Annual Report 2013

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→ 44 | Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH Air Quality Monitoring Everything at Acceptable Levels In 2011, the Airport Company initiated an air quality and environment examination programme with BER in mind for the purpose of examining long term the air quality and the environmental impact of air traffic. Air quality measurement point The pollutants typically produced by traffic – carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone and fine particulate matter – resulting from flight operations, vehicular traffic and background pollution are continuously measured at the air quality measurement point “Schönefeld Airport” located at the eastern end of the future North Runway at BER. These emission measurements are analysed on the basis of threshold values set forth in the 39th Federal Emission Control Act (BIm- SchV). This work is being conducted under the supervision of the State Agency for the Environment, Health and Consumer Protection of Brandenburg (LUGV). The results are updated daily on the Airport Company’s internet site. Benzene, benzo(a)pyrene (the lead substance of PAHs), hydrocarbons and soot are collected over longer periods and examined by the State Laboratory Berlin-Brandenburg. The carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations at Schönefeld Airport in 2013 were comparable with the suburban monthly mean values determined at the air quality measurement points of the LUGV in Blankenfelde-Mahlow and Königs Wusterhausen. The threshold values and trigger levels set forth in the 39th BImSchV were not exceeded for any of the measured pollutants at Schönefeld Airport in 2013. Biomonitoring Biomonitoring focuses on the actual impact of emissions on the living environment in the environs of the airport. The biomonitoring procedure will help to answer the question whether – and if so, to what extent – grass as animal feed or kale as food is exposed to pollutants and the degree to which air traffic is responsible. In summer 2013, standardized grass cultures were set out in the examination area for this purpose. The cultures were placed in immediate proximity to Schönefeld Airport, in and around settlements and in agricultural areas, harvested after four weeks and analysed in the laboratory. Two measurement points were set up at a

Environment | 45 The threshold values for pollutants were not exceeded a single time in 2013. sufficient distance from the airport, settlements and streets so that the general pollution levels in the region could be measured (background pollution). The results of the analyses can be evaluated indirectly by comparing them with other recent German examinations and on the basis of evaluation and test values for foods. Biomonitoring is also an aid for determining the risk potential for human beings. The biomonitoring in 2013, just as in the previous years, demonstrated that Schönefeld Airport does not have any relevant impact (emission effects) on raising pollutant levels in the region. The examinations are conducted by an independent environmental institute. Bee monitoring Bee monitoring provides answers to the question whether the operation of an airport has an adverse effect on the quality of the honey produced in the region. As part of the bee monitoring since 2011, pollen, wax and honey from the environs of the future Berlin Brandenburg Airport have been analysed for pollutant residues which can find their way into the food chain through the air and environment. Products from three bee hive locations have been examined for this purpose: one location on the operational premises of Schönefeld Airport, one location south of the airport which will be directly below flight patterns when BER Airport opens and one hive in Schorfheide from which the bees collect nectar in a landscape which is largely unaffected by road and air traffic or settlements. Monitoring has begun even before the operational startup of BER so that any possible changes in the residue content can be documented. It will consequently be continued after the operational startup of BER. The results of the residue analysis show that airport operations do not have any impact on the quality of honey as a food product from the airport region. Honey, pollen and wax are not contaminated by the examined air pollutants. The reports on the biomonitoring and bee monitoring have been made available in their unabridged form on the Neighbourhood Portal of the Airport Company.