There is currently no comprehensive ban on asbestos worldwide. Individual countries, mainly in Northern Europe, first introduced asbestos bans in the 1980s. The mining, processing and use of products containing asbestos continues to be a serious problem for human health and the environment.
Measuring devices
Types of asbestos – properties and use
Many older buildings often still contain harmful asbestos fibers in the building materials. Soil and air can also be contaminated with these harmful fibers. The term asbestos covers various types of asbestos, which can differ in terms of their properties and previous use.
Asbestos production declining worldwide
According to statistics from the Minerals Yearbooks of the United States Geological Survey from 1980 to 2022 , the proportion of asbestos production by country has changed significantly worldwide in recent decades. While significant quantities were still being mined in 22 countries around 1980, there are only four main producers in 2022.
Stove Ordinance 2024 – new limit values from 2025
The requirements for the operation of wood-burning stoves and other small combustion appliances for domestic use are being tightened as a result of the amendment to the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). By December 31, 2024, these appliances will have to meet the new limit values for emissions and their minimum efficiency. For some owners of wood-burning stoves, this means that they will either have to shut them down or retrofit them by the beginning of 2025. Modern appliances are generally not affected by the new requirements of the 2024 stove regulations as they meet the standards.
Furnishing children’s rooms with low levels of harmful substances
Children spend most of their time in their room, where they sleep, play or retreat to study. Their parents are often unaware of how heavily contaminated with pollutants these rooms can be. They can come from floors, furniture, textiles or plastic toys, for example. Pollutants in children’s rooms can affect their health and development.
Tightening of asbestos limits – health protection
On October 23, 2023, the Council of the European Union approved a new EU directive to prevent and improve the health protection of workers from possible exposure to asbestos and other pollutants at the workplace. The new regulations also include new rules such as stricter asbestos limit values and modern measurement techniques to protect and the prevention of asbestos hazards.
Wood preservatives with PCP and lindane
Wood preservatives containing the hazardous substances PCP and lindane were mainly used in the 1960s and 1970s to protect roof beams and even wooden toys. These are highly volatile pollutants (SVOCs) that can continue to outgas indoors for decades and accumulate in house dust, causing health problems and even cancer.
Adhesives containing PAHs in old parquet floors
Pollutants from PAHs-containingadhesives in parquet flooring can be released into the indoor air through wear and tear or during parquet work and settle in house dust. PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are carcinogenic pollutants that are particularly dangerous to health. Parquet floors are considered to be allergy-friendly, as they are generally easy to clean and do not absorb dust. New parquet floors are no longer laid with adhesives containing PAHs, but with substitutes that are harmless to health.
Air pollutants in small combustion plants
Small combustion plants
Small combustion plants are usually operated with fossil fuels such as natural gas, heating oil, coal or wood . They are designed for private use and small businesses.
According to the 1st BImSchV (Ordinance on Small and Medium-Sized Combustion Plants), all plants with a rated thermal input of less than 1000 kW are considered small combustion plants.
Measuring mold after renovations
Mold is often found after renovation work and can pose a health risk. Depending on the mold infestation and health sensitivity, allergic reactions or infections can be triggered. The formation should therefore be treated professionally without delay. In order to localize the spread and concentration, it is advisable to take samples with the GSA measuring devices SG5200 to measure the mould.