Cleaning up Forever Chemicals in Construction: Informing Industry Change

Kurt Chamberlain, Bethanie Storey, Jayden Brown, Scott Rayburg, John Rodwell and Melissa Neave
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Kurt Chamberlain: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Bethanie Storey: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Jayden Brown: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Scott Rayburg: Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
John Rodwell: Department of Management & Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
Melissa Neave: School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) contamination has been found in the construction spoil of many major projects, and there is growing concern about the health and environmental implications of these “forever” chemicals. In a context where construction and tunneling have experienced substantial growth, Australia and other countries are still developing their PFAS management. This study used convergent interviews to surface the key common issues that are associated with the management of PFAS contamination in the construction industry. The construction industry appears stuck in their ways and extremely financially driven. Regulation is not working because of poor enforcement and policing from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA could look to employ individuals with more construction industry experience in order to become a strong regulator in the industry, as well as to streamlining decision-making processes, while maintaining quality. To speed up changes in the management of PFASs within the construction industry, large organizations could be targeted by the relevant sustainability rating scheme, and there could be further use of the alliance models to research, develop, and implement PFAS treatment methods.

Keywords: PFAS; remediation; toxic soil; tunneling; convergent interviewing; spoil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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