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Karlsruhe/Longuich. Together, SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS and Palas® help to control possible impairments caused by fine dust from construction, demolition or dismantling work. This enables more effective and (energy-) efficient dust prevention. To improve occupational safety and immission protection, SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS works closely with planning offices and the companies which carrying out the work on site, carries out local measurements using measuring technology from Palas® and takes care of the necessary documentation.
An analysis that took place as part of the "London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) 2019" shows how relevant construction sites can be with regard to particulate matter pollution in a city: 30% of the fine dust fraction PM10 originates from construction sites. In addition, depending on the material moved or processed, hazardous substances can be distributed over large areas.
Fine dust as a health-relevant factor in the outside air became a bigger focus than ever before: Therefore numerous cities and communities pay attention to local-temporal emission sources in addition to existing air pollution control measures, in particular to protect the justified interests of residents by prescribing project-specific air quality monitoring in the course of the approval procedure. However, this is often done by reference to the Bergerhoff method, which describes the analysis of collected dust precipitation after a defined period of time. Even though this is useful for chemical content analysis, it is not suitable for optimizing processes on the construction site in terms of dust prevention or even for providing authorities and residents with relevant measurement data and further information on actual fine dust pollution in a timely manner.
Particularly in the case of demolition projects in inner-city areas or large-scale dismantling projects with contaminated building materials and soils, it is essential to keep a constant eye on the effectiveness of the dust-preventing or dust-reducing measures implemented and to ensure the ability of the construction site operator to respond. Not least for reasons of energy efficiency, dust-reducing measures should be applied at the same time as needed - this is also made possible by continuous measurements in real time. Wolfgang Schreier, Division Manager NonLab in SGS's Industries & Environment business unit, points out the additional customer benefits: "With outdoor air measurements as an addition to our range of services, which already includes soil and water analysis, we will be offering everything from a single source in future. This considerably simplifies the processes for the project partners in their day-to-day business".
At the same time, it is often useful to share current measured values with residents via a special project website, for example. This is easy to implement through the cloud-based data management of Palas® and contributes to improved communication between all stakeholders involved in a construction project. "Owners, investors and construction site operators should definitely evaluate the holistic concept, which addresses the factors of occupational health and safety, immission protection, energy efficiency and external communication, from an ESG perspective as well and identify associated opportunities," says Claudio Heitkamp, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Palas®, summarizing the approach.
About Palas®
Palas GmbH is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-precision instruments for the generation, measurement and characterization of particles in the air. With numerous active patents, Palas® develops technologically leading and certified fine dust and nanoparticle measuring instruments, aerosol spectrometers, generators and sensors as well as associated systems and software solutions. Palas® was founded in 1983 and employs about 100 people at its headquarters in Karlsruhe.
About SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS
SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS is part of the SGS Group, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of more than 2,700 offices and laboratories worldwide. SGS ensures that products and services comply with global standards and local regulations. Thanks to its worldwide network of experts with local knowledge combined with unparalleled experience and expertise in practical every sector, SGS's services cover the entire supply chain from raw materials to end use.
Press Contact:
Palas GmbH
Sarah Kunath
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 721 96213 132
E-Mail: sarah.kunath@palas.de
Ettlingen/Karlsruhe, January 9th, 2023 +++ Making the invisible visible - under this motto, the city of Ettlingen, together with Stadtwerke Ettlingen and Palas GmbH from Karlsruhe, have started a pilot project to measure the current air quality values in the city at various locations and make the collected data available on the municipal homepage.
Five fine dust measuring devices have recently been installed at the city train station, at the gas station at Seehof, on the tower of Ettlingen's city hall, and on the roof of Ettlingen's public utility company. More are to follow in the city area and individual districts. The aim is to record the air quality at the various locations in order to obtain a better picture of possible health risks. With this project, the city of Ettlingen is taking an important step towards creating and maintaining a healthy and sustainable living environment. The collected particulate matter data is made available to the citizens on the website of the city of Ettlingen. Thus, all citizens of Ettlingen have the opportunity to reliably inform themselves about the actual air quality and, if necessary - as far as possible - to adjust their daily routine accordingly. They can be accessed at the following link: https://www.ettlingen.de/umweltsensoren .
