I read with interest recent reports about demolition waste and soil from the demolition of the White House East Wing being transported to the East Potomac Golf Course on Hains Point in Washington, D.C. The East Wing, built in 1902 and renovated multiple times, is undergoing demolition to make way for a large formal ballroom. The debris from this project is being described as a “reuse” effort to expand golf course playing areas.
According to media accounts, demolition materials — including sheetrock, ceiling debris and metal components — are being processed on site with machinery to reduce their size before being deposited at the golf course, which is overseen by the National Park Service as a public park. In my view, this project warrants formal environmental review by the park service, including preparation of an Environmental Assessment to determine whether a full Environmental Impact Statement is required.
The central concern is the potential contamination of demolition debris and soils. Buildings constructed and renovated over decades may contain asbestos, lead-based paint, mercury from fluorescent lighting and electrical controls, heavy metals from wiring and electronics, and residual toxic compounds such as solvents. Before demolition, standard demolition practice requires a comprehensive pre-deconstruction survey to identify hazardous materials that may be present in the debris. Suspect materials are sampled and analyzed, and the results are used to develop a health and safety plan for the project. This typically includes worker monitoring, stationary air sampling in the work area, dust suppression measures such as water sprays, and strict controls on handling and transport of the debris.
Equally important is the selection and approval of the appropriate disposal or reuse sites. The East Potomac Golf Course is an active public recreation area, with golfers and other park visitors in close proximity to the debris disposal site. Piling demolition debris in an unsecured park environment raises legitimate concerns about airborne dust, soil contamination and public exposure.
The risks of inadequate demolition controls are well documented. After the Sept. 11 attacks, debris from the World Trade Center was handled under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and disposed of in secure facilities or approved reuse areas. However, the long-term health consequences of exposure to contaminated dust and debris prior to disposal have been profound: More responders and survivors have reportedly died from World Trade Center-related illnesses than were killed in the attacks themselves, and over 100,000 people are enrolled in the federal WTC Health Program with tens of thousands having certified WTC-related conditions. These examples demonstrate that demolition debris management requires careful environmental and health protections.
Similarly, large-scale wildfire debris cleanups have required professional oversight, hazardous material screening and controlled disposal. These examples demonstrate that disposal of demolition debris requires careful management and environmental and health protections.
Therefore, it is essential that a comprehensive environmental assessment, contaminant testing, dust park and that any corrective measures disclosed by that work be implemented. Protecting park visitors, controls and health monitoring measures be implemented immediately at the site adjacent to the public workers, and the surrounding environment must be the first priority.
Dr. Michael Sills was the Chief Engineer of the New Hampshire Environmental Agency for nearly 30 years, overseeing the Super Fund, RCRA Solid Waste and Emergency Spill Response functions of the Agency. He lives in Bedford.