Environmental Protection Technology/ Clearance of Harmful Substances

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2 Health our most precious asset: The far-reaching industrialisation of all our lives and production processes has resulted in profound changes in the building trade. Since the 1920s, and especially since the 1960s, numerous new and in particular synthetic products have been introduced in all spheres of construction. The sophisticated wishes and requirements for modern building techniques along with new methods of development and supply have not only forced changes in structural engineering itself but throughout the entire technology. This has not only affected newly constructed buildings but also buildings already existing, the structural fabric of which has been acted upon and the ecological balance of which these changes has substantially impaired. Conscious experience with these new building materials with regard to their consequences on health and architecture was not able to keep up with the fast pace of these changes. As a result, numerous architectural weak points were caused in new constructions and buildings already existing, a great number of in some cases highly toxic products having been installed. Legislative and legal reactions to products identifi ed as toxic were primarily considered from the economic aspect up until the 1990s, when the burden of proof was reversed, and it was legally required for products to be demonstrated to be ecologically harmless before they were introduced. Ever more frequently, dangerous illness can be put down to environmental toxins. News about carcinogenic substances in foodstuffs and articles of daily use are the order of the day. Even rooms in which we work and live are often contaminated with harmful substances. The objects affected, however, can continue to be used. When room air measurements and the analysis of samples of building materials show that the legally prescribed limits have been exceeded, measures have to be taken to clear harmful substances. The trend toward new products, however, has not only included the building trade but nearly all areas of life. There are often substantial levels of toxic substances in items that appear to be harmless, such as printed matter, lip sticks, furniture, music instruments and other household articles. N2

3 Toxins contained in building materials and their hazards: Asbestos Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, this was used in over 3,000 products, its carcinogenic effect having been identifi ed much too late. Mineral wool (KMF) According to present fi ndings, it might be possible to classify as carcinogenic mineral wool installed before 1 Jun Rehabilitation variations follow the legal stipulations of TRGS 521 [Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances]. It is now realised that rehabilitating old mineral wool (KMF) is a future potential where disposal is concerned. PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) These are contained especially in elastic joint sealants. Surrounding building materials may be secondarily contaminated. The body absorbs PCB through the skin and respiration. The consequence is damage to organs, especially the liver. PCP (pentachlorophenol) This is classed as carcinogenic and very toxic to people and the environment. PCP is contained primarily in wood preservatives. A fungicide and herbicide, it also gets into room air via textiles, carpets, wall paper, adhesives and paints. DDT (chlorophenotane) It was not only used as an insecticide, but rather is also found in paints and enamels. For people, taking in too much DDT results in disorders of the central nervous system, hyper-excitability, tremors, twitching and cramping of the muscles and eventually death. PAK (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) These are found in petroleum and thus building materials containing petroleum. Some of the polyaromatic hydrocarbons have a mutagenic and thus a carcinogenic effect on the human organism. Formaldehyde It evaporates out of chipboards and insulating foam. It has the effect of a tear gas on people s eyes and respiratory systems and at high concentrations is suspected of causing a rare form of nose cancer. Moulds Moulds are micro-organisms belonging to the fungus family. They are very adaptable and changeable organisms. Most moulds love warmth and moisture. Indoors they occur in saunas, basement boiler rooms, bathrooms, on moist walls as well as on inventory, furniture, books, pictures, fi les, carpets, etc. The injury to health they cause can generally be described as infectious diseases, allergies and intoxication illnesses. N3

4 Fig. 1 Allianz, Hanover Building owner: Allianz Hannover Gebäudeverwaltung Planning: Lohr and Wiese Architects, Isernhagen Construction management: Lohr and Wiese Architects, Isernhagen Scope of performance: Rehabilitation of fi re valves containing asbestos, Promabest partition walls, fl ange gaskets and ventilation ducts and cleaning of installations shafts Value of the contract: 0.92 million EUR N4

5 Fig. 2 Harlaching Hospital Building owner: City of Munich, Building Department H2 Planning: AFG Bauplanungsgesellschaft, Munich Construction management: AFG Bauplanungsgesellschaft, Munich Scope of performance: Rehabilitation of weakly bound asbestos products Value of the contract: 3.32 million EUR N5

6 Fig. 3 Administration building for Rheinlanddamm in Dortmund Building owner: RWI-Anlagengesellschaft Fonds 34 Adolf Meyer KG Planning: UCR., Essen Construction management: UCR., Essen Scope of performance: Rehabilitation of weakly bound asbestos products (spray-type asbestos) Value of the contract: 5.11 million EUR N6

7 Fig. 4 BMW Headquarters Munich, Four-Cylinder Museum BMW AG Building owner: BMW AG Planning: ASP Schweger Assoziierte Gesamtplanung GmbH Construction management: ASP Schweger Assoziierte Gesamtplanung GmbH Scope of performance: Removal of the building s core, rehabilitation of all the harmful substances, such as asbestos, PCB, KMF 6 PAK in the entire building complex Value of the contract: approx. 7.0 million EUR N7

8 Fig. 5 Elba Tunnel Hamburg, Tube 1 Building owner: Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Planning: AB.-Dr. A. Berg GmbH, Hamburg Construction management: AB.-Dr. A. Berg GmbH, Hamburg Scope of performance: Rehabilitation of sprayed asbestos on the tubbings behind the creviced walls Improvement of the fi re protection Value of the contract: approx million EUR N8