Is Your Soil Contaminated? Signs, Causes, and What to Do Next

Contaminated soil should always be taken seriously – even when the contamination seems minor. The smallest amount of contamination can have major and permanent impacts on human health, as well as the ecosystems around your site. Depending on the contaminants, ignoring the contamination can even be fatal.

At Initial Services, we're experts in remediating soil and removing dangerous contaminants, so that you can continue on with your project safely. We strategically eliminate the risks that come with the removal of soil pollution through our careful processes and decades of experience. In this article, we'll help you understand all the important information you need to keep your project on track and as safe as possible.

This Article at a Glance:

• Contaminated or polluted soil can have a serious impact on human health and soil remediation is essential even for what might seem like minor contamination.
• It's difficult to detect soil contamination without expert analysis: always bring in a licensed contamination removal specialist to analyse your soil and determine the soil pollution present.
• Alongside health risks, there are financial and reputational damages that can be incurred if you don't correctly deal with contaminated land: don't risk legal action or hefty penalties!

Understanding Contaminated Soil

The most common kind of soil contamination that we deal with is asbestos-contaminated soil. But it's not the only dangerous soil contaminant you need to watch out for: heavy metals, organic contaminants and acid-sulphate soils can all have disastrous impacts on human, plant, and project health. In the assessment stage of some of our projects, we'll find that there is more than one kind of contaminant present – it always pays to check in with the professionals.

Why is soil contamination a problem?

Asbestos contamination in soil presents a significant and persistent hazard. When disturbed, asbestos fibres can become airborne, posing a serious inhalation risk to anyone nearby. To mitigate this substantial danger, it is imperative to engage a qualified and experienced specialist. Their expertise is crucial in ensuring the safe and effective management of asbestos, thereby protecting public health and safety.

Asbestos inhalation has been linked to severe and life-threatening health issues including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These are health conditions with long latency periods, making them difficult to treat and predict after the initial exposure – this makes them especially dangerous.

How does soil get contaminated?

Soil contamination can occur through various means, including demolition work, unchecked pesticide application, and improper disposal of hazardous materials. Specifically, asbestos contamination often results from the demolition or degradation of structures, illegal dumping, and poor construction practices. Additionally, changes in land use can lead to soil contamination. For example, plots previously used as car dealerships or petrol stations may leave behind fuel tanks and other hazardous substances. These remnants must be meticulously removed, and the soil properly treated before the land can be repurposed.

Our expertise in hazardous substance removal and land reclamation ensures that such contamination is addressed effectively. We are committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring the safety of future developments through our comprehensive and professional approach to soil decontamination

What are the signs of contaminated soil?

The golden rule is that you can't detect contaminated land by just looking at it – you'll need the help of a licensed asbestos assessor and removalist.

It's challenging (and often impossible) to determine if a site is contaminated just by looking at it. Sometimes, after weather events or rain, it's possible to see the thin, white fibres of asbestos – but you should never rely on visual cues alone. Asbestos can look entirely different based on the material that it's mixed with and the fibres can be so thin that the human eye can't even detect them. Some contaminated land might show no visual signs of asbestos at all and will need chemical testing to determine if toxic chemicals are present.

Often, the best indicator of contamination or asbestos is the site's history.

The history of a site is often the best indicator of potential contamination or asbestos presence. For instance, we recently completed the Downtown Toyota Decontamination project, which involved the removal of 11 underground tanks containing mineral oil and fuel that had been in place for over 20 years. A thorough site history investigation would have flagged the likelihood of such tanks being present.

In this project, we not only removed the 11 tanks but also extracted nearly 9,000 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated soil and approximately 1,000 tonnes of lead and mineral oil-contaminated soil. This massive undertaking required over 540 truckloads of contaminated soil, a task that exceeds the capabilities of many demolition companies in Queensland.

Our team's expertise, coupled with our innovative equipment and safe, expert methodologies, enabled us to complete this project efficiently and on schedule. If you are a petrol station owner considering land repurposing, trust our proven track record and specialised skills to handle your decontamination needs.

Properties built pre-1990 (or in 1990) are highly likely to contain at least some asbestos. Similarly, factories, petrol stations, and landfill sites are likely to be contaminated – if not with asbestos, with other kinds of soil pollution and hazardous substances. Even agricultural soils can have agricultural chemicals that can impact human health: it always pays to check.

In short, it really can be hard to spot soil contamination! So, testing before works commence is always the way to go. We use cutting-edge testing techniques that can give you certainty about the status of your contaminated land. From there, we can develop the safest possible contaminated soil disposal strategy and get your site back to full operations.

Risks of Leaving Soil Contaminated

When you've got contaminated land (or suspected contaminated land), you must act quickly.

The risks of leaving contaminated sites unaddressed are complex and multilayered – we'll break it down for you:

Impacts on human health and plant health: As we've mentioned, even in low concentrations, soil pollution can bring about fatal consequences. If you suspect contaminated soil, it's your responsibility to act quickly.

Regulatory impacts: Ignoring contaminated soil can come with serious legal consequences. It's a major Workplace Health and Safety violation that can attract significant government fines and legal action from employees.

Reputational impacts: Being seen to ignore the critical health impacts of asbestos will damage your reputation as an employer and a company. In a nutshell, the financial cost of removal will be far overshadowed by the financial and reputation burdens of inaction.

Project timeline impacts: Checking for contaminated soil needs to occur at the start of your project – if it's discovered down the line (which it often will be), you will have to stop work and this could blow out timelines. Managing expectations from the start is much more predictable and keeps your productivity on track.

