Miljöriskbedömning av kablar i mark vid militära anläggningar : fältundersökning

As the closing-down of military installations is proceeding in Sweden environmental issues have arisen. One is whether an underground cable system could constitute an environmental hazard when left in the ground. In this study leackage of heavy metals and organic compounds from two types of cables at two different installations has been examined, namely one PVC-cable of the type "EKKJ/FKKJ", and one paper-insulated, lead-sheeted cable, the "EPJ". The installations are situlated in Västerbotten County in northern Sweden and in the Stockholm Archipelago. The cables were laid down in the ground 30 to 50 years ago. Soil samples were taken down to 80 cm underneath the cables and analysed for lead, arsenic, copper, PAH, PCB and phthalates (plasticizers). Toxicological tests have also been performed on mouse cells. In conclusion, leackage of compounds from the cables to surrounding soil is limited. Levels of lead, copper, arsenic and PAH in the soil can only in exceptional cases be considered as very high or seriously high according to the Swedish Environmental Protection AGency. In these cases the pollutant is found in soil layers directly below the cable (0-2 cm). If the cables are to be left in the soil it is fo future improtance that their location and type are documented when new knowledge of toxicity and spreading of these chemical compounds is presented.