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Why Building Contaminant Exploration Is Critical to Safe and Sustainable Construction Projects
As an experienced environmental and geoengineering office, ICP Ingenieure GmbH – a member of the SIERA Alliance has been supporting building owners, municipalities, planning offices and industry for more than three decades. With expertise in geotechnics, hydrogeology, environmental assessments and building pollutants, the company offers safe, efficient and sustainable solutions throughout the entire life cycle of a building – from the initial subsoil investigation to controlled dismantling and remediation. This expertise forms the basis for reliable pollutant investigations that protect people, the environment and project budgets alike.
Why a building pollutant investigation is so important
In the past, numerous materials were used that are questionable from today’s point of view. These include, among others:
- Asbestos in floor coverings, roof panels, fillers and adhesives
- Artificial mineral fibres (CMF) in insulation materials
- PCBs in joint compounds, paints, capacitors and gaskets
- PAHs in tar products, asphalt screeds and bitumen waterproofing
- Heavy metals such as lead, chromium or cadmium in paints and corrosion protection coatings
If these substances are processed improperly, they can be released and cause significant health hazards. At the same time, strict legal regulations such as the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, TRGS 519/521, the LAGA guidelines and disposal regulations apply, which must be observed.
Professional pollutant analysis provides clarity at an early stage and enables safe remediation, plannable construction processes, reliable cost estimates and the possible reuse or recycling of building materials – a direct contribution to sustainability and resource efficiency.
How ICP Ingenieure GmbH conducts pollutant investigations
ICP Ingenieure GmbH works with a structured, scientifically sound methodology to ensure a comprehensive and legally compliant identification of building pollutants.
- Inventory and document research
- Evaluation of all available construction plans and historical documents
- Analysis of the renovation and conversion history of the building
- Identification of potential pollutant areas
- Evaluation of building materials typical for the age of construction
- On-site inspection, sampling & laboratory analysis
- Visual inspection of all accessible building areas
- Taking material, dust and indoor air samples
- Use of standardized sampling procedures to ensure reproducibility
- Laboratory analyses by accredited testing facilities
- Documentation of the sampling points and the conditions found
- Assessment & Hazard Classification
- Evaluation of laboratory results and pollutant concentrations
- Assessment of health and environmental risks and the resulting need for action
- Determination of the need for remediation, protection or disposal
- Renovation & dismantling concept
- Development of a property-specific renovation or dismantling plan
- Definition of technical and organizational measures
- Determination of occupational health and safety and environmental protection measures
- Recommendations for waste management companies and responsible authorities
- Expert support, monitoring and documentation
- Professional support on site during the renovation work
- Monitoring compliance with labour, safety and environmental standards
- Control of proper pollutant removal and disposal
- Final documentation for clients and authorities for complete traceability
This structured process ensures clear decision-making processes, legal certainty and secure project execution – from the first on-site visit to the final restructuring report.
Pollutant investigations as part of sustainable project planning
Beyond safety and legal requirements, pollutant investigations make an important contribution to sustainable construction and circular value chains:
- Enable early planning of reuse and recycling of materials
- Reduce disposal quantities and save landfill space
- Support urban mining and resource-efficient dismantling processes
- Improve the environmental performance of renovation and revitalization projects
- Ensure that components can be certified as free of harmful substances
By integrating pollutant exploration into early project phases, ICP Ingenieure GmbH supports environmentally responsible development and the long-term preservation of valuable resources.
What makes ICP Ingenieure GmbH a reliable partner
- Decades of experience in environmental, geotechnical and hydrogeotechnical engineering
- Several hundred projects a year in building construction, infrastructure and industry
- Interdisciplinary expertise in geology, environmental assessments, remediation of contaminated sites, geotechnics and building pollutants
- Commitment to environmentally responsible engineering and sustainable project strategies
- Comprehensive support – from the first on-site visit to the complete official documentation
Conclusion Building pollutant investigations are essential for safe, legally compliant and sustainable construction projects. By identifying and evaluating potentially hazardous substances at an early stage, project managers gain planning security, cost transparency, environmental protection and occupational safety.
ICP Ingenieure GmbH – a member of the SIERA Alliance – provides reliable and technically precise pollutant investigations that form the basis for safe remediation, efficient dismantling and responsible use of resources.
Contact ICP Ingenieure GmbH
Talk to the experts at ICP Ingenieure GmbH If you need clarity about possible building pollutants before the start of the project, we offer precise investigations and tailor-made solutions that support safe, legally compliant and sustainable project execution.
