3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece
Management of a highly contaminated structure resulted from metallurgical
activity: The rare case of ‘Konofagos Building’
D. Kaliampakos and D. Damigos
School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
V. Protonotarios
Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
ABSTRACT
The paper deals with a highly contaminated
building, located adjacent to the city of Lavrion,
at the metallurgy complex of the former “Com-
pagnie Francaise des Mines du Laurium”. The
environmental and static problems of the struc-
ture, along with the legal constraints concerning
any intervention on the building create a very
complex problem. The paper presents the work
done so far regarding the evaluation of the cur-
rent condition and the building decontamination
approach suggested.
1. INTRODUCTION
The ‘Konofagos Building’ is located at the met-
allurgy complex of the former “Compagnie
Francaise des Mines du Laurium”, adjacent to
the city of Lavrion (about 55 km from the Ath-
ens metropolis). The broader area is character-
ized by a unique historical and industrial heri-
tage, since the mining operations, related to the
exploitation of the silver and lead ores, started
by the year 3000 BC. The metallurgical com-
pany was the most important industry in Greece
in the 19th century. After a continuous operation
for more than a century, all industrial activities
ceased permanently in the early 1990’s, leaving
behind a severe environmental problem (Kara-
chaliou and Kaliampakos, 2005).
In 1995, the National Technical University of
Athens (NTUA), recognizing the historical im-
portance of the site and its strong potential for
the regeneration of the entire area (which was
suffering from high unemployment at the time),
took the initiative to redevelop the site as a
188
Technological and Cultural Park.
The metallurgical complex occupies an area
of approximately 250,000 m² and it comprises
of 41 stone-built buildings, including smelting
facilities, a separation plant, storage areas, of-
fices, etc. The ‘Konofagos Building’ is one of
them. Its function was an innovative idea of the
late Prof. K. Konofagos for protecting the work-
ers and the environment from the highly con-
taminated air emissions of the metallurgical ac-
tivity. Actually, the construction of the
‘Konofagos Building’, almost 60 years ago, in a
period when environmental protection was not a
top priority, represents a remarkable hazardous
waste management practice. The emissions
were directed through pipes inside the building,
which functioned as an enormous bag house. In
this way, by decreasing the emission speed and
obstructing the air flow with numerous air fil-
ters, dust and particulate matter containing
heavy metals and toxic substances (i.e. arsenic,
lead, cadmium, etc.) were retained. Yet, huge
amounts of hazardous waste, rich in toxic met-
als and metalloids were deposited within the
building, creating an unusual pollution source
and probably one of the most contaminated
buildings worldwide. The situation is further
complicated by the severe static problems the
structure faces. Moreover, there are legal con-
straints, since the building is considered to be a
heritage asset of industrial architecture.
The paper presents the work done so far re-
garding the evaluation of the problem and the
suggested building decontamination approach,
in order to come up with an effective solution
from both an environmental and economical
point of view.
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece
Photograph 1: The ‘Konofagos buliding’.
2. BUILDING INVENTORY
2.1 Overview
The ‘Konofagos Building’ is a one-story stone
building with dimensions of 16 by 14 m in plan
and height of 18 m that consists of three sepa-
rate, almost identical, rooms (Photo 1).
In order to evaluate the extent of the problem
and to prepare a preliminary study on critical
actions needed, a scientific committee, consti-
tuted by academics and independent experts was
established by the National Technical Univer-
sity of Athens. An inspection of the interior of
the building for the presence of structural dam-
ages and of hazardous materials (i.e., fumes
dust, debris, wall plaster, etc.) was the first step
suggested.
2.2 Health and safety measures
The results of chemical analyses of a limited
number of dust samples collected from the
smelter fume tunnels indicated that the concen-
tration of inorganic arsenic compounds was
even up to 12%. Taking into consideration that
these particular substances could be extremely
dangerous (ATSDR, 2007) particular attention
was given to the personal protective measures
used by the ones who entered into the building.
Following the recommendations of the Hel-
lenic Institute for Occupational Health and
Safety (ELINYAE, 1997), the selected protec-
tive measures followed the strictest require-
189
Photograph 2: The protective equipment.
ments of the legislation. At the same time, the
safety equipment should have been comfortable
in order to facilitate the investigators. More spe-
cifically, the personal protective measures taken
were the following (Photo 2):
- One-usage fully encapsulated garments
marked as Category 3 (EN 465) - Types 3, 4,
5 and 6. They included features such as:
taped seams, respirator fit hood and storm
flap with double-sided tape over the zipper,
providing protection against the chemical
agents. For extra protection, the garments
were used over a coverall disposable suit
(Category 3 - Types 5 and 6).
