Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, recently sat down with Engineer Live to discuss the latest global research linking benzene exposure to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and explain how recent progressions in ultraviolet spectroscopy is helping to improve occupational health and safety for workers operating across the petrochemical industry.
To read the full article, click here.
International air quality monitoring specialist, Duvas Technologies, has launched the industry’s first global guide to benzene. Available to download from https://duvastechnologies.com/marketing-collateral/, the digital resource will help petrochemical professionals understand their air quality impact.
A volatile organic compound (VOC) that ranks among the top 20 chemicals produced in the US by volume, benzene has been linked to severe health issues – including anaemia, impacts on fertility and even acute myeloid leukaemia. The Duvas guide aims to raise awareness of these effects, as well as the limited and disjointed global legislation surrounding benzene emissions.
Alongside providing a comprehensive introduction to the chemical, detailing its use in industry, emission from liquid petroleum and regulated levels of exposure, the guide profiles next-generation technologies capable of accurately monitoring airborne benzene levels to within parts per billion (ppb) levels.
Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, commented: “Air quality must clearly rise further up the global priority list but, even more, accurate monitoring and reporting. If we fail to understand the true magnitude of VOCs, implementing solutions to minimise impacts will be unachievable.
“Fortunately, there have been major advances in the development of air quality monitoring technology – in particular, when it comes to the accurate detection and reporting of VOCs. Alongside proven photoionization detection and gas chromatography technology, advances in ultra-violet absorption spectroscopy are delivering new levels of precision and flexibility.”
To help companies across the petrochemicals industry to deliver fast, accurate, real-time benzene data, Duvas has launched the DV3000 detection analyser. Portable and easily fitted into bespoke vehicles, the system delivers multiple mobile readings every second. Providing ppb-level detail, this analysis delivers detailed, immediate insight.
Billingham concluded: “It is essential that we recognise the health and safety implications of benzene. As the World Health Organisation says, there are no safe concentrations. We are keen to help petrochemical companies take action on air pollution, thus safeguarding the health of workers and the general public.”
Earlier this month, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus published a groundbreaking report into the potential health risks of living near to an oil or gas facility. The study, conducted in Colorado’s North Front Range, sought to understand the levels of hazardous air pollutants (including carcinogens such as benzene) residents near to oil and gas facilities were exposed to.
Using ambient air samples to estimate and compare risks for four residential scenarios, the study found that the lifetime cancer risk of those living within 500 feet of a well was eight times higher than the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) upper level risk threshold.
The research by the University of Colorado is the latest in a long line of damning studies into air quality. In March of this year, the University of Innsbruck published a paper revealing the world’s first ‘fingerprint’ of urban emissions VOC sources, finding that the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are even higher than previously reported. Furthermore, the US EPA issued a report last year which found that long-term exposure to benzene levels as low as 1ppm could lead to long-term health conditions, such as anaemia, immune system damage and acute myeloid leukaemia.
Responding to the research, Steve Billingham, CEO of gas monitoring specialist Duvas Technologies, commented: “Fortunately, there have been major advancements over the past decade in the development of air quality monitoring technology. Alongside proven photoionization detection and gas chromatography technology, advances in UV Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-DOAS) are delivering unprecedented levels of precision and flexibility.
“Next-generation monitoring solutions, such as the Duvas DV3000, quickly and clearly analyse gas type and concentration to within parts per billion (ppb) range. The system has already been adopted by businesses across the petrochemical industry to deliver fast, accurate and real-time benzene data. With the system is capable of monitoring for up to 13 additional species, its application can play a much more prominent role in the wider global air quality market.”
Billingham continues: “The recent academic studies highlight the need for a unified, global agreement on legislating against hazardous air pollutants. A great example of this can be found in California, which takes a particularly progressive approach to legislating against benzene and other VOC emissions. I’d like to see other states throughout America – and governments across the world – make serious commitments to improving air quality.”
“The findings from the University of Colorado are hugely concerning, for both those living near to an oil and gas facility, and those working at said facilities. A joined-up approach is critical to future progress and engendering legislative change, and we now have the technology to make accurate, real-time gas monitoring a reality.”
In this month’s edition of Hazard-Ex Magazine, Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, discusses the latest developments in air quality monitoring equipment and explores how UV spectroscopy innovation is helping to improve occupational health for workers operating across the petro-chemical industry.
Read the full article here.
With startling insight from the University of Innsbruck reporting that real-world VOC pollution levels are higher than previously believed, Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, recently sat down with Oil & Gas Technology to discuss what this means for global air quality.
To read the full story, please click here.
With startling insight from the University of Innsbruck reporting that real-world VOC pollution levels are higher than previously believed, Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, discusses what this means for global air quality.
It seems that barely a week goes by without damning news concerning poor air quality. From California to Nepal, smog, haze and pollutants in the atmosphere are damaging human health. But, according to a new academic study from Austria, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are even higher than previously believed.
