As of 2008 industrial facilities must report their releases of pollutants to air, water and land as well as their transfer of waste and waste water in a Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). The PRTR replaces the European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER), and is to be established and operated following an international agreement drafted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Eur... read more
Soot particle filter: Federal Environment Ministry denies accusation it lied
According to a report by the ddp news agency, the Federal Environment Ministry lied to the German Bundestag’s environment committee and in answer to questions posed by the opposition about diesel soot particle filters, said a spokesperson at the Federal Environment Ministry. The federal ministry strongly denies the statement that it lied to the German Bundestag. The Federal Environment Ministry... read more
Dangerous legacy: Complete replacement of lead water pipes now
It has been known for years that lead is harmful to health, yet water pipes made of lead are still widespread in many older buildings. The result can be increased lead concentrations in drinking water, in some cases above the limit value of 10 microgrammes lead/litre of drinking water (µg/L) in effect as of 2013. There is evidence that roughly 3 percent of households with children aged 3-14 will... read more
Despite favourable atmospheric conditions: too much atmospheric particulate matter in 2007
The Federal Environment Agency’s preliminary evaluation of 415 measuring stations demonstrates that favourable atmospheric conditions in 2007 were a relevant factor that account for lower levels of particulate pollution than in previous years. Yet there is absolutely no reason to sound the all-clear, for 2007 also had incidences of particulate matter concentrations above the established cap. 34... read more
Waste water treatment facilities do their bit to protect climate
The more than 10,000 waste water treatment plants in Germany’s cities and municipalities consume a lot of energy, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the power consumption of all public utilities. These facilities consume nearly 4,400 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which corresponds to the generation capacity of a modern coal power plant, and they emit some 3 million tonnes of the greenh... read more
Exposure to traffic and aircraft noise are recipes for illness
Noise is not only a nuisance, it can also cause illness. People who are exposed to high levels of night-time aircraft noise often have higher blood pressure levels that those living in quieter residential areas. Even an increase of the night-time noise level by 10 decibels [dB(A)] in noise level ranges between 30 and 60 [dB(A)] raises the risk of hypertension in men and women by about 14 percent.... read more
Cooperative effort between Federal Network Agency and Federal Environment Agency
The Federal Network Agency and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) reached an agreement by which regulatory offences against the laws governing electrical and electronic equipment can be more effectively traced. ”This cooperation will lead to synergy effects among public administration organs, also contributing to lean government”, said UBA President Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge. ”Tax money can be us... read more
Emissions trading in Europe goes into next round
Some 530 million certificates were transferred in the German Emissions Trading Registry during the 2005-2007 trading period, amounting to a volume of more than one year’s budget of emissions allowances (approx. 500 million) exchanging hands in Germany. In other words, slightly more than one third of the certificates allocated were actually traded. The remaining certificates were applied directly... read more
