Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 6/2020 | Umweltbundesamt

Corona protection in schools: shock ventilation is best for healthy air

Regular short bursts of ventilation through wide open windows provide fresh air low in viruses Source: Wavebreakmedia / iStockphoto

The corona pandemic poses major challenges for schools and has prompted discussions on appropriate protective measures. In order to keep the air in the classrooms as virus-free as possible, the German Environment Agency advises airing the classrooms for about five minutes every 20 minutes and during all breaks with windows wide open. 

Mobile devices for air purification are less effective. They are generally not able to quickly and reliably rid the indoor air of viruses. Moreover, they merely circulate the air so that CO2 and humidity can accumulate over time in the classroom – this can lead to fatigue and concentration problems and promote mould. For this reason, the devices are only suitable as a supplement to ventilation if the windows in classrooms cannot be opened sufficiently and if supportive, simple supply and exhaust air systems that supply fresh air from outside cannot be considered. Mobile air purifiers should always be professionally assessed before deployment to ensure that they are suitable for the room in question. The air flow must be adequate, the device should not be too loud and it must not release unwanted pollutants.

Rooms in which there is no possibility for ventilation via windows at all and in which no ventilation system with a supply of outside air is used are not suitable for teaching from the point of view of indoor hygiene.

Climate-neutral living in everyday life

Depending on your lifestyle, your personal CO2 footprint can vary greatly. The most important areas to adjust are mobility, housing and nutrition. With the updated CO2 calculator you can calculate your personal footprint and find out how we can all reduce CO2 in our daily lives. read more (in German)

First wood-burning stove with the “Blue Angel”

Fireplaces radiate cosy warmth and use wood, a renewable raw material, but also emit a lot of harmful particulate matter. For the first time, a wood-burning stove has now been awarded the "Blue Angel" eco-label. Thanks to electronic control of the air supply, a catalytic converter and a dust separator, it emits significantly fewer particulates. read more (in German)

Public survey on safe chemicals management in Europe

Several tens of thousands of chemicals are on the market in the EU, many of which are also found in the blood or urine of citizens. Human biomonitoring (HBM) investigates the extent to which these chemicals end up in humans and how they get there in the first place. The EU's HBM4EU programme has launched a survey to better understand the needs, concerns and questions surrounding this issue. read more (in German)

German Environment Agency launches interactive nitrate map

Groundwater in Germany is in some cases too highly contaminated with nitrate. The data from the 2020 Nitrate Report have now been published in the interactive map service "German Environment Agency Nitrate Web App". Here users can research nitrate data for groundwater, rivers, lakes and marine waters. read more (in German)

Pollutants can enter water bodies from wastewater treatment plants

The use of products (such as cleaning products, wall paints) and objects (such as bicycles, cars, clothes, pans) in urban areas is linked to the discharge of a wide range of substances into wastewater and ultimately into water bodies. An inventory shows that many substances are retained in sewage treatment plants, while others pass through them or enter water bodies directly via the sewerage system. read more (in German)

German Environment Agency study on the further development of the waste prevention programme

The German Federal Waste Prevention Programme was adopted in 2013. The programme aimed to reduce the amount of waste. The programme has been critically assessed and will now be updated in 2020. To this end, a German Environment Agency study was conducted to identify priority waste streams and concepts and to develop proposals for measures to make waste prevention more effective in the future. read more (in German)

Legionella detection in evaporative cooling systems: new findings

In order to be able to better test the hazard potential of legionella from evaporative cooling systems, a substance mixture was developed which prevents biocide adulteration when sampling cooling water. In addition, procedures for measuring aerosols containing legionella in the discharged air and for testing the efficiency of droplet separators were developed on behalf of the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

Investments in climate adaptation also strengthen the economy

Investments in climate-friendly railways, roads, buildings and waterways, the promotion of environmental protection and nature conservation projects, as well as informing society about the health risks posed by extreme heat, not only help to counter the consequences of climate change, but also strengthen the German economy. These are the results of a research project commissioned by the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)

New UMID: chemicals in textiles

A multitude of chemicals are used in the production of textiles. What exactly are these critical chemicals and what are the legal regulations? The new issue of the magazine UMID addresses this question. Other topics: UV filters in sunscreen products, a nationwide pollen monitoring system, the EU COST network "European Burden of Disease" and the One-Health concept. read more (in German)

New paint shop saves greenhouse gasses, materials and space

52 per cent less waste and almost 98 tonnes less CO2 emissions per year – that is the outcome of a new type of paint shop for plastic parts supported by the Environmental Innovation Programme. read more (in German)

Reusable bottles with swing tops are cleaned in an environmentally friendly manner

Reusable bottles are good for the environment. And even more so if they are rinsed in an energy- and water-efficient manner. At the private brewery Moritz Fiege GmbH & Co. KG in Bochum, this is achieved with a new bottle washing machine promoted by the Environmental Innovation Programme. The swing top bottles are now being cleaned with over 10,000 cubic metres less water and 170 tonnes less CO2 emissions per year. read more (in German)

Good practical examples of compact, low-noise neighbourhoods

Living, working and leisure in the same neighbourhood – this is the recipe for short journeys and lively districts. The final report of a German Environment Agency research project uses eight good practice examples to show how noise conflicts in mixed-use urban neighbourhoods can be solved or avoided from the outset. The report gives recommendations for action for municipalities, the Federal Government and the Federal States. read more (in German)

Prioritise and implement action plans with noise hotspots

Noise action plans are designed to help municipalities reduce noise pollution for as many people as possible. In order to be able to prioritise measures and thus use financial resources efficiently, it is helpful to identify noise hotspots. A German Environment Agency project shows that the Noise Index can be used for this purpose. read more (in German)

The first Baltic Sea Action Plan celebrates its 13th anniversary

From July 2020 to June 2022 Germany holds the Presidency of the Helsinki Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM). One of the current challenges is to update the Baltic Sea Action Plan and step up implementation of the agreed measures. The first Baltic Sea Action Plan was adopted in Krakow on 15 November 2007. read more (in German)

News on green public procurement

What are the benefits of green procurement and how can it be implemented in practice? The German Environment Agency explains this in a new short film. The German Environment Agency has also updated its legal opinion on environmentally friendly public procurement and briefly summarised the changes the amendment to the Recycling Act brings to federal procurement agencies. read more (in German)

UBA recommendations for amendment of the Material Flow Balance Sheet Ordinance

One objective of the German sustainability strategy is to reduce nitrogen surpluses and phosphorus discharges to surface waters. The German Environment Agency makes proposals in a report for the amendment of the Material Flow Balance Ordinance 2021 to effectively limit nitrogen surpluses on farms and reduce phosphorus inputs from agricultural land. read more (in German)

Climate change impacts in the environmental impact assessment (EIA)

As a result of climate change, extreme weather events such as floods or droughts are becoming more frequent and sea levels are rising. As a result, environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for the approval of projects, such as new industrial plants, must now also take into account risks from natural events. A German Environment Agency research project provides recommendations for law enforcement authorities, project sponsors and expert offices. read more (in German)

Field mouse control threatens the European hamster

If wild mice spread through the fields, seeds and young plants can be damaged considerably. The mice are to be controlled by soil cultivation or poison. It is important here to avoid endangering the European hamster, which is currently faced with the threat of extinction. At present, this is not guaranteed by emergency provisions for poisons and their implementation. read more (in German)

With more than 180 measures, the Federal Government wants to make Germany climate resilient, protect it against hazards caused by floods, low water or disrupted infrastructure, adverse effects on agriculture, health hazards, security risks in industry and challenges in civil protection.