Mega Prisons

During their construction and operating phases, large scale building developments have a direct impact on our daily lives, health and well-being through the air that we breathe and a long-term impact on our children through their effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The construction industry is a major source of pollution, responsible for around 4% of particulate emissions, more water pollution incidents than any other industry and thousands of noise complaints every year.

Construction pollutes the air through land clearance, operation of diesel engines, demolition, burning, and working with toxic materials. High levels of microscopic dust containing traces and particles of concrete, cement, wood, stone, sulphates and silica can be spread over several miles. Construction sites can also release carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons and noxious vapours from oils, glues, thinners, paints, treated woods, plastics, cleaners and other hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere. Although these emissions are invisible to the naked eye, their effects can be insidious. They can penetrate deeply into the lungs and cause a wide range of health problems, including respiratory illness, asthma, bronchitis and even cancer.

Although some reductions are possible, the fact remains the cement sector still accounts for 7 percent of global GHG emissions. If the global cement sector was a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitter in the world.

“Close to a quarter of energy-related global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are generated by the transport sector”.

One thing we all notice when we find ourselves outside a large city, is the darkness of the night sky. Apart from being able to see the stars better on a clear night, why does that matter? Well, the simple answer is that wildlife looks at the sky too but is far more likely to be adversely affected by changes in light levels. Even during the day, some building materials can be mistaken for water. How do we put an ‘offset value’ on that?

The noise from a construction site and road traffic are fairly obvious but we often ignore the impact it has on our lives and well-being. Not only is noise annoying and distracting but it can cause a range of cause health problems including hearing loss, high blood pressure, sleep disturbance and stress and not only for humans. Research suggests that high noise levels disturb the natural cycles of animals and forces them to migrate to new habitats.

Sources of water pollution on building sites include: diesel and oil; paint, solvents, cleaners and other harmful chemicals; and construction debris and dirt. When land is cleared and construction begins, it causes soil erosion and run-off of water containing silt, diesel, oil, toxic chemicals, and building materials like cement. Once these pollutants enter natural waterways, they destroy aquatic life and harm any wild or farm animal that drinks from them. Pollutants on construction sites can also soak into the groundwater, a source of human drinking water. Once contaminated, groundwater is much more difficult to treat than surface water.

Local roads often flood and suffer road closures because of the local infrastructure. Further runoff from an enormous construction site will make flooding and thus road closures a more frequent occurrence.