- Full-face reusable respirators - Class 3 (EN
136), combined with ΑΒΕΚ2-Ρ3 (ΕΝ 141)
filter cartridges that offered sufficient protec-
tion against inhalable and inspirable con-
taminated dust.
- Nitrile gloves that were chemically and me-
chanically resistant (EN 374, 388, 420).
- PVC footwear.
An outdoor room was prepared and helpers
were used to ensure proper fitting of the protec-
tive measures before entering the building. Im-
mediately after leaving the contaminated area,
the investigators removed all the protective
equipment. The coveralls, filters, etc. were
placed to PVC drums, for special disposal, as
they were treated as hazardous waste as well.
2.3 Site description and sampling procedure
The investigation started from the southern
room of the building (Room 1). In this area,
about 120 bags containing a fine whitish dust
were found. The interior walls were covered by
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece
lime-cemented plaster. Behind the plaster a 0 -
10 cm-thick layer of dust was found. The floor
consisted of tamped earth and was covered by
dust and debris.
In the middle room (Room 2), the investiga-
tors found 20 steel drums of 200 L. The drums
contained a whitish material (in some drums this
material was bagged). The conditions of the
walls and the floor of Room 2 were similar to
those found in Room 1.
Finally, in the northern room (Room 3) the
survey revealed the existence of 60 steel drums
of 200 L capacity. These drums also contained
the whitish material that was discovered in the
drums of Room 2.
In total 11 samples were taken from the walls
(W1 and W2) and the floor of the rooms (F1,
F2, F3, F4), the bags (B1, B2 and B3) and the
drums (D1 and D2).
3. LABORATORY ANALYSES
Due to the lack of evidence for the nature of the
wastes found within the building, a qualitative -
semi-quantitative chemical analysis was per-
formed utilizing X-Ray Fluoresence (XRF).
Four samples were selected, one from the build-
ing wall, one from the bags, one from the drums
and one from the floor. The results of this
analysis indicated further measurements needed
for specific elements using quantitative meth-
ods. For the determination of metal and metal-
loid content (Pb, Cr, Ni, As, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) of
the collected samples, chemical analysis took
place according to prEN 13657 (2002). Element
concentrations were measured using Atomic
Absorption Spectrometry (AAS, Perkin Elmer
3300), Graphite Furnace (GFAA, Perkin Elmer
HGA 700) and Inductively Plasma Spectrome-
try (ICP-AES, Prodigy - Teledyne, Leeman
Labs).
Furthermore, leaching tests were performed
in specific samples for purposes of:
- characterization of the materials (inert, non
hazardous and hazardous) and
- compliance with the respective limits re-
ferred to the acceptance of waste in landfill
sites.
Given the objectives of the leaching tests, the
procedures and criteria described in the Deci-
sion 2003/33/EC of 19 December 2002 of the
190
Council were followed (EC, 2003). Towards
this direction the European Standard prEN
12457-2 (2002) was applied to study the leach-
ing properties of the samples. The concentra-
tions in the leachate were measured using
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS, Perkin
Elmer 3300), Graphite Furnace (GFAA, Perkin
Elmer HGA 700) and Inductively Plasma Spec-
trometry (ICP-AES, Prodigy - Teledyne, Lee-
man Labs). Sulphates determination took place
according to EN 196-2, par. 8 (1994) while pH
was measured using Mettler - Toledo pH Ana-
lyst. Finally, conductivity was measured by
Mettler - Toledo Conductivity Meter and
leachate TDS content was determined by Met-
tler - Toledo TDS Meter.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 XRF Analysis
The XRF analysis indicated that:
- The samples collected from the walls and the
floor are heavily polluted with As (4 - 8%),
Pb (50 - 80%), Cd (0.1 - 0.5%), Zn (2 -
10%), Fe (2 - 15%) and Ni (100 -1000 ppm).
- The drum content is mainly sulfur, with con-
centration ranging between 70 - 90% (ex-
pressed as SO2). Further, Zn (8 - 10%) and
Pb (0.3 - 1%) are also detected.
- The bag sample is clearly identified as lime,
since calcium concentration is above 95%.
However, it seems that the bag content has
been polluted by dust fumes, since As, Pb,
Cd and other elements were also discovered.
4.2 Chemical Analysis
Chemical analysis results are illustrated in Ta-
bles 1 and 2.
Based on the results of the metal and metal-
loid analyses of the samples, the following re-
marks can be made:
- Floor samples are extremely polluted, espe-
cially with respect to As, Pb, Cd, not with-
standing the less toxic Zn.
- Wall samples are also characterized as ex-
tremely polluted (especially W1) with respect
to As, Pb, Cd, possessing values similar to
those obtained from the floor.
