Air pollutants: VDMA guide updated

"The VDMA guide 'Detecting air pollutants - fresh air at the workplace' illustrates the most important principles and conditions for the detection of hazardous substance emissions from manufacturing processes. Due to the nature of the process, it is often not possible to avoid these emissions," says Manfred Könning, chairman of the VDMA subcommittee "Detection of Air Pollutants", which played a leading role in the revision of the publication. Therefore, the guide addresses possible problems and provides information on sensible solutions. "The publication offers the user easily understandable information without going into the subject matter too scientifically," explains Könning. 

Compared to the previous version, the new guide offers the following changes: 
 

• The notes on the Hazardous Substances Ordinance as the legal background for extraction at the point of origin are updated and the specifications for the priority of protective measures are explained.
• The fluidic basics take up more space, with improved illustrations and more extensive explanations.
• The importance of the capture rate for the overall efficiency of an extraction system is explained in more detail.
• New are explanations on the relationship between air flow and required negative pressure as well as notes on design. The same applies to the topics of commissioning, operation and periodic inspections.
• Possible release and dispersion processes as well as their particularities are explained.
• In addition to closed, semi-open and open designs, direct extraction at the machine is also explained. 
• The brochure is rounded off by examples of implemented recording devices of the participating companies.

The current version of the guide "Detection of air pollutants - fresh air at the workplace" is available as a print version in German and can be requested from the Air Pollution Control Department. The download version is available at https://www.vdma.org/luftreinhaltung available for download. An English online version of the guide will be published in the foreseeable future.