AGW und BGW Grenzwerte

Since January 1st, 2005, exists with entry into force of the new Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV) a new value concept. The new GefStoffV now only knows healthbased values, called occupational limit value (AGW) and biological value (BGW). The AGW replaced the maximum occupational concentration (MAK) dn technical reference concentrations (TRK values). The AGW is the limit of the time-weighted average concentration of an inhaled load with hazardous substances in air ath the working place. It indicates up to which concentration of a substance acute or chronic effects on healths of employees are not expected in general. In determining, the time-weighted average is basis, with regard to an 8-hour-shift at five days per week during the entire working life. They serve protection of employees from the hazards of breathing substances (gases, vapours, suspended matters). The AGW is specified in mg/m³ and ml/m³ (ppm).

MAK values and BAT values

The new GefStoffV (Regulation on Dangerous Chemicals) knows only healthbased values, called occupational exposure limit value AGW and biological exposure lmit values BGW. The old terms MAK values and BAT values can and should be used as benchmark until the complete implementation of the new GefStoffV. The MAK value specifies the maximum allowed concentration of a compound as gas, fume, or suspended matter in the air of working places where no health risk is expected, even when normally exposed to the concentration 8 hours daily, maximum 40 (42) hours per week (shift duty). The BAT value means the maximum allowed concentration of a agent in blood, blood plasma or breathing air of humans where according to current knowledge health of humans is not harmed. BAT value can not be specified for carcinogenic substances.

TRK values

The Technical Reference Concentration (TRK values) specified the concentration of substances as gas, fume or suspended matters in air of working places, which was a guidance for protection measures to be taken and the measurement supervision at working places. The TRK values was specified for carcinogenic, suspected carcinogens and mutagenic substances when no MAK value was declared.

Occupational exposure limit value and biological limit value

With the legal validity of the new hazardous substances ordinance on January 1st, 2015 exist a new limit value concept. The new GefStoffV knows only health based limit values, called Occupational exposure limit value (AGW) and biological limit values (BGW).

Immissions are in terms of "TA-Luft" air pollutions that extinguish from plants, indicated as follows:

Masses of emitted substances as related to the volume

• of waste gas under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) after subtraction of the water vapour content
• of waste gas (wet) under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) before subtraction of the water vapour content 
• quantity of fibres emitted (fibre dust concentration), as related to the volume of waste gas under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) after subtraction of the water vapour content

Emission values of certain substances according to valid TA-Luft (stand 2002). 

The dust emissions contained in the waste gas shall not exceed the mass volume 0,20 kg/h or the mass concentration 20 mg/m³. Also when complying or falling below of a mass volume of 0,20 kg/h, the mass concentration 0,15 g/m³ in the exhaust gas is not allowed to exceed (TA-Luft, part 5.2.1).

The "TA-Luft" offers among others binding values for permissible dust emissions within the exhaust gas, which can also apply for exhaust air on the clean gas side of filters.

The Technical Guideline for Air Pollution Control (TA-Luft) is a general administrative specification under federal pollution control law (BImSchG). Legal base for the TA-Luft is 48 BImSchG.

The TA-Luft serves to protect the general public and the neighbourhood against harmful effects of air pollution on the environment and to provide precautions against harmful effects of air pollution in order to attain a high level of protection for the environment altogether.

Immissions are in terms of "TA-Luft" air pollutions that impact on people, animals, plants, the soil, the water, the atmosphere or cultural heritage and material assets.

Maximum immission values for substances to protect human health

Emmissions are in terms of "TA-Luft" air pollutions that extinguish from plants, indicated as follows:

Masses of emitted substances as related to the volume

• of waste gas under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) after subtraction of the water vapour content
• of waste gas (wet) under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) before subtraction of the water vapour content 
• quantity of fibres emitted (fibre dust concentration), as related to the volume of waste gas under standard conditions (273.15 K and 101.3 kPa) after subtraction of the water vapour content

Emission values of certain substances according to valid TA-Luft (stand 2002).