Responsible for the project of the city of Ettlingen is head of the main office and digitalization officer Andreas Kraut with his interdepartmental project team. Stadtwerke Ettlingen GmbH as the city's infrastructure service provider with Florian Kraft took over the installation of the fine dust measuring devices from the AQ Guard Smart series . The latest member of the Palas® product family is a compact, cloud-enabled and MCERTS certified measuring device for determining air quality. In addition to the usual PM2.5 and PM10 particulate matter values, the device also displays temperature, humidity and pressure as well as the pollutant gases SO2, NO2, CO and O3 at sensitive, high-traffic locations.
In addition, Palas® is testing the integration of the environmental sensors into the city's existing, area-wide LoRaWAN network (Long Range Wide Area Network), because this transmission technology is increasingly used by municipalities in particular.
Easy implementation and integration for municipalities, precise and up-to-date measurement data for all
All devices installed in Ettlingen transmit data directly to Palas GmbH's cloud-based environmental measurement system "MyAtmosphere". In the future, the city of Ettlingen will receive the data via this system without detours and up-to-date on its website.
The optical particle analysis used is also used for the nationwide official measurement of fine dust. This technology determines the particulate matter values immediately without post-evaluation and correction, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
The city of Ettlingen is thus consistently pursuing its path towards further digitization and transparency towards its citizens - another building block in its digitization strategy.
Mayor Johannes Arnold says: "We are pleased that we were able to install these devices in Ettlingen together with the company Palas and we are excited about the long-term evaluations." Andreas Kraut adds, "It is exciting to observe how the air quality changes over the course of the day - depending on the traffic situation, time of year, weather situation, temperature, etc."
Air pollution - underestimated risk
"With our technology, the city of Ettlingen is able to give its population more transparency and more safety. Air pollution is unfortunately not taken seriously enough yet it has a great impact on us and our environment" summarizes Henrik Hof, product manager of Palas GmbH.
Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk in Europe. Every year, more than seven million people die as a result of air pollution, according to the WHO. 96% of the urban population was exposed to particulate matter concentrations above the new World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 5 µg/m³ (PM2.5) in 2021.
The European Commission has set a 2030 target to reduce premature deaths from particulate matter by at least 55% compared to 2005. To this end, the EU's air quality directives are being revised and adapted to the WHO recommendations.
The Palas® solution - precision is what counts
Reliable measurement accuracy is therefore even more important than before in order to take appropriate measures to protect people and the environment. Palas® measuring instruments offer the necessary precision and reliability here. Using state-of-the-art optical measurement technology that measures optical light scattering from individual particles, Palas® measuring instruments count every single particle in the air. This guarantees precise measurement results and reliable data even at very low particle concentrations.
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Picture 1: AQ Guard Smart System: Compact, precise, certified
Picture 2: AQ Guard Smart System
++ Karlsruhe, 11/25/2022. The Fidas® Smart System developed by Palas GmbH in Karlsruhe is now fully EN 16450 certified. It received approval for PM10 from TÜV Rheinland on 11/14/2022. Approval for PM2.5 was already granted in April 2022, making Fidas® Smart 100 the world's smallest fine dust monitor for regulatory measurements to determine ambient air quality.
For the Fidas® Smart system, the proven and modern technology of the Fidas® 200, which is also EN 16450 certified, has been further developed. Both devices use the principle of optical light scattering measurements as well as an extended signal analysis for the simultaneous and precise determination of PM10 and PM2.5. Like all Palas® fine dust measuring devices, they can be calibrated directly and easily by the operator on site.
With a control unit dimension of 240 - 320 - 190 mm, the measuring device is as large as a shoebox and can be conveniently used even in tight spaces and difficult installation conditions. An already integrated WLAN and LTE functionality facilitates wireless installation and enables fast deployment.
In addition to its compactness, the Fidas® Smart System features even lower power consumption compared to the Fidas® System. In 24/7 operation, this saves the user several thousand euros per year compared to devices from other manufacturers. The system is available in different configurations and can therefore be adapted to budgetary requirements. The Fidas® Smart system provides data on the sources of particulate matter and thus supports the assessment of emissions from road traffic or other carbon-based sources. This allows, for example, traffic control for air pollution control to be more efficient.
