Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Released: Fri 21-Jan-2005, 18:00 ET  Printer-friendly Version

Building Materials Pose Pollution Hazard

Newswise — Cars and construction aren’t the only sources of pollution found in stormwater runoff that chokes waterways. Many commonly used building materials, including galvanized metal, concrete, asphalt and wood products, have contents that seep out and have the potential to release pollutants into waterways. “Preliminary results show that galvanized metal contributes the greatest concentrations of many of the pollutants we are interested in, including nutrients, to our waterways,” said UAB environmental engineering professor Melinda Lalor, Ph.D. “The study also shows that pressure-treated and waterproofed wood contribute a significant amount of pollutants. This suggests that under the right environmental conditions, products that come from building materials are just as bad for the environment as motor oil and sediment runoff.”