Technology for life!

As an international leader in medical and safety technology, Dräger develops devices and solutions that are trusted by people all over the world.
Because wherever Dräger products are used, it's about the most important thing: it's about life.
Whether in clinical applications, in industry, mining, with the fire brigade or in rescue services: Dräger products protect, support and save lives.
Anyone who develops technology for life must do more than guarantee technical excellence. They have to take responsibility.
Responsibility for the people who need and rely on this technology.
Dräger is aware of this responsibility and meets it anew every day.
"Technology for life" is both the guiding idea and the challenge.
The apparent contrast between technology and life results in a field of tension from which Dräger draws inspiration and motivation.
Despite all the challenges encountered every day, you can rely on one thing - the 4 Dräger strengths of customer proximity, employee innovation and quality.
 

Analytical technology from Dräger!

The analytical technology division of Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA has responded to the growing interest of the general public as well as specialists and experts in the field of indoor pollutants and has expanded its range of services accordingly.
Among other things, the ORSA benzene diffusion collector is available for the analytical determination of indoor contaminants.

What is benzene?

In the natural environment, benzene occurs only in very low concentrations.
Benzene is a component of crude oil and is formed during the incomplete combustion of organic material.
With a few exceptions, the use and marketing of benzene is prohibited by law or strictly regulated.
The largest proportion enters the environment through its use as fuel for internal combustion engines.
The main source of benzene emissions is car exhaust. However, the highly volatile benzene also enters the atmosphere with the exhaust gas from large combustion plants, coking plants and refineries.
In addition, benzene volatilises when vehicles are refuelled, at fuel installations and during fuel transport.
Benzene concentrations are particularly high inside cars - up to >600 µg/m3 have been measured here - and in cigarette smoke.

Exposure in the motor vehicle and petrol station industry!

In particular, the exposure of employees of petrol stations or comparable workplaces to benzene is considered critical and has already led to decisions by higher courts.
Various studies have shown that at cashier workplaces and sales rooms of petrol stations, increased benzene concentrations in the indoor air are to be expected, so that the employer must prove by suitable measurements that the "intervention value" recommended by the Länder Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (LAS) is not exceeded.

What is so dangerous?

Benzene can enter the human organism via the skin, lungs and food intake, whereby respiration - so-called pulmonary absorption - is the most important uptake pathway.
After inhalation, about 50 % of benzene is exhaled again, but half is stored or metabolised in the body.
The so-called "exposure risk group" includes all occupationally exposed people such as employees in the chemical industry, in tank farms, petrol stations, motor vehicle operations, car and parking garages, refineries and laboratories as well as professional drivers.
For example, benzene concentrations many times higher than the generally occurring benzene concentrations have been measured in sales and cashier rooms of petrol stations - irrespective of the presence or type of ventilation system and its operating condition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE ENCLOSED WITH EACH PACKAGE OR DOWNLOAD THEM UNDER "DOCUMENTS" HERE ON THIS PAGE.