Fidas® Smart 100 is optionally available with a sampling tube for installation in measurement containers.
Like the Fidas® System, the Fidas® Smart System can also be connected to the cloud-based data platform MyAtmosphere.net. This enables continuous, intuitive recording and visualization of all measured values from different stations in real time.
European standard for continuous fine dust measurement
In accordance with the EN 16450 standard, the system has proven its reliability and equivalence to the gravimetric reference in laboratory tests as well as in a wide range of field tests at different times of the year.
The compactness of the device enables authorities, environmental associations, and industry to set up measuring points very easily, to expand the number of measuring points or to use it for hotspots in a variable and legally compliant manner without the need for an elaborate measuring infrastructure.
Both the WHO and the EU have emphatically demanded a further tightening of the limit values as well as an increase in the number of measuring points. With the Fidas® Smart System, Palas® offers tailor-made and efficient solutions for the future challenges to the official measuring systems.
Press contact:
Palas GmbH
Sarah Kunath
Corporate Communication
Phone: +49 721 96213132
E-Mail: Sarah.Kunath@palas.de
Picture 1: Precise and compact: Fidas® Smart System
Picture 2: Fidas® Smart 100 in Stockholm
Picture 3: A measuring device for all kind of conditions
Dass die Belastung der Atemluft durch Holzofen-Rauchgase auch zu Umwelt- und Gesundheitsproblemen führen kann, wird in letzter Zeit immer häufiger in der Presse diskutiert. Professor Dittler vom KIT ist einer der Wissenschaftler, der sich mit diesem Themenkomplex befasst.
Was ist an Holzofen-Rauchgasen problematisch?
Durch die Verbrennung von Holz werden feste und gasförmige Schadstoffe in unterschiedlicher Konzentration frei: Feinstaub, dazu gehört krebserregender Ruß, und Schadgase wie CO, Benzol und Formaldehyd. Oftmals wird nicht nur einfach Holz verbrannt, auch Braunkohlebriketts, lackierte Möbel oder Abfall werden zum Heizen verwendet. Dadurch gelangen weitere Schadstoffe in die Luft, beispielsweise Benzol, Furane, Dioxine und Blausäure (Holzofenmessungen (verenum.ch) ). Gerade kleine Feinstaubpartikel im Größenbereich kleiner als 2,5 Mikrometer (PM2.5) haben ganz konkrete gesundheitliche Auswirkungen. Das Einatmen größerer Menge kann zu oxidativem Stress führen und Erkrankungen zum Beispiel der Lunge oder des Herz-Kreislauf-Systems zur Folge haben ( Leo_Stellungnahme_SaubereLuft_2019_Web_03.pdf (leopoldina.org )). Die FAZ spricht hier sogar vom „lautlosen Killer“ ( https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wissen/heizen-mit-holz-ist-weder-umweltfreundlich-noch-nachhaltig-18337589.html ).
Lautlos nicht nur, weil man Feinstaub in der Regel nicht sieht oder hört, sondern weil er auch nicht ausreichend gemessen wird – zu mindestens nicht in ländlichen Gebieten und kleineren Städten. In größeren Städten findet die Thematik durch Verkehr und Baustellen mehr Beachtung. Hier werden immer größere Messnetze aufgebaut.
In kleineren Städten und ländlichen Gegenden dagegen gibt es viel zu wenig
offizielle Messstationen, die dann auch flächendeckend, kontinuierlich im
relevanten Messbereich Daten erfassen. Kontinuierlich bedeutet, dass die
Belastung immer, jeden Tag und nicht nur als Jahresdurchschnittswert erfasst
wird. In Wohngebieten wird die Qualität der Atemluft nur unzureichend erfasst.
Daher hat Professor Dittler im Rahmen eines Forschungsvorhabens selbst 2020 ein
Messgerät in Stutensee bei Karlsruhe aufgestellt. Seitdem macht er immer wieder
auf das Thema aufmerksam. Das Ergebnis: Werden in den Abend- und Nachstunden
Komfortöfen betrieben, ist die Belastung der Atemluft mit lungengängigem
Feinstaub im Stundenmittel um ein Mehrfaches höher als am Stuttgarter
Neckartor.
