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The Cost of Environmental Degradation
the aggregate result tends to reflect the real cost of the oil spill only in part because of the conservative assumptions adopted for valuation. Moreover, the overall estimate and its breakdown by impact should be regarded with much caution because many of the assumptions are subjective for lack of accurate data.
Demolition, Military, and Medical Waste The hostilities in Lebanon destroyed the country’s infrastructure in many areas, leaving enormous amounts of demolition, military, and medical waste. This section focuses on (a) the impacts of demolition waste resulting from the military aggression; (b) the impacts of unexploded ordnances (UXOs), as environmental waste, on people’s lives and sources of income; and (c) the increase in medical waste associated with the humanitarian relief effort.
Overview During the hostilities, the bulk of the military operations concentrated in three areas: the southern suburbs of Beirut, the districts of the South, and the Baalbek El-Hermel region. Destruction of residential units in these areas caused significant quantities of demolition waste. The constituents of typical demolition debris can be grouped into the following categories: • Primary inert fractions: asphalt, brick, cinder block, concrete with rebar or wire mesh, concrete without steel reinforcement, masonite or slate, ceramic tile, glass, dirt or earth, plastic sheet film, plastic pipe, porcelain including bathroom fixtures, ferrous and nonferrous metal, electrical wiring, fiberglass insulation, and plastic buckets or containers. • High organic-based fractions: ceiling tiles; corrugated shipping containers; insulation-treated cellulose; insulation sheathing; pallets, spools, and reels; pressboard or chipboard; roofing materials (such as roofing felt and asphalt shingles); dimensional lumber and shapes (clean); plywood and particle board; and oriented strand board. • A range of composite materials (that may require special handling): carpeting, carpet padding, gypsum wallboard (mainly gypsum with paper backing), electrical fixtures (metal, light tubes or bulbs, and ballasts), electrical switches, rubber hosing and conduits, tires (some with wheels), painted wood, pressure-treated wood, and wood composites. • In addition, furniture, electronic appliances, and personal belongings constitute a considerable portion of the demolition waste resulting from destruction by military activities.