The study, undertaken by researchers at the University of Innsbruck and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has revealed the world’s first fingerprint of urban emission VOC sources. The research team examined emissions from transport, solvents and smoking, identifying benzene and toluene gas compounds within the list of most prevalent toxic solvents.
While a significant breakthrough in terms of air quality understanding, the study also revealed that VOC levels are much higher than previously believed. The impact should not be under-estimated. VOCs – key compounds in the makeup of smog – have highly negative implications to public health.
As with any toxin, health effects vary depending on exposure level and duration. While short-term exposure can lead to headaches, visual problems, fatigue and respiratory tract irritation, long-term exposure (even in small concentrations) can cause liver, kidney and central nervous system damage.
Yet, according to the World Health Organization, 92% of the world’s population live in places where air quality guidelines levels are not met. More shocking still when we consider proven links to more than three million premature deaths worldwide in 2012.*
Air quality must clearly rise further up the global priority list but, moreso, accurate monitoring and reporting. If we fail to understand the true magnitude, implementing solutions to minimise impacts will be unachievable.
Fortunately, there have been major advances in the development of air quality monitoring technology – in particular, when it comes to the accurate detection and reporting of VOCs. Alongside proven photoionization detection and gas chromatography technology, advances in UV Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (UV-DOAS) are delivering new levels of precision and flexibility.
Next-generation monitoring solutions, such as the Duvas DV3000, can quickly and clearly analyse gas type and concentration to within parts per billion (ppb) levels. The system is already being used by companies across the petrochemicals industry to deliver fast, accurate, real-time benzene data. However, with the capability of monitoring for up to 13 additional species, its application can play a far wider part in the global air quality market.
Until we unify global legislation, potentially learning from best practice examples from forward-thinking areas such as California, which – as the most polluted State in the USA – is the only place to properly legislate against benzene (and other VOC) emissions, we will have to rely on dated processes to ensure that pollutant levels do not exceed dangerous levels.
The University of Innsbruck’s insight is undoubtedly game-changing. What’s more, our poor understanding of true global VOC levels is hugely worrying. Real-time, geographically-specific data is therefore critical to future progress and legislative change – and technology will play a critical part.
Leading air quality monitoring specialist, Duvas Technologies, has announced an international partnership agreement with Nanova Environmental Inc. The deal will see Nanova provide sales, technical consultation and customer support on behalf of Duvas across Northern America.
Aiming to capitalise on the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) Proposed Amended Rule (PAR) 1180, which requires petroleum refineries to invest in community air monitoring programmes, the agreement will improve global access to multi-species gas analysis equipment.
Working in close partnership with Nanova to raise awareness of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technology, having an active presence in the USA will help Duvas address increasing demand for its mobile gas monitoring system – the DV3000. Capable of identifying multiple species, in real-time, at parts per billion (PPB) levels, the innovative technology is already helping businesses across the world understand their environmental impact.
Steve Billingham, CEO of Duvas Technologies, commented: “With air quality rising up the global legislation agenda, adopting future-proof monitoring solutions is becoming a key priority for petrochemical professionals worldwide.
“With California currently leading the way, we predict that China, Europe and other nations will quickly follow suit. Being ahead of the curve with proprietary, real-time technology puts Duvas in an enviable position. Partnering with Nanova Environmental Inc will further increase our global presence, pushing the boundaries of air quality understanding across the USA.”
As part of the agreement, Nanova will showcase the DV3000 at this year’s Pittcon Show (booth 2060). One of the world’s leading conferences on applied spectroscopy, the exhibition, which takes place between 26 February – 1 March at the Orange County Convention Centre in Florida, will see thousands of delegates join together to share the latest developments in laboratory science.
A new study has confirmed the link between exposure of expectant mothers to benzene at work and increased risk leukaemia among their children. In his latest article for Industrial Compliance, Steve Billingham, our CEO, explains why this should provide yet more motivation for businesses to improve monitoring of benzene concentration levels.
Read the article HERE.
In this month’s (January) edition of Petro Industry News, our CEO, Steve Billingham, delivers a comprehensive introduction to benzene, discussing the negative health implications caused by over-exposure and explaining how accurate monitoring is essential to minimise unnecessary human contact.
To read the full article, click HERE.
According to statistics from The Department of Health and Human Services (USA), more than 238,000 people are occupationally exposed to benzene every day. High levels of the chemical have been found in 1,000 of the 1,684 most serious hazardous waste sites in the USA, while traces have also been identified in car exhausts, tobacco smoke and household detergents.*
Though considered safe in the smallest concentrations, the chemical is a proven carcinogen, closely linked to chronic leukaemia in cases of over-exposure. What’s more, research has found benzene highly-poisonous to body systems such as bone marrow, the liver and bloodstream.
In the latest edition of Envirotec Magazine, our CEO, Steve Billingham, offers an introduction to benzene, including the negative health impacts of over-exposure and how accurate monitoring is essential to minimise unnecessary human contact.
Read the full article here – www.envirotecmagazine.com/2017/11/20/benzene-the-hidden-killer/