Lebanon Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment - UNEP

INDUSTRIAL AND URBAN CONTAMINATIONKhiam prisonKhiam is situated approximately 4 km from theIsraeli border, near Bint Jbeil. The prison, which waslocated on the outskirts of the village, was completelydestroyed during the conflict. UNEP visited thesite of the former prison during a follow-up visit toKhiam on 20 and 21 November 2006.Contaminated landApproximately twenty burnt car wrecks and a scrapmetal heap were found on site. Three soil samplesof the omnipresent red clay were taken outside theprison, close to the car park. A sample taken 8 – 15 mfrom the street and 0 – 5 cm below ground level,showed a lead concentration of 6,340 ppm (mg/kg).This is significantly above the average traffic-relatedlead levels of up to 115 ppm (measured 3 m from theroadside), indicated in the Government of Lebanon’sState of the Environment Report (2001).The source of the elevated lead concentration ismost likely to be the batteries of the burnt cars,but could also be the smoke plume generated bythe burning cars or the scrap metal deposited onthe site. The possible spill of lead-containing fuelgasoline was ruled out, as no gasoline smell wasdetected.Given that lead is well absorbed by the red clayfound at the site, the substrate would act as anatural buffer against migration, immobilizingthe lead and ensuring that the contaminationremains localized.RecommendationsAlthough the levels of lead found at the siteare significantly above the Dutch InterventionValue of 530 mg/kg, no remediation measuresare considered necessary due to the localized andstatic nature of the contamination.Burnt car batteries are likely to be the source of elevated lead concentrations at the site of the formerKhiam prison• United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme • United Nations Environment Programme •97