pollution – Envirochem Blog

We’re Expanding Our Occupational Hygiene Department!

Posted on July 1, 2021 at 2:59 pm.

Here at Envirochem, we’re expanding our Occupational Hygiene Department and are pleased to welcome our new Head of Department Sam, along with a new Van to add to the fleet.

Within the department we can offer a wide range of sampling/analysis and consultation, including but not limited to:

Noise and Vibration Surveys – With our wide range of instrumentation we can gather analytical data concerning the impact of noise and vibration for demolition sites.

UKAS accredited sampling & analysis of total inhalable & respirable dusts – We are happy to undertake site visits, sampling and analysis, to meet the needs of our clients.

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) testing – (LEV) checks help control the release of hazardous airborne substances from a process into the workplace environment.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) testing – The main aim of VOC analysis is to identify the types of VOCs present and their concentrations in work place environment.

Emissions testing for stack monitoring to technical guidance notes M1 and M2.

Air quality surveys.

For more information or to contact us please fill out the form below or call on 01329 287 777;

How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

Posted on March 6, 2018 at 3:08 pm.

Written by Envirochem

How dust sampling can save construction companies from fines?

Dust is an unavoidable part of construction and demolition. However, processes can be put in place to reduce the amount of dust contamination and risk to the surrounding environment. Close and real-time dust sampling plays an important role in this.

Here’s how:

Dust sampling clears a construction company from wrong doing

Dust sampling proved critical for a construction company working at a hospital in Inverness[http://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/24142/contractor-cleared-causing-dust-contamination-inverness-hospital/] recently. A number of operations at the hospital had to be postponed after dust was found in the operating theatres.

Initially it was thought the dust was coming from building work happening in the hospital but testing revealed that this was not the direct source, clearing the construction company of causing the contamination and having to pay a hefty penalty.

Dust sample testing

This case study demonstrates how important it is to have real-time monitoring of dust at construction sites, both for the assurance of the client and contractor. There are a couple of different types of monitoring available:

Static monitors – these can be placed almost anywhere, and can collect physical samples of airborne dust particles. This data can be used to see how much dust individual site operatives are exposed to, or be analysed to determine chemical composition of airborne particles.
Settleable dust sampling – static samplers collect airborne dust and measure how much has gathered over a time period. Samples can also be analysed to determine their chemical composition.

At Environchem we have decades of experience in providing both types of dust sampling and monitoring to contractors. For information on our services please fill out the contact form below or call us on 01329 287 777.

Air Quality

Posted on January 29, 2018 at 1:57 pm.

Written by Envirochem

A documentary was recently aired on the BBC regarding air quality in urban areas. The aim of the program was to reduce air pollution levels on one day on a highly polluted street in Birmingham. This was completed through a number of initiatives from reducing car usage and even the implementation of green infrastructure.

To test these changes a number of air quality measurements were taken before and during this event showing some brilliant results.

We have been undertaking some sampling to assess the air quality in a house next to a busy road to see how often and by how much limits are being exceeded. This primarily requires the monitoring of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are some of the most harmful pollutants and linked to the use of diesel cars. This is an area where more work and monitoring is required with 40,000 deaths link to poor air quality in the UK each year.

Watch the program here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m2djj

For information on our services please fill out the form below or call us on 01329 287 777

Construction sites contributing towards air pollution in cities

Posted on January 26, 2018 at 3:04 pm.

Written by Envirochem

Construction sites contributing towards air pollution in cities

It is now well understood and recognised that vehicles are a major source of air pollution in our cities. Diesels are identified as the biggest culprits with emissions of NOx (nitrogen oxides) and PM (particulate matter). The poor air quality in the UK is linked to 40,000 deaths every year.

However, recent and detailed air quality studies in the UK have identified that constructions sites are responsible for a significant portion of the total air pollution. They make up 7.5% of NOx emissions, 8% of PM10 and 14.5% of PM2.5 which is the most harmful.

This article suggests that construction sites should start treating emissions in a similar way to asbestos with tighter controls and regulation.

Envirochem offer a range of air quality surveys, for more information please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

UK Emissions Interactive Map

Posted on January 18, 2018 at 4:28 pm.

Written by Envirochem

UK Emissions Interactive Map

Check out this interactive emissions map. You can check out what emissions are likely to be high in your area from a variety of different pollutants from NOX, PM and a variety of others.

We are capable of sampling or monitoring most of these emissions, so if you are worried that you are being exposed to high levels of pollution or you need to check that the emissions you are releasing are within the limits contact us.

Check out the interactive map here: http://naei.beis.gov.uk/data/gis-mapping

For information on all our services please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

Wood Burning Stove Pollution in London

Posted on January 15, 2018 at 11:47 am.

Written by Envirochem

Wood burning stoves could be banned in our capital in certain highly polluted areas. The burning of wood releases fine particles that are harmful to human health. It is noted that some exceptions may be made for the more modern and efficient wood burning stoves with the main focus on reducing inefficient open fires.

This is part of a wider plan to improve air quality in London through limiting emissions from boats, cars, diesel powered machinery from building sites and from construction work itself.

Here at Enviorchem, we can carry out Emissions testing and Air quality surveys;

For more information please give us a call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

Construction pollution

Posted on January 3, 2018 at 9:01 am.

Written by Envirochem

A construction company based in Leeds was fined £120,000 for illegally discharging contaminated waters into a stream back in November. Polluted water was identified as flowing out the site entrance and silt contaminated waters from excavation works into the local watercourse. Impacts of these discharges were identified up to three kilometres downstream.

Read more about the construction pollution here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/harron-homes-fined-120000-over-construction-pollution

If you are worried that your construction works or constructions works you know of are polluting the local environment, let us help you in sampling and analysis to identify any issues and reduce the impact as quickly as possible.

For more information or enquires please call on 01329 287 777 or fill out the form below;

Air Pollution in London – What can we do?

Posted on March 6, 2017 at 9:59 am.

Written by Envirochem

It has been noted in recent news that London has exceeded its annual air pollution limit within recent years and millions of habitants are suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma due to exposure to particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants. Some areas of London are the most polluted areas in Europe and air quality in and around the city have become a real health issue.

It is not just the air we breathe while out and about in the open that we must be concerned with but also the air we breathe while in the workplace. Poor air quality in offices, schools and other places of work has been associated with headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating and irritation of the respiratory system. Factors such as poor ventilation, temperature control, humidity control and proximity to contaminants such as dust and bacteria can all contribute to health problems.

Envirochem offer services to help measure these contaminants and help to pinpoint where the pollution issues lie. Monitoring of airborne dust in the form of inhalable or respirable particulates, humidity, temperature and airborne bacteria (bioaerosols) are all types of testing and analysis Envirochem offer, both in the workplace and in the wider environment. Please contact us if you have any issues with air pollution in the workplace in London or anywhere else in the UK and we can help.

If you would like to contact Envirochem regarding any issue, please fill out the form below.