Project

The site was to be developed for housing, however ground contamination was encountered locally across the site, in the form of asbestos (Chrysotile) and explosive residues (Picric Acid, Nitro-glycerine) found within the made ground and near surface soils.

Contaminant

Asbestos, picric acid and nitro-glycerine (explosive residues)

Challenges

Critical to the success of the project was a stringent validation process to confirm that all contamination had been removed from potential back garden areas.

Churngold Solution

Five areas of the site were identified as being contaminated by asbestos, with small localized areas having picric acid and nitro-glycerine contamination. The remediation work involved carefully excavating those areas of made ground, identified as being contaminated, and disposing of any asbestos contaminated material at a designated and licensed facility. The remainder of the material underwent a screening process to remove any asbestos fragments, and after validating the material was not in exceedance of Remedial Target Values, was disposed of off site. A robust and detailed series of monitoring tests and detailed audit trail was critical for the final validation report to confirm the developers have a ‘clean’ site suitable for redevelopment.

During the project some ammunition casings were located. The Police and Bomb Squad were alerted and all materials removed within 6 hours of the discovery allowing works to proceed unhindered.

Technologies employed

• Asbestos removal
• Screening
• Dig & Dump