Integrated Remediation Strategies for Urban and Industrial Pollution: Insights and Applications in the Incel Project

This study investigates the environmental and public health implications of soil contamination in the Incel industrial zone, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. Recognized as a significant threat due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxic effects, these pollutants have been extensively analyzed in the Incel area, a former cellulose factory repurposed as an industrial complex. The comprehensive assessment revealed alarmingly high concentrations of PCBs, exceeding national and international safety thresholds, alongside PAHs and heavy metals, indicating a severe contamination level that poses risks to human health and the local ecosystem. The methodology encompassed quality assurance mechanisms, standard operation procedures, and environmental protection measures, with a detailed investigation conducted across identified hotspots. This investigation, aligned with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants' directives, underscores the urgent need for remediation strategies to address the identified contamination. The project highlights the necessity of international cooperation and regulation in tackling such environmental challenges, emphasizing the role of robust environmental governance in safeguarding public health and ecosystems. This endeavor represents a pioneering initiative in the Republic of Srpska, marking the first comprehensive effort to mitigate soil contamination by hazardous substances such as PCBs. Through this project, the Incel industrial zone serves as a critical case study, demonstrating the effective integration of scientific research with remediation practices to address industrial contamination legacy. The findings contribute significantly to the global discourse on industrial pollution management and environmental restoration, offering insights and models for future remediation projects.