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.
Occupational safety
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.
Asbestos wave – asbestos in old buildings
The Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (IG BAU) warns of a new danger from asbestos in buildings. With the imminent major renovation wave for modernization, conversions and energy saving, an“asbestos wave” threatens to hit the construction industry in the coming decades. Construction workers and DIY enthusiasts will be exposed to major health risks if they inhale the asbestos fibers that are released.
Release of asbestos fibers from fiber cement boards
Fiber cement boards that are traded and installed today are generally considered to be harmless to health, as they are made of modern substitute materials and are free of carcinogenic asbestos fibers. However, for houses built from the mid-1960s to the 1990s, it is often suspected that the fiber cement panels installed still contain the asbestos fibers that were previously mixed in and are harmful to health. These can be released with increasing weathering during renovation or refurbishment.
Harmful asbestos in serpentinite rock
Serpentinite, a dark greenish natural stone with characteristic spots and whitish bands, is mainly used as a decorative stone. Serpentinite is still used today for flooring, cladding and other decorative products. However, serpentinite can release harmful asbestos fibers under certain conditions. These dangers exist above all when serpentinite is worked or broken .
Hazardous substances in clinics and medical practices
The incorrect handling of hazardous substances often poses a potential health risk to employees and patients in hospitals and in everyday medical practices. Especially in these areas where sick people are treated, comprehensive hygiene precautions are required. The disinfectants and cleaning agents used for this purpose, as well as medical products and substances for treatments, often contain chemicals that can cause irritation, skin burns, allergies and other health problems.
Indoor guide values – indoor air test with GSA measuring devices
Indoor guide values are an important measuring factor for assessing indoor air. The indoor climate is of crucial importance for people’s well-being and health. Indoor air tests with specially designed GSA measuring devices are therefore a suitable solution if pollutants are suspected in indoor spaces.
Information system for hazardous substances (IGS-public)
The Information System for Hazardous Substances (IGS-public), an online portal of the State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV), provides consumers with free information on substance characteristics and legislation on chemical and biological substances. The database with around 250,000 entries on substances contains important information on health protection and the handling of hazardous substances.
Measure toner dust with Gravikon PM4-2
Reports of health risks caused by toner dust from laser printers and copiers are worrying many consumers. The fine dust particles can get into the air we breathe and contaminate indoor air. People come into contact with toner dust from printers, copiers and multifunctional devices at the workplace in particular.
Inhalation of hazardous substances – Sampling with SG10-2 and PM4-2
The inhalation of hazardous substances at the workplace and in other areas can lead to damage to health and even serious cancer in the event of prolonged exposure. Clear occupational health and safety regulations are in place to protect health and prevent possible illnesses caused by inhaling hazardous substances.