyes, oils and solvents used during the tanning process. 

Timber Yards and associated woodworking processes

The type and severity of contaminants depend on the the processes undertaken, the length of operations and the standard of  past environmental management practices. Contaminants can include preservatives, wood stains, herbicides and fungicides. 

Tram and Rail Depots and associated land

Tram depots, tracks and maintenance areas are commonly found in urban areas where this mode of transport was most popular. Contaminants include oils, solvents, fuels, metals and preservatives. 

Textile Operations

Wide ranges of contaminants are associated with textile operations, which may originate from raw, intermediate and final materials, and more often from waste products. These may include acids, arsenic, benzene, dyes, solvents and resins. In addition there is potential for waste deposits which may generate soil gas. 

Works 

Works are used to describe a wide variety of industrial sites where heavy engineering took place. Often, the type of works is not documented which makes it difficult to identify the type of contaminants. However, generally, metals, oils and solvents are common, particularly in operational and chemical/fuel storage areas. The scale and length of time the site was operational for and the standard of past environmental management practices will impact the risks posed.