What to Do Next: Steps to Address Contaminated Soil

Suspect soil contamination and don't know where to start?

Contaminated sites must be dealt with by a licensed provider and unauthorised removals can lead to serious financial consequences – not to mention the risks they can pose to human health.

The first step is always to get in touch with a licensed asbestos removal partner. We'll then start you on a proven path to remove the toxic substances from your site and its soil.

While every site is different and we always provide you with a customised solution, here's an overview of how the process works

1. Contact us: You can call, fill in our contact form or send through an email – let us know any details you have of the job and we'll get back to you.
2. Initial inspection: We'll identify all asbestos-containing materials (and any other contaminants we suspect may be present). We use the latest testing equipment to ensure nothing's missed.
3. Creating a custom plan: Based on our findings at our inspection and the results of any testing, we'll make a tailored removal plan that maximises both safety and efficiency.
4. Safe removal: Once we've communicated our plan to remove the contaminated soil and explained the soil remediation process to you, we'll get underway with careful removal and disposal. We'll adhere to the strictest safety protocols throughout the procedure for your peace of mind and personal safety.

Throughout this process, we prioritise clear communication – so you're always in the loop about what's happening, any changes in timelines, and our strategies to minimise disruption to your project.

Why Work with Initial Services?

Choosing a partner to help with your contaminated soil can be a difficult process – we know that! Here are just a few reasons you can trust Initial Services with your project.

Experience: With over 40 years of combined experience, we possess the leadership and practical skills necessary to tackle even the most significant projects. Our extensive portfolio includes work with Tier One Construction companies as well as individual homeowners, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in projects of all kinds. On average, we complete around 380 hazardous materials clearances per year, demonstrating our capability and reliability. For instance, our recent Downtown Toyota Decontamination project showcased our expertise in managing large-scale decontamination efforts, including the removal of 11 underground tanks and nearly 9,000 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated soil.

In addition to our technical skills, we excel in liaising with Principal contractors, waste depots, and adhering to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. This enables us to secure discounted rates for the removal of large volumes of contaminated soil, ensuring cost-effective and compliant project execution.

Professionalism: We always operate with the utmost professionalism and we pride ourselves on creating strong, enduring relationships with our clients and suppliers. We prioritise safety and clear communication above all, helping you achieve excellent efficiency in your contaminated soil disposal project. Plus, with over 40 years of experience, we know the right contractors and suppliers to work with, so we can point you in the right direction if we identify any further works that need to be done on your site.

Fully qualified and certified: Across the board, Initial Services has the qualifications and licenses you need to get the project done in a safe and compliant manner. We hold an unrestricted demolition license, as well as an asbestos removal license for both Friable (Class A) and Non-Friable (Class B) Asbestos. This means that whatever we come across onsite, we're equipped to handle it! Plus, we have Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) authorisation to transport hazmat materials and triple ISO certifications for quality, environmental, and workplace health and safety. (9001:2015, 14001:2015, 45001:2018). This means we're your one-stop shop for all hazmat and demolition works.

So, what's the key advice for you to take away if you find yourself dealing with contaminated sites? Firstly, act quickly: due to the significant dangers posed by contaminated soil, it's in everybody's best interests to address this hazard as quickly as possible. And secondly, never try to DIY! For the health and productivity of your people and your project, call Initial Services to ensure you're always doing the right thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does soil remediation cost?

Prior to starting work, we can provide costs for a lump sum or schedule of rates for your approval. However, there is no 'standard' soil remediation work – every site is different. Using an experienced provider like Initial Services, you'll know more after a thorough examination of the site.

Because we want you to have peace of mind after your works are complete, we advise all of our clients to engage an independent Environmental Hygienist to certify when the contaminated land is back to full health. If you don't yet have a preferred Hygienist, we'll be able to provide suggestions of options that are most accessible to you. Throughout the whole process – from assessment to final payment, we'll work with you in complete transparency, so you always know that your project is on track and can ensure the best cost-benefit ratio for your project.

How long does the process take?

As each project is different, the best first step is to get in touch for an evaluation. Sometimes even a small site can take a lot of time, depending on the extent of the contamination. Once we conduct a thorough analysis, we'll be able to provide a better estimate. We are diligent with

Can I ignore minor contamination?

You cannot ignore minor contamination – and when it comes to asbestos removal, there is no such thing as 'minor'. There is no minimum safe level of asbestos – any quantity that you inhale can get lodged in your lungs and cause serious health issues down the line. It's part of our best practices and professional obligations that, if detected, we have to remove and safely dispose of any asbestos or asbestos-contaminated material. Nothing good will come from ignoring the risk!

Where can you get rid of soil from contaminated land?

We're often asked where to get rid of soil when it comes to asbestos removal – and the answer is that you'll need to engage a licensed operator. You absolutely cannot remove asbestos by yourself and dispose of it in a regular landfill (or on somebody else's land). Licensed operators will be able to work with licensed landfill providers to remove the soil or materials – whether it be garden soil or broken-down construction materials from a contaminated site.

Asbestos-contaminated soil and any other asbestos-contaminated material must be taken to regulated landfills for due processing. Once it's at the landfill, asbestos is isolated from the rest of the soil through highly specialised processes.

How do you transport asbestos?

If the quantity of asbestos-contaminated materials is greater than 10 sqm or 100kg, it must be removed by a licensed operator and transported by an authorised company. The materials need to be accompanied by a Waste Transfer Certificate during transport. This is the benefit of using a company like Initial Services – we are fully licensed and can handle all of this paperwork for you with the safest possible practices at all times.