The production site for asbestos cement

The Challenge

Lebanese client wanted to sell off parcel of unutilized land for potential residential development. A search of records indicated that the site was previously used to produce asbestos cement products. Key issues to be addressed: How to determine if the site was contaminated with asbestos. Where to find competent experts who could sample and identify the extent of contamination, How to remediate the site without exposing workers, where to dispose of the contaminated soil in a safe responsible manner. No local experts or laboratories could be found which could provide a survey of extent of asbestos contamination.

The Solution

A sampling plan was devised including precautions for a local sampling team and sample handling, and a laboratory was identified in Europe where samples were sent to and analyzed. Discussions were held with local authorities on a means to remediate the site and send the contaminated soil to a secure controlled landfill. As no such facility existed in Lebanon at the time and it was cost prohibitive to ship the material to another country, discussions were held with the client and local authorities for options.

The Results

Discussions with local stakeholders and experts indicated that the site could be re-utilized for only certain applications such as a ready-mix concrete plant if the following conditions:

The site was to be capped and covered with vegetation, warning signs in Arabic, French and English posted on site, the operational footprint of the plant to be paved and the land deed amended to indicate asbestos contamination.

A footnote was added that if in a future time if proper remediation and secure controlled landfills were to become locally available, the future landowner could have the amendment removed from the deed upon proof of remediation and secure controlled land-filling.

Although this was not the optimal solution for the client, the contaminated land was registered but put back into industrial use.