In the next few weeks, many power plant operators (gas, steam and biogas plants and power stations) in Germany will receive mail from the editorial office.
In the form of an official press inquiry, we are asking the operators to answer whether they are aware of the problem that the insulation of the engines and turbines operated for power generation may be contaminated with the carcinogenic chromium (VI) compound calcium chromate (CaCrO4).
We ask whether the operators have ever been informed about possible dangers on the part of the service companies and how they deal with this information or what measures can be taken or are planned.
In Germany alone, thousands of energy generators are in operation, from small CHP engines to powerful gas turbines.
However, our research so far suggests that there is a lack of knowledge on the subject of occupational safety and environmental protection. Up to now, we have been told by fitters and project managers, the problem seems to have been rather neglected, although the handling of calcium chromate requires special protective measures.
We will report comprehensively on the results at the beginning of 2022 after evaluating the hopefully numerous responses.
Next year, it is planned to extend this survey to other European countries.