förorenade

Förorenade is the past participle of the Swedish verb förorena, meaning polluted or contaminated. In common usage it describes material, environments and places affected by hazardous substances, often as a result of industrial activity, mining, waste disposal, or agriculture. The term is frequently used with nouns such as förorenade områden (contaminated sites), förorenad mark (contaminated land), and förorenat vatten (polluted water).

Causes and contaminants: Common contaminants include heavy metals (lead, cadmium), hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, and radionuclides. Contamination can affect soil, groundwater, surface water, air, and biota. Assessments characterize the extent and risks, including sampling, analysis, and risk assessment.

Remediation and management: If a site is classified as contaminated, authorities may require remediation according to risk-based approaches. Methods include excavation and removal, soil washing, in-situ treatment, bioremediation, containment with capping, and groundwater pump-and-treat. The choice depends on contaminants, extent, receptor risk, and cost.

Legal and policy context: In Sweden, environmental protection and remediation are governed by the Environmental Code (Miljöbalken) and related regulations, with oversight by national authorities such as Naturvårdsverket. EU directives on contaminated sites and soil protection influence national practice. Public and private actors conduct investigations and remediation, guided by risk assessments and land-use planning.