In the wake Sweden’s development as an industrial nation a large number of contaminated areas have been left. Several of these areas are so contaminated that they pose a threat to the environment and human health. Contaminants are in the ground as well as in surface and groundwater. There is also significant spread of contaminants from some areas.
The presence of these contaminated areas poses a greater environmental threat in several parts of the country than current environmentally hazardous operations. In order to achieve a non-toxic environment it is important to localize all of these areas. They need to be investigated, assessed for risk, and treated in a suitable and long-term sustainable way. Go to the upper right to read more about remediation responsibilities in Sweden.
The number of contaminated areas in Sweden
We are relatively well informed about where in Sweden the potentially contaminated areas exist. There are approximately 80,000 sites in Sweden where there have been operations that may have caused contamination. We estimate that there are approximately 1,500 sites where contamination can be a major environmental and human health risk (risk class 1, very high risk). Further 22,000 sites belong to risk class 2, high risk for environment and human health. More information about risk classification and assessment can be found under "Classification and risk assessment" to the upper right.
Examples of projects:
Project BT Kemi, Svalöv Municipality. Industrial area with herbicide residuals
Project Svartsjöarna, Hultsfred Municipality. Mercury contaminated sediments
Project Lake Turingen, Nykvarn Municipality. Mercury contaminated sediments
The number of remediated areas
Contaminated areas are gradually being treated. The Swedish government has or is in the process of paying for the remediation of approximately 80 sites. These are sites where there is no longer a responsible party to bear the cost. Operators have carried the costs of remedial measures for more than 1500 sites. Investigations have been performed or are in process at approximately 500 sites by governmental means and at more than 3,000 sites with private means since 1999. Many of these will lead to decisions regarding treatment. More information about the financing of remediation can be found under "Financing of remediation" to the upper right.
National objectives regarding contaminated sites
The environmental objectives that we have established and are working to achieve in Sweden with regard to contaminated areas are:
- all contaminated areas that involve acute risks or pose an imminent threat to significant sources of water supply or valuable nature areas will be investigated and if necessary remedied by the end of the year 2010.
- during the period 2005 – 2010 measures will have been taken to such a large extent in the prioritized contaminated areas that the overall environmental problem can be on the whole solved by the year 2050.
More information:
Sweden's environmental objectives - deFacto 2007 (Swedish EPA report 1260)