Chemical exposure of employees working to decontaminate soils contaminated with hydrocarbons

Decontaminating sites and soils is an occupational sector that is booming. Total hydrocarbons (THCs) account for about 25% of contaminants or pollutants, and, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), soils polluted with THCs are 60% treated without being confined, and by "biological" techniques. INRS conducted seven measurement campaigns during decontamination of soils contaminated with THCs, three of which were conducted while the earth was being excavated, two while biopiles were being formed off-site, and two while biopiles were being formed on-site by using the venting/bioventing technique. The general chemical exposure of the operatives was low but, depending on the configuration of the worksite (open-air or enclosed), on the nature and on the concentration of the pollutants in the soil, and on the seasonality, exposure was potentially significant to total particulate matter (TPM) and to aromatic hydrocarbons of the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) type. Thanks to their ventilated cabs, mobile plant and site vehicle drivers were less exposed than operatives on foot who were wearing respiratory protective devices. Only measurement campaigns make it possible to assess with accuracy the levels of pollution on any given worksite.