Example Contaminants

Example Potential Contaminants of Concern:

To help the user with their understanding three examples from each contaminant group are provided below. Of course it is essential to consider other contaminants within those groupings and other contaminant groupings.

  Main group of contaminants Three examples from contaminant group
Organic Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Benzene, ethylbenzene, phenol
Halogenated hydrocarbons Tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, trichloroethane
Non-halogenated hydrocarbons Petrol, diesel, oils
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Naphthalene, benzo (a) pyrene, phenanthrene
Dioxins and furans 2,3,7,8‑TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo‑p‑dioxin), 1,2,3,7,8‑PeCDD (pentachlorodibenzo‑p‑dioxin), 2,3,4,7,8‑PeCDF (pentachlorodibenzofuran)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 209 congeners including PCB 28, 52, 101
Pesticides and herbicides Dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane, pentachlorophenol
Organometallic compounds Organolead, organotin, organomercury
Explosives Nitroglycerine, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX)
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) Chlordane, pentachlorobenzene, UV-328
 
 Inorganic		 Metals Arsenic, cadmium, lead
Non-metals and common inorganic substances Sulphate, sulphide, nitrate
Asbestos Amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite
Cyanides Free (e.g. HCN) or combined (weak metal cyanide complexes/strong metal cyanide complexes)
Radionuclides Caesium-137, strontium-89, radium-226
 

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Dockyards and Dockland

Background:

This profile covers the activities and potential sources of contamination in dockyard areas. It does not include naval dockyards and dockland used for specific industrial processes such as shipbuilding and other engineering operations. These are covered in other Industry Profiles (see list below).

Ports, harbours and docks are intended to provide facilities for:

  • safe and economical transfer of cargo and passengers
  • the fishing industry
  • refuge for ships and small craft
  • mooring and repair of all sea-going vessels.
Potential Processes and Operations:

This profile describes only broad trends in ports across the country. It does not deal with individual ports. The history of a port is likely to show that different activities were carried out at different periods. A detailed study should be undertaken to establish its construction, types of cargo handled, the storage facilities that have been used and associated industries.

Potential Contaminants of Concern:
Contaminant type Main group of contaminants Location
Dock construction and development Cargo handling and storage Ancillary industrial activities
Organic Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • • •
Halogenated hydrocarbons • • •
Non-halogenated hydrocarbons • • •
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs • • •
Dioxins and furans     •
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)     •
Pesticides and herbicides   • •
Organometallic compounds  •   •
Explosives      
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)   • •
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)   • •
Inorganic Metals • • •
Non-metals and common inorganic substances • • •
Asbestos • • •
Cyanides • • •
Radionuclides      
 
Original Industry Profile:
Further Information Sources: Related Industry Profiles:
 

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Sewage Treatment Works

Background:

This profile looks at potential contaminants that may be associated with sewage treatment works and historical sewage farms. Sewage is a complex mixture of suspended and dissolved materials. Less than 0.1% of sewage consists of suspended solid material, the remainder is water. The chemical composition of incoming industrial effluents varies and may include heavy metals, solvents and pesticides.
 
Potential Processes and Operations:

Several physical and biological treatment processes are undertaken at a sewage works or farm. The main principle is to separate the solid material from the liquid through different treatment steps such as screening, settling (sedimentation), filtration and aeration. Chemical additives may be used.
 
Sludges produced during separation need treatment to make final sludge disposal easier and safer and these treatment steps may include digestion, heat treatment, chemical conditioning, de-watering and heat drying.
 
Potential Contaminants of Concern:

Contaminant type Main group of contaminants Location
Sewage works Sewage farms Sludge treatment/storage Detritus storage/disposal Pipework channels Chemical storage

 Organic

 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
•
 
 •      
Halogenated hydrocarbons
•
 
 •      
Non-halogenated hydrocarbons
•
 
 •      
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
 
 
        
Dioxins and furans
 
 
        
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)            
Pesticides and herbicides
•
 
        
Organometallic compounds
 
 
        
Explosives
 
 
        
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
•
 
 • • •  
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) •   • • •  
Inorganic Metals
•
•
•
•
 • •
Non-metals and common inorganic substances
•
•
•
•
 • •
Asbestos
•
 
 
•
 •  
Cyanides
•
 
•
 
 •  
Radionuclides
 
 
 
 
    
Other potential contaminants of concern
Microorganisms (pathogens) (e.g. Salmonella and Typhus bacteria) may be present. See original Industry Profile for additional information. Original profile does not include personal care products and pharmaceuticals which are a challenge for sewage treatment works.
 
