title: Instruments to reduce the leaching of heavy metals from building materials in the Netherlands.
abstract: In the Netherlands the leaching of heavy metals from metal building and constructing materials results in serious contamination problems in the water system. The most common sources of these heavy metals in construction materials are copper waterworks and roofs, zinc roofs, gutters and rain pipes, zinced steel, stainless steel, and lead sealing material. In urban waters the surface water and sediment standards are often exceeded. Although building and construction materials are certainly not the only source of heavy metals, they are an important part of the problem. This article focuses on six instruments that are in use in the Netherlands to try to reduce impact on the surface waters. In addition to this, national as well as international, a reconsideration of the risks and surface water standards for several heavy metals is considered. A balanced use of instruments can be considered as the application of a best practice.
authors.affiliation: Association of Water Boards, Koningskade 40, 2596 AA The Hague, The Netherlands. abreemen@uvw.nl
authors.forename: A J H
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Breemen
authors.forename: P H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Vermij
mesh_terms: D003252:Construction Materials; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009426:Netherlands; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014872:Water Movements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc