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Writer's pictureMarkus Sommer

It‘s much worse than thought

positive Cr6 tests, taken of insulation material in use
positive Cr6 tests, taken of insulation material in use

It was exhausting days and weeks that were behind us. Several power plants and combined heat and power plants could be visited and everywhere we could take samples of stripped hot parts such as engines, turbines and pipelines and test them for chromate by quick test, but also with our new mobile laboratory apparatus.


The good news:


We were finally able to test the insulation materials that we have not had access to so far.


The bad news:


For these materials, too, the suspicion has been confirmed that the carcinogenic chromates, in particular calcium chromate (CaCrO4), form during their use.


Whether mineral wool,


deeply contaminated Superwool insulation mat
the use of mineralwool leads to the creation of calcium- and/or sodium chromate

Alkaline alkaline silicate fibers (superwool),


deeply contaminated Superwool insulation mat
deeply contaminated Superwool insulation mat

The already known insulating blankets,


insulation blanket made of glass fabrics, contaminated with Cr6 compounds
insulation blanket made of glass fabrics, contaminated with Cr6 compounds

But also the "Microtherm" insulating mats, which are sometimes even used in household appliances,


Microtherm insulation, contaminated with calcium chromate
Microtherm insulation, contaminated with calcium chromate

The same image everywhere, continuous contamination, usually already recognizable by yellowish powder residues, with the carcinogenic and chronically harmful chromates (calcium and/or sodium chromate).


The presence of the chromium (VI) compounds did not surprise us, but the high concentration of the sheep substances.


The chromate disaster is big, very big!


But one thing became clear to us quite quickly during the sampling:


It's much worse than I thought!


More about the individual materials here soon!


Take care of yourself when you are in workplaces that have thermal insulation.

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