Final Report

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LIFE PROJECT NAME : FORMALDEHYDE SENSOR SYSTEM FOR SAFE ENVIRONMENTS IN INDUSTRY

LIFE Project Number: LIFE16ENV/ES/000232

Covering the project activities from 01/09/2017 to 31/03/2020

Reporting Date: 30/06/2020

Data Project:

1. Executive Summary

The main objective of the SENSSEI project is to minimise environmental and health impacts linked to occupational exposure to formaldehyde in various sectors, especially through indoor air concentrations. The goals of the project were to develop and demonstrate a real-time formaldehyde monitoring and alarm system to be tested in the timber industry. The system will consist of:

• A detection unit that operates continuously in the factory, retrieving formaldehyde samples;
• A process unit that analyses formaldehyde concentration levels;
• An alarm unit, which is triggered when formaldehyde concentration limits are exceeded; and
• A data storage and business intelligence unit, which enables analysis of the collected data (coloured maps, operation reports, statistics, etc.).

Data from the monitoring system will be used to develop new health protection strategies and protocols for industry. In addition, the project will develop a series of methodological guidelines to underpin the replication of the approach in three other sectors: tyre manufacturing, the automotive industry and hospitals.

The project is in line with the EU Safety and Health at Work Directive and will contribute to the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/UE, given that its results will be of use when updating Best Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) for the production of wood-based panels, surface treatment using organic solvents and the production of pulp, paper and cardboard.

These were the expected results:

• A real-time formaldehyde monitoring and alarm system;
• New occupational health and safety strategies to manage concentrations of and exposure to formaldehyde;
• Monitor two production lines equipped with the SENSSEI system.
• Develop guidelines for the replication of the system in four sectors: timber, tyre manufacturing, automotive (other components) and hospitals;
• A business plan for commercial exploitation of the system; and
• A replication plan for application of the system in other sectors.

2. Introduction

2.1. Description of background, problems and objectives (as foreseen in the proposal)

In Spain, the classification of chemical substances and mixtures is done according to what is indicated in Regulation CLP 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging.

In the 6th ATP (Adaptation to Technical Progress), Regulation (EU) No. 605/2014 Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, the classification of formaldehyde was modified to become a category 1B carcinogen.

Therefore, as of 1 January 2016, in those jobs that use formaldehyde, the provisions of Royal Decree 665/1997 will apply on the protection of workers against the risks related to exposure to carcinogens during work (Directive 2004/37/EC).

The use of the intended new sensor would allow real-time measurements and the direct reading of formaldehyde concentrations, compared to the traditional measurement method with sampling obtention and subsequent laboratory analysis (Methods MTA / MA-062-A08/NIOSH 2016), also enabling the monitoring of large surfaces.

The monitoring of workers' health must conform to specific protocols regarding the risk factors to which the worker is exposed (article 37.3.c of the Regulation of Prevention Services). The contents and periodicity of these protocols are established by the Ministry of Health and the Autonomous Communities, after hearing the scientific societies and the social agents consulted.

The criteria considered for its realisation have been: existence or not of a concrete standard obligation, prioritisation of the protocols of exposure to risk factors against the protocols of effect or disease, severity and extension of the risk and feasibility of formalising the examination to be performed via protocols.

These protocols, while establishing common guidelines for action, serve as support and guidance for health professionals. All this must be for the benefit of the workers and the professionals responsible for carrying it out.

Without having a standardised nature in the strict sense, different standards make reference to them, which is why their obligation is indirectly indicated, even if this is controversial, although no one doubts the guiding nature of them.

All this is the frame of the project in terms of occupational medicine.

Project management is carried out in accordance with the Project Grant Agreement signed for this project for wich Quirón Prevención, SLU act as coordinating beneficiary

2.2. Technical progress, per Action

2.3. Analysis of benefits

2.3.1. Analysis of benefits

The LIFE SENSSEI project has developed a novel real-time and continuous measurement system for formaldehyde that could play an important role in controlling formaldehyde exposure complementing traditional methods.

2.3.2. Economic benefits.

The developed LIFE SENSSEI system represents a qualitative leap with respect to the traditional methods used today.

2.3.3. Innovative and demonstrative value

The innovative nature of the project has focused on the development of a new formaldehyde monitoring system in work environments and on the demonstration of its validity as a strategy to control the risk of exposure to this substance. Although the characteristics of the measurement system obtained have not been those initially foreseen, the LIFE SENSSSEI sensor constitutes an alternative and complement to the traditional methods of measurement of this substance, bringing substantial improvements to them.