Author

S. GARVIN Building Research Establishment, Scotland
Abstract

There are estimated to be some 100,000 contaminated land sites in the UK resulting from the decline in heavy industry over the past 30 years. The extent and types of contamination may vary not only between different types of sites but, for example, from one gasworks to another. Prior to developing a site it is necessary to carry out a thorough site investigation, methods for which are discussed. There are essentially four remedial options: excavation and removal, containment, dilution or treatment. BRE over the past four years has investigated three areas: the resistance of materials to contaminants, the performance of containment measures and landfill gas migration into buildings. The results of some of the above investigations are presented in the paper.