Reduction of air pollutants with TioCem®
Protection of the environment and climate is a highly topical subject in all the industrialized Western countries. Motivation to “do something” to aid climate protection is increasing constantly; in many German and European cities, air quality is an enormous problem. In addition to much-discussed fine particles, it is, above all, the oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which seriously impair air quality in our cities. NOX can be oxidized, and thus rendered harmless, by means of photocatalysis. A standard cement, which can be used as an input material for the production of photocatalytically active concrete products, is now available in the form of TioCem®, which contains photocatalytically active titanium dioxide.
In many German and European cities, air quality is an enormous problem. In addition to much-discussed fine particles, it is, above all, the oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which seriously impair air quality in our cities. The absorption of nitrogen dioxide through inhalation – with an associated potential for harm to the respiratory tract – is of particular relevance to human health. According to [1], long-term exposure to external air NO2 concentrations of 10 to 80 g per m3 results in the more frequent incidence of complaints and diseases of the respiratory tract such as coughs, bronchitis and impaired pulmonary function. People living on roads with high levels of traffic are particularly endangered. In addition, the oxides of nitrogen, in association with the VOCs, in near-ground-level layers are the precursor substances of ozone, which is also a health hazard.
