Preventing harm from chlorinated solvents
A contaminated site in north-eastern Hungary belonging to a multinational manufacturing company was contaminated with volatile organic compounds in the form of chlorinated solvents present as a dissolved plume and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL). The plume had migrated 300 m into a residential area. Exposure can lead to short- or long-term health effects, depending on how it enters the body and the amount. Short-term side effects include dizziness, fatigue, headaches and skin rashes. Long-term side effects include chronic skin problems and damage to the nervous system, kidneys or liver.
The insidious nature of the material means that there is no practical method for removing contaminated sources. The manufacturing company feared remediation would cost millions of euros but would be futile because of the nature of the material. So, it wanted to convince the local environmental authority that it could mitigate the risks to human health and the environment without trying to remove the contamination sources.
The company asked BGT Hungaria Kรถrnyezettechnolรณgiai Kft. (BGT Hungaria) to perform human health and environmental risk assessments and develop a remediation design for the site. (In 2014, RSK acquired a 100% shareholding in BGT Hungaria.) It advocated adopting the US Environmental Protection Agencyโs technical impracticality approach and the environmental authority agreed. This approach focused on mitigating the risks to human health and the environment. Using on-site dye tests and cone-penetration test membrane interface probe campaigns, BGT Hungaria investigated the DNAPLs. The plume was defined through hydrodynamic and contaminant-transport modelling. The study quantifies and predicts physical, chemical and biological processes. The data enabled BGT Hungaria to construct a conceptual site model.
The conceptual site model was a key element in determining the risk mitigation strategy. BGT Hungaria designed a pump-and-treat system to prevent plume-front migration. Sentinel wells in uncontaminated areas check for plume expansion and vapour intrusion monitoring systems in residential areas enable intervention measures, such as soil depressurisation systems, to be applied, should these be required to protect human health.
For 10 years, the mitigation measures have contained the plume and protected humans and the environment. The adoption of a technical impracticality approach has saved the manufacturing company millions of euros. Monitoring is ongoing: BGT Hungaria analyses samples and the data are uploaded to a GIS system, which enables easy analysis and interrogation of a decade of data.
- Location: Hungary
- Project status: Complete
- Sector: Property and Construction
- Service: Health, Safety and Risk Remediation Remediation Strategy
Supporting the creation of a new garden village in Cheshire
View ProjectRepairing lightning damage on a wind turbine in Scotland
View ProjectHelping Singapore meet its future waste disposal needs
View ProjectDesigning and assessing an onshore wind farm in the Highlands of Scotland
View ProjectDesigning and assessing proposed windfarms in Scotland
View ProjectEnvironmental and social risk appraisal support for African โpower-to-xโ development
View ProjectConsulting on the construction of the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Singapore
View ProjectBringing international best practice and process to phase 2 of Singaporeโs Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
View ProjectFacilitating renewable energy investments in Europe
View ProjectEnsuring shale gas projects for Poland and beyond
View ProjectProviding award-winning storm water solutions for urban flooding challenges
View ProjectUpgrading sewage treatment facilities to serve community needs in Hong Kong
View Project
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #waterindustry #construction
๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #wellbeing #health #mentalhealth #walking
#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
#RSKGroup #rskfamily #LGBT #LGBTQ+ #inclusion #diversity #LGBTally #Pride2022
๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature