1997 journal article
Water quality of first flush runoff from 20 industrial sites
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 69(3), 305–310.
A sampling program was conducted to assess the quality of first flush storm water runoff from 10 industrial groups typical of many businesses located in North Carolina. Analysis of samples collected during the first 30 min of runoff (first flush) indicated that zinc and copper were the most common of the eight metals measured in runoff from the 20 industrial sites monitored. Ten volatile organic, semivolatile organic, or pesticide compounds were found at eight different sites, with the most common being methylene chloride (three sites). Conventional pollutants such as nutrients and solids were measured at varying levels at every site, but were generally the highest where a significant amount of biological waste or exposed soil was present.