Exposure to chemical pollutants during the reclamation of industrial sites

The occupational exposure to chemical pollutants was assessed at four site reclamation operations (two factory demolitions : one ammonia synthesis plant and one chlorine manufacturing plant ; clearing of the chemical products left in a closed synthesis plant ; and the reclamation of a site where thousands of drums had been buried without any controls). The exposure was generally found to be well below the limit values of the different airborne pollutants, but in some cases some excesses were noted. Particular importance is placed on the necessity of wearing protective respiratory equipment that can safeguard the workers' health in atmospheres of unknown air quality. The constraints imposed in this type of situation require that the work be organized in a different manner than usual : supplementary rest periods, division of the work area into zones, with each zone corresponding to a particular set of working instructions, etc.