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3. Health impacts and benefits of contaminated site redevelopment 3.1. Health impacts of contaminated sites Accumulated evidence suggests that living nearby or frequently visiting contaminated sites may have serious impacts on health and well-being (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2021). Processes occurring in the environment may cause pollutants in soil to migrate into groundwater and surface water or to be taken up by plants – contaminating drinking water and food, damaging crops and livestock, and harming ecosystems. Pollutants can also damage buildings and properties (e.g. through corrosion or explosion), reduce soil functions, and cause direct toxicity to humans via ingestion of soil and food; inhalation of dusts, gases and vapours; and contact with the skin (Fig. 1).
The health and environmental impacts of contaminants are various, but include: • cognitive impairment and neurological damage • adverse impacts on respiratory, renal, reproductive and digestive systems (e.g. cancers) • miscarriages and reduced fetal growth • acute poisoning in humans • damage to ecological systems.
Fig. 1. Health impact pathways of contaminated sites
Protecting health through urban redevelopment of contaminated sites
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