Mehr noch: Durch den Betrieb eines Holzofens war an einem Abend die öffentliche Sicherheit in einem Wohngebiet in Stutensee konkret gefährdet. Holzofen-Rauchgase drangen – durch direkte Zuleitung auf die Häuser– über technische Lüftungssysteme in mehrere Wohngebäude ein. Mehrere Menschen berichteten im unmittelbaren Zusammenhang mit dem Ereignis von Kopfschmerzen und Übelkeit, Symptomen einer leichten Rauchgasvergiftung.
Doch warum gibt es keine ausreichenden Informationen für Anwohner?
Warum werden keine Messtationen aufgebaut? Nun kann man natürlich sagen: Die Thematik mit den Holzöfen, die ist noch nicht so bekannt. Die Gemeinden und Kommunen wissen nicht, wie sie Feinstaub richtig messen können und was dabei wichtig ist. Und die richtigen Messgeräte sind schwierig zu finden.
Doch das stimmt nicht. Im Februar dieses Jahres haben wir die betroffene Stadt Stutensee angeschrieben, mit dem Angebot der Unterstützung und zur weiteren Klärung. Unsere Geräte sind QAL1 zertifiziert und werden seit Jahren bei behördlichen Messungen eingesetzt. Messwerte könnten über eine Datenplattform digital allen Beteiligten bereitgestellt werden.
Doch auf unser Schreiben erhielten wir keine Antwort.Daher haben wir uns telefonisch an die Stadt Stutensee gewendet.Erst nach mehreren Telefonaten und auf unser Drängen reagierten die Verantwortlichen der Stadt Stutensee. Die Aussage: „Man sehe keine Notwendigkeit und wolle nicht messen.“ Die Stadt Stutensee scheint sich hier ihrer Verantwortung für die Gewährleistung der öffentlichen Sicherheit zu entziehen. Dass diese wohl durch Holzofen-Rauchgase in dem entsprechenden Wohngebiet konkret gefährdet ist, war in der FAZ ( https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wissen/heizen-mit-holz-ist-weder-umweltfreundlich-noch-nachhaltig-18337589.html ) und den BNN ( Stutenseer Wissenschaftler sieht Gefahr in Holzöfen (bnn.de) ) zu lesen. Würde man die Problematik ernst nehmen, dann könnte man durch weitere Messungen das Problemfeld erkennen und Lösungen angehen, dies scheint jedoch nicht gewollt zu sein.
At the beginning of 2022, the Stockholm Port Authority decided to investigate emissions from cruise ships docked at Stadsgården. The ships are not connected to the power grid during their stay of at least 24 hours and have to generate their own electricity via diesel generators on board. The compact measuring device for determining ambient air quality Fidas® Smart 100 from Palas GmbH has already been installed at the port of Stockholm, more to follow.
Cruise ships produce large quantities of air pollutants. But how great is the danger for people who live or work near harbors and ports? To answer this question, the City of Stockholm is using measuring devices from Palas® and will be carrying out measurements between May and September - with the option of an extension. Only with precise measurement data, invisible threats in the air can be made visible. And also they can be used to make reliable statements about the air quality on site and – if necessary – to take appropriate countermeasures.
The challenge now is to accurately record the tracks of the cruise ships, because factors such as weather, wind direction and the quantity or location of the ships naturally also play an important role here. The City of Stockholm has detailed schedules for all ships coming in and can use the measurement data to closely monitor and analyze the pollution in the air.
Fidas® Smart 100 continuously and reliably analyzes airborne particulate matter in the size range 0.175 - 20 μm and is released and approved by TÜV for PM2.5 for official measurements. Fidas® Smart 100 thus provides comprehensive and accurate information on fine dust particles, which is only possible in this form with a counting single particle measurement method.
The city of Stockholm and the port authority hope to get clear results from this measurement data to see how serious the air pollution is, that are made from cruise ship. This is the only way to make valid statements about possible effects on people and the environment. The measurement phase - and thus initial evaluations - are scheduled to run until September, with an option to extend.
Every year, there are approximately 300 ship arrivals in Stockholm with more than 500,000 passengers. There are a total of four cruise port terminals in Stockholm. The berth Stadsgården is located about 1 km south of the old town Gamla Stan and ideal for large cruise ships.
