Good planning during construction can reduce a large proportion of pollutant emissions. This has now been pointed out by the Federal Environment Agency. A study - conducted between summer 2018 and winter 2020 in two new construction areas in Berlin - shows that by taking environmental concerns into account at an early planning stage, pollutant emissions from construction projects can be reduced by more than 90 percent.
Among other things, this can be achieved by creating wide roof overhangs on facades so that the contact of building materials with rainwater is minimized. According to the Federal Environment Agency, it is also often possible to use biocide- or herbicide-free building products. In addition, facades with mineral plaster protect against the growth of algae and fungi thanks to their high PH value, and this without biocides.
Background: Harmful substances can be released into the environment from building materials such as roofing tiles, exterior plasters and exterior paints during the construction phase. A study by the Federal Environment Agency shows that this is particularly the case with the biocides diuron and terbutryn from facades, the anti-rooting agents mecoprop and MCPA from roofing membranes, and zinc from roofs and facades. The measured concentrations exceeded the target values for surface waters, in some cases significantly.
Source and further information: umweltbundesamt.de
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