Global Environmental Issues in Construction Industry - Essay Example

According to a calculation, in Seattle for example, construction and demolition waste accounts for about 40% of all municipal waste. But much of this waste can be recycled and brought to be used again (1).

Construction work can affect the environment in several ways. Site excavation, clearance, construction and renovation activities, toxic chemicals, and wastes including bricks, cement, concrete, plaster, insulation, metal, wood, and wood products; these all play a part in causing damage to the environment in one or the other way. According to an estimate, these wastes comprise about 15 to 30% of all the waste disposed of in landfills. Although many governments have passed laws to restrict the disposal of toxic construction products on the lands, and to recycle the materials used.

The construction industry is now facing big challenges to precede their work in an environment-friendly manner. Till now, deforestation in the form of ruthless cuttings of forest trees and the clearance of vast grasslands has led to an increase in the global warming effect. We all know that trees act as the lungs of the earth. Deforestation leads to a loss of wild habitat and native plant life. The use of heavy machinery leads to the erosion and sedimentation of the ground. Different chemicals lead to the contamination of soil, surfaces, and groundwater (2).

There is a variety of different sorts of materials used for construction purposes including, cement, wood, bricks, paints, ceramic, marble, steel, concrete, etc. Most of the environmental hazards due to the construction industry occur as a result of the improper disposal of the waste materials produced as a result of construction work. These wastes lead to the contamination of the soil as well as the water in which they are disposed of. Starting from the step of clearing land for construction purposes, a chain of harmful events begins. Deforestation and clearing of the land lead to damage to the natural habitat living there, both the animals and plants. Many species of animals have now become endangered due to the continuous loss of their natural habitats, and thus reducing their chances of survival.

Deforestation also leads to a warming up of the globe. Different gases and pollutants produced as a result of industrialization and automobiles need trees to properly clear them. In the absence of trees, these gases continue to accumulate in our atmosphere, thus, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The deposition of different chemicals in the environment has led to problems like acid rain and smog (smoke and fog). The harmful smoke from the industries has already led to damage to the ozone layer.

Many countries have now passed rules to control such harmful effects resulting from industrialization and construction work. Stress is being made on using such material which can be recycled to be used again, instead of going as a waste material. Such material is encouraged which uses a minimal amount of packaging material. There is a need for the proper storage of construction material to reduce the amount of waste produced as a result of damage or exposure to the elements (2).

Another view is to use such material for construction purposes, that does not need to be replaced so often so that there is less amount of construction waste generated over time. To reduce the spoilage of unused material, only the required amount of toxic materials be purchased, for example, paints.

Transportation of construction materials to far-off countries also leads to the generation of pollution. This can be reduced by encouraging the production of the construction materials in the same environment where the construction is going to take place, if possible.

Using recyclable materials is also greatly encouraged. This reduces the amount of waste production to a minimum. The construction material left over at the end of a particular project should be reused in some other construction project, rather than being disposed of. Even such materials as cabinets, doors, windows, plumbing, and lighting fixtures should be tried to be used in some other construction project. If any land is cleared for construction, the cut-down trees should be sold, or used for some other purpose (2).

It is still not very difficult to control the environmental hazards produced by construction work. By following the rules made by governments to control pollution, and by proper planning well before the commencement of construction, we can reduce the environmental hazards to our planet.