The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of hydrocarbon pollutants on industrial floors lacking waterproofing protection and to understand the implications of these pollutants on soil contamination. Industrial floors are frequently exposed to various contaminants, such as oils and greases from diverse sources. In this investigation, a metalworking laboratory that had been operational for 42 years underwent the application of polyurethane-based paint on its concrete floor, resulting in the appearance of oil bubbles on the painted surface. Consequently, the primary objective of this research was to assess the degree of hydrocarbon contamination on the floor to comprehend the encountered issue. The conducted test, following the SM 5520E standard for hydrocarbon detection, revealed that in areas prone to pathological manifestations, the concentration of hydrocarbons increased by 74%, 45%, and 14% with each layer of protected concrete, compared to the equivalent layer in the control region. Furthermore, there was a notable concentration of hydrocarbons in the soil beneath the floor, registering a 51% increase compared to the control region and a substantial 91% increase compared to the adjacent concrete region.

Paper published in International Journal of Advances in Engineering & Technology (IJAET), Volume 16 Issue 6, pp. 673-678, December 2023. Available online at: https://www.ijaet.org/media/16I78-IJAET1606399_v16_i6_pp673-678.pdf