- Significantly lower metal and metalloid con-
centrations were detected in the rest of the
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 191
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Table 1: Chemical analysis results for As, Pb, Fe and Zn the hazardous limit values, it may be consid-
(all values in ppm) ered as small, compared to the initial samples
Sample As2Ο3 PbΟ Fe2Ο3 ZnΟ concentration. That phenomenon is probably
F2 23952 238932 7185 22155 attributable to the creation of a ‘protective’
B2 6097 2244 8963 7469 Pb(OH)2 layer on the surface of the solid
W1 6060 2430 6727 8484 samples under water effect, which prohibits
D1 2 472 49697 67423 further Pb dilution.
D2 1431 942 2385 25044 - The extremely low leachate pH indicates the
B1 1130 1618 9249 9763 presence of metals and metalloids mainly in
F1 48933 752823 23212 46424 their sulphurous form (e.g PbS). That fact is
F3 28225 144723 291834 18649 confirmed from the relatively low sulphates
W2 54418 794314 4522 27410 concentrations measured in the leachate.
F4 54102 533547 151145 27732
B3 1071 910 93708 85006

Table 2: Chemical analysis results for Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr 5. QUANTITY OF POLLUTED MATERIALS
(all values in ppm). Based on the findings of the investigation and
Sample CuΟ CdΟ NiΟ Cr2Ο3 on the laboratory results, the total quantity of
F2 2401 2808 1 nd* the polluted materials found inside the
B2 170 nd nd nd ‘Konofagos Building” was estimated. Given the
W1 115 46 12 nd uncertainties involved in the estimations, the
D1 860 5 5 nd
analysis was carried out by means of quantita-
D2 369 8 nd nd
tive probability modeling. Towards this direc-
B1 77 21 3 nd
tion the Monte Carlo simulation method was
F1 3544 5269 49 nd
F3 2318 2555 228 70
applied (Vose, 1996) using a three-parameter
W2 1854 1595 nd nd
triangular distribution. The assumptions used
F4 2580 2386 122 23 Table 3: Leaching values according to pr-EN 12457-2
B3 261 40 18 nd (L/S=10 L/kg)
nd*: not detected Parameter F1 F2 F3
As (ppm) 1500 2500 1400
samples, collected from bags and drums. Cd (ppm) 3230 2760 1700
Nevertheless, As concentrations constantly Cu (ppm) 281 426 35,6
exceed at least 1000 ppm, which can cause Ni (ppm) 15.1 18.5 49.7
unacceptable health and environmental con- Pb (ppm) 141.1 2280 94.3
sequences. Zn (ppm) 14590 18520 7.5
SO42- (ppm) 26720 7240 28680
4.3 Leaching Tests TDS (ppm) 99400 123900 58300
pH 4.4 2.4 3.2
In Table 3, the leaching test results, implement- Conductivity (μS/cm) 19840 24800 11670
ing prEN 12457-2, are illustrated and in Table 4
the corresponding limit values are provided. Table 4: Leaching limit values according to pr-EN 12457-
Studying the leaching tests, the following 2 (L/S=10 L/kg - all values in ppm)
remarks can be made: Inert Non Haz-
Hazardous
Parameter limit ardous limit
- Samples F1 and F2 are characterized as haz- value value
limit value
ardous with respect to all examined parame-
As 0.5 2 25
ters. Especially As, Cd, Pb and Zn concentra- Cd 0.04 1 5
tions exceed the hazardous limit values by Cu 2 50 100
three orders of magnitude. Ni 0.4 10 40
- Sample F3 is also characterized as hazardous Pb 0.5 10 50
but presents greater stability under water ef- Zn 4 50 200
fect, compared to F1 and F2. SO42- 1000 20000 50000
- The quantity of Pb leached, even if exceeds TDS 4000 60000 100000
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 192
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Table 5: Assumptions of the probabilistic model Table 6: Monte Carlo simulation statistics (kg)
Most probable Bags Drums Floor Wall Total
Range
value Most
Sp. weight (tn/m3) - 1.5 probable 5.160 17.850 30.220 113.760 166.990
Quantity of bags 100-150 120 value
Bags weight (kg) 35-50 43 Mean 5.259 17.357 30.377 105.180 158.178
Quantity of drums - 85 Median 5.231 17.254 30.408 107.746 160.295
Drums volume (lt) - 200 St. dev. 569 3.120 4.087 40.703 41.092
Drums weight (kg) - 300 Min 3.649 9.280 20.255 3.370 54.822
Drums filling of (%) 40-100% 70% Max 7.191 25.467 40.078 196.179 251.469
Floor area (m2) - 134.31 Range 3.541 16.187 19.823 192.809 196.647
Floor dust and de- 0.10- Percentage 3% 11% 18% 68% 100%
0.15
bris thickness (m) 0.20
Wall area (m2) - 1.896 Table 7: Monte Carlo simulation percentiles (kg)
Wall dust and debris 0.00- Percen-
0.04 Bags Drums Floor Wall Total
thickness (m) 0.07 tiles
0% 3,649 9,280 20,255 3,370 54,822
are presented in Table 5. 10% 4,552 13,270 24,663 48,506 101,575