Original Industry Profile:
Further Information Sources:
Related Industry Profiles:
None.
 

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Road vehicle fuelling, service and repair - garages, filling stations and service stations

 
Background:

This profile concerns garages, filling stations and service stations where road vehicles can be taken for fuelling, service and repair:
  • Garages - where the primary aim is the servicing, repair and rebuilding of motor vehicles. Sales of motor fuel (petrol, diesel, etc) may represent only a small proportion (if any) of the total turnover.
  • Filling stations - where the sale of motor fuel is the main part of the business. No repair services are provided. Fuel is normally stored in underground tanks of varying capacity.
  • Service stations - establishments that both sell motor fuel and provide facilities for servicing vehicles and minor running repairs. Other 'value-added' services such as car washes and forecourt convenience stores may also be provided. The profile currently excludes contaminants associated with the growing electric vehicle and hydrogen vehicle markets.

A separate profile addresses private bus companies, road haulage contractors and other large businesses which maintain their own repair facilities and fuel storage depots (Road vehicle fuelling, service and repair: transport and haulage centres).

 
Potential Processes and Operations:

The key activities undertaken on a site include the following:
  • Selling fuel e.g. petrol and diesel
  • Servicing and repairing vehicles
  • Car washing
Potential Contaminants of Concern:

Contaminant type Main group of contaminants Location
Fuelling areas Workshops Vehicle washing areas Paint shops
Organic
 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) •
•
   •
Halogenated hydrocarbons  
•
   •
Non-halogenated hydrocarbons
•
•
•
 •
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) •
•
    
Dioxins and furans  
 
    
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)  
 
    
Pesticides and herbicides  
 
    
Organometallic compounds •
• 
   •
Explosives  
 
    
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)  
 
 •  
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)  
 
 •  
Inorganic Metals • •  
•
Non-metals and common inorganic substances • • •
• 
Asbestos  
•
    
Cyanides  
 
    
Radionuclides  
 
    
Other potential contaminants of concern Ether oxygenates (e.g. MTBE, ETBE, TAME), ethanol, AdBlue, glycols, lubricants, coolants and hydraulic oils . See original Industry Profile for additional information. 
 
Original Industry Profile: 
Further Information Sources:
Related Industry Profiles:

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Engineering Works - electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing works

Background:

This profile is specifically for electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing processes which covers a wide range of products, from large scale electricity generation and transmitting plant through to micro-electronic components. Electrical engineering deals with high power equipment whereas electronic engineering is the manufacture of equipment which operates on very low current. The use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by the electrical industry is highlighted within this profile.
 
Potential Processes and Operations:

The key activities undertaken at an electrical and electronic equipment facility include the delivery, storage and transfer of raw materials and then a series of processing steps depending on the products being manufactured. This profile considers the following products:
  • Electrical and electronic equipment
  • Printed circuit boards
  • Active electronic components
  • Transformers and capacitors
  • Insulated wire and cables
  • Batteries
  • Electric lighting equipment
Potential Contaminants of Concern:

Contaminant type Main group of contaminants Location
Raw materials delivery/storage transfer Process sector Product storage/transfer Waste/rejects storage Waste disposal Process pipework/pumps Drainage system/ soakaways Effluent treatment areas
Organic Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
•
•
 
•
•
•
•
•
Halogenated hydrocarbons
•
•
 
•
•
•
•
•
Non-halogenated hydrocarbons
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)         •   • •
Dioxins and furans
 
 
 
 
 
      
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pesticides and herbicides
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Organometallic compounds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Explosives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)                
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)  •  • •  •   • •   • • 
Inorganic Metals  •  • •  •   • •   • • 
Non-metals and common inorganic substances  •  • •  •   • •   • • 
Asbestos    •   • •  •    
Cyanides  
 
    
 
 
    
Radionuclides  
 
    
 
 
    
Other potential contaminants of concern
The original Industry Profile contains an extensive list of additional potential contaminants, please consult this for further information.
 

Original Industry Profile:

Further Information Sources:

Related Industry Profiles:

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  1. Chemical works - coatings (paints and printing inks) manufacturing works
  2. Airports
  3. Industry Profiles

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