Construction activities can have a significant impact on both air and water quality. Here’s an overview of how construction pollutants can affect these environmental media:

Air Quality:

• Dust and particulate matter: Construction sites generate large amounts of dust and particulate matter from activities like excavation, demolition, and vehicle movement on unpaved surfaces. This can degrade local air quality and pose respiratory health risks.
• Emissions from equipment: Gasoline and diesel-powered construction equipment like trucks, cranes, and generators release various air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM).
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Paints, solvents, and other construction materials can release VOCs that contribute to smog formation and indoor air quality issues.

Water Quality:

• Sediment runoff: Soil erosion from construction sites can lead to increased sediment loads in nearby water bodies, which can harm aquatic ecosystems by reducing light penetration, clogging fish gills, and smothering benthic organisms.
• Chemical spills and leaks: Improper storage, handling, and disposal of fuels, oils, paints, and other chemicals used on construction sites can result in their release into surface waters and groundwater.
• Nutrient pollution: Fertilizers and other nutrient-rich materials used on construction sites can be washed off into water bodies, leading to eutrophication and algal blooms.
• Elevated turbidity: Construction activities that disturb the soil, such as excavation and dewatering, can increase the turbidity (cloudiness) of nearby water bodies, which can impact aquatic life.

Regulatory agencies often have strict controls and permitting requirements in place to mitigate the environmental impacts of construction projects. Proper implementation of best management practices, such as erosion and sediment control measures, spill prevention plans, and stormwater management, can help minimize the effects of construction pollutants on air and water quality.