Air Pollution

As one of the leading environmental risks to health, air pollution has a significant impact on construction workers, who are regularly exposed to harmful dust, fumes and other airborne pollutants on site.

Identifying these pollutants and implementing effective control measures is key to creating safer, healthier environments on and around construction sites.

Air pollution is a significant threat to public health, with construction workers among those most exposed to harmful airborne contaminants. Construction activities can generate dust from cutting and drilling, as well as emissions from diesel-powered machinery and equipment. This contributes to poor air quality both on and around job sites. The scale of this impact is considerable. A DNV GL report commissioned by Oslo’s Climate Agency estimates that construction sites across C40 cities (a network of around 100 of the world's major cities committed to tackling climate change) generate between 120 and 240 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

Beyond their contribution to climate change, these emissions can have direct consequences for health. Pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ground-level ozone have been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease and other long-term health concerns.

On busy job sites, workers may experience prolonged exposure to these pollutants, while nearby communities can also be affected by reduced air quality and increased noise pollution.

There are six key pollutants that construction workers and employers need to be aware of.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

This colourless, tasteless and odourless gas can be extremely dangerous to humans. Carbon monoxide exposure can occur when petrol-powered tools are operated in enclosed spaces. Once inhaled, the gas reduces the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Nitrogen dioxide is a gas with an unpleasant smell at high concentrations. It can irritate and inflame the respiratory system, increasing the risk of breathing difficulties and infections, and worsen allergic reactions such as asthma.

Ozone

Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas made up of three oxygen atoms. In the upper atmosphere, it helps protect the Earth from harmful UV radiation, but at ground level it becomes a harmful air pollutant that can damage human health.

Hydrocarbons

These are chemical compounds made of only hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms. Benzene is a type of pure hydrocarbon, and exposure to it can damage bone marrow, reduce the production of red blood cells and weaken the body's natural defences.

Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas with a strong, pungent smell that can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory system.

Particulates

Particulates are a mix of tiny solid pieces and liquid drops floating in the air – this can include dust and smoke. Some studies suggest that exposure to particulate matter contributes to thousands of premature deaths across the UK each year.

A reduction in air pollutants will reduce the number of attributable health issues.

As the industry works towards a more sustainable future, reducing emissions is about more than meeting environmental targets. It's also an opportunity to create cleaner, healthier and safer working environments for construction professionals.

Many of the pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health originate from the same sources as emissions that contribute to climate change. Therefore, many of the steps taken to cut carbon emissions – such as improving energy efficiency and moving away from fossil fuels – can also help reduce air pollution and its impact on health.

Advances in construction equipment are helping to reduce workers' exposure to harmful air pollutants, supporting healthier and safer job sites. The MILWAUKEE® MX FUEL™ system replaces petrol-powered equipment with high-performance battery-powered alternatives. This means zero emissions on job sites and cleaner, healthier working environments.