Abstract
Construction industry around the world is well-known as a massive contributor of waste materials and environmental impacts. Among the types of waste materials generated by this industry are concrete, plastic, wood, ceramic, and asbestos. These waste materials, in general, are chemically fused through various manufacturing processes before being transported for the construction usage. Addition of chemical compounds such as arsenic, copper, cyanide, nickel, chromium, lead, sulphate, and zinc are mainly for enhancing the mechanical and physical properties of the materials so that the materials could last longer, perform well and withstand external forces. However, construction materials that are made up of these chemical compounds are threatening the nature and human beings once the materials are used up and the leftover from the construction industry are thrown away without proper waste management practice. The aim of the study was to review hazardous compounds presented in construction waste materials and suggest ways to manage it effectively. The methodology is literature review, data collection from published articles, and data analysis. Findings from this study showed that concrete, plastic, wood, ceramic, and asbestos are among the waste materials that are made up of hazardous compounds, which impact the environment and mankind living today. As a mitigation measure, a proper waste management practice is necessary among the construction practitioners to protect humans and biological factors, save some landfill spaces, preserve some natural resources, prevent soil and underground water channel contamination, avoiding illegal dumping activities, and promotes sustainability factors. Obeying the enforced rules and regulations, utilisation of various waste management technologies, on-site waste segregation and proper storage, waste substitutions, and making use of well-structured framework developed by researchers and construction consultancy are among the methods that can be adopted in polishing the current waste management practice.
Highlights
Over the past few decades, Malaysian economy was facing rapid development and ranked 18th globally competitive country in 2015 [1]
Construction waste materials are much more complex compared to other waste materials generated by industries such as household, manufacturing, automobile and agriculture due to the nature of construction material manufactured with various compounds which include hazardous elements such as asbestos and volatile organic compounds to enhance the physical and chemical properties [13]
Major concern should be given to the compounds such as chromium, cadmium, nickel, and mercury that cause skin irritation and allergic reactions when leachates from disposed concrete waste materials or solvents come in contact with the cement and concrete workers in the manufacturing and construction industry [15]
Summary
Elamaran Manoharan*, Norazli Othman, Roslina Mohammad, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Siti Uzairiah Mohd Tobi. Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Cite This Paper in the following Citation Styles (a): [1] Elamaran Manoharan, Norazli Othman, Roslina Mohammad, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Siti Uzairiah Mohd Tobi , "A Review of Hazardous Compounds Present in Construction Waste Materials," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol 9, No 5, pp. (b): Elamaran Manoharan, Norazli Othman, Roslina Mohammad, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Siti Uzairiah Mohd Tobi (2021). A Review of Hazardous Compounds Present in Construction Waste Materials. Environment and Ecology Research, 9(5), 224 - 234.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