Latin Hypercube Sampling technique was 20% 4,768 14,640 26,703 68,658 121,252
used and 1,000 trials were accomplished by 30% 4,919 15,603 28,154 83,137 135,467
means of sophisticated software. The results of 40% 5,066 16,458 29,378 95,747 148,998
the analysis are summarized in Tables 6 and 7 50% 5,231 17,254 30,408 107,746 160,295
and are illustrated in Figure 1. According to the 60% 5,393 18,112 31,460 117,588 170,561
estimates, the polluted materials contained in 70% 5,553 18,966 32,661 129,047 181,426
the building range between 55 and 250 tons, 80% 5,754 20,130 34,125 142,322 195,724
with the most probable value being 167 tons. As 90% 5,988 21,534 35,838 158,664 211,263
100% 7,191 25,467 40,078 196,179 251,469
far as their distribution is concerned, about 14%
of the material is in bags and drums, 18% is de- value i.e. 25 mg/kg set by the Decision
posited on the floor and the rest 68% is attached 2003/33/EC, by several orders of magnitude.
to the interior surface of the walls of the build- This bad situation becomes worse considering
ing. the structural problems of the building (e.g. se-
rious cracks, leaning walls, etc.). For this rea-
6. DISCUSSION - RECOMMENDATIONS son, repairs aiming at stabilizing and strengthen-
ing the structure are considered necessary prior
The ‘Konofagos Building’ is probably one of to the entrance into the building.
the most polluted buildings in the world. The In order to tackle with the environmental
survey campaign and the laboratory analyses problem a number of actions are foreseen, as
proved that dust and debris found inside the follows:
building are characterized by unusually high
concentrations of heavy metals and toxic metal- - Overpacking of existing drums in special
loids, such as As, Pb, Cd and Zn. Just to high- hazardous waste containers.
light the extent of the problem, it is referred that - Placement of bags into 200 L hazardous
the reported lethal dose of arsenic ranges from waste drums.
120 to 200 mg in adults, while the building con- - Construction of a tensile enclosure that will
tains 6,400 up to 13,600 kg of arsenic assuming isolate the building in order to avoid any pol-
that there exist 160-170 tons of materials with lutant dispersion during decontamination
an average arsenic concentration (mainly in the works.
form of oxide) of 4-8%. Furthermore, the build- - Mechanical removal of plaster from walls by
ing poses significant threats to the ecosystem, as means of chipping hammer or mechanized
indicated by the results of the leaching tests. needle hammering.
The quantity of arsenic leached, is up to - Removal of loose wall material with vacuum
2000 mg/kg, exceeding the hazardous limit cleaner.
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece
Forecast: Total dust in the building
2.000 Trials
,024
,018
,012
,006
,000
54.822 103.984
Figure 1: Polluted material quantity forecast chart (kg).
- Removal of remaining adherent wall material
with vacuum blasting.
- Removal of soil from the floor of the build-
ing at a depth of 10 cm and backfilling of the
excavation with appropriate aggregates.
- Collection of debris (i.e. abrasive media, etc.)
and placement into 200 L hazardous waste
drums.
- Waterproofing of the building by means of
nanomaterials.
The total cost of the above decontamination
works is estimated at 1 million euros. The haz-
ardous waste drums will be transferred to an ap-
propriate storage area inside the underground
waste disposal facility that is being constructed
at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park.
Actually, the existence of this facility adjacent
to the building provides the opportunity to deal
permanently with the problem, given that in any
other case the cost would be extremely high.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The research was funded by the Greek Ministry
of Development under the 3rd Community
Framework Programme 2000-2006, Operational
Programme “Competitiveness”. The authors
would like also to thank Prof. I. Koumantakis,
Prof. S. Tsoukantas, Prof. D. Papaioannou, Prof.
T. Fotiou and Assoc. Prof. K. Spyrakos, mem-
bers of the Scientific Committee for the
‘Konofagos Building’, Assist. Prof. M. Kafritsa,
Dr. G. Skouras, Mr. A. Mavropoulos and Ms. D.
Karachaliou, Study Team members and Ms. M.
Panagiotou, Director of the NTUA Technical
193
Frequency Chart 2.000 Displayed
47
35,25
23,5
11,75
0
153.146 202.307 251.469
Services Division for their contribution.
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