LIFE project from Małopolska presented at Saltsjobaden VI

The LIFE integrated project implemented in Małopolska was presented at the international conference Saltsjobaden VI held on 18-20 March 2018 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The conference was organized by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Almost 200 experts from national and international organizations took part, including the Swedish Minister of the Environment, representatives of the WHO, the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).

During the “Clean Air – Sectors and Solutions” workshop, the experience of Małopolska with the introduction of restrictions on the use of solid fuels and anti-smog resolutions was presented. At the “Clean Air for the Cities” workshop, the assumptions and effects of the LIFE integrated project were presented, especially the work of ecomanagers in the cities and municipalities.

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Krakow Smog Alert carried out research on the quality of the coal available in fuel depots in the Malopolska and Silesian Regions. The actual quality of coal has been compared, among other things, with the one declared by sellers.

Samples of the tested coal came from depots in the Malopolska and Silesian Regions. They were collected in an amount of 10 to 25 kilograms directly from coal piles or in plastic bags after being pre-packed by sellers. The types of samples corresponded to the assortment used in Polish households. They included the so-called eco-pea coal, nut coal and coal dust. The analysis of the samples was carried out by an accredited laboratory of the Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal in Zabrze. Sulfur and ash content, the humidity and calorific value of coal were tested among other things.

The first conclusion that arises from the research is that coal sellers very rarely inform about the parameters of the coal being sold. Only in one case did the seller present a document confirming the quality of the coal sold. In the case of eco-pea, some parameters were determined on the bags. In other cases, sellers only reported the calorific value and / or name of the mine, referring for more information to the manufacturer’s website. Therefore, retail coal buyers do not have the basic information concerning the quality of the product they buy, and the few parameters given by the sellers are declarative, not confirmed by appropriate documentation nor verified by appropriate inspection services.

Calorific value

The parameter given by almost all sellers is the calorific value of coal, i.e. the energy contained in a given coal product. It turns out, however, that in 8 cases out of 14 the calorific value was actually lower than the one given by the producers, so de facto it could be concluded that the buyers paid more than they should. The worst case of the sampled concerned one of the fine coals – the difference was as high as 20 percent (5 MJ/kg).

In general, the differences were not so large – they oscillated around 10 percent. Attention should also be paid to the fact that the calorific value was in line with or higher than the declared by producers in 7 out of 15 cases. However, customers do not have any tools to differentiate between manufacturers and sellers presenting the actual parameters of the products being sold from those who give overpriced parameters. The introduction of regulations that will eliminate this type of behavior is necessarily due to the concern for the customer’s interest.

Ash and sulfur content

Meanwhile, the results of the analysis of the samples show that there is no shortage of good quality fuel on the market. Many samples were characterized by good parameters of ash and sulfur content, which would easily allow them to meet even demanding quality standards. Only 4 out of the 15 samples tested had a sulfur content greater than 0.7%. Four samples were characterized by ash content greater than 10%, two of which were slightly greater. Four samples were also characterized by moisture content greater than 12%. In total, the three criteria were met by more than half of the samples. This shows that, in addition to the coal of poor quality, there is quite a lot of decent quality coal on the retail coal market in Poland. Unfortunately, common customers buying coal are not capable of verifying which type of coal they buy. The coal that does not meet the above parameters should be withdrawn from the household market due to its negative impact on air quality.

Reliable information on the quality of coal is all the more important because modern boilers require high quality fuels to achieve their nominal emission parameters, they should be characterized by a high heating value, low content of moisture, ash and sulfur. We need to know what is being fed into our device to be able to use the capabilities of such a device.

Moisture content

However, apart from good quality fuel, there are many types of fuel that do not meet any criteria. This type of coal should not be available due to the very negative impact on the air. What is more, the cost-effectiveness of heating using this type of coal is also questionable. For example, one of the coal samples contained as much as 30 percent moisture. Another, over 20 percent. This means that buying 1 ton of coal of such poor quality, we pay for 300 kg of water that at the same time exacerbates the calorific value of coal. Information on the moisture content is occasionally given by retailers or manufacturers.

In the case of two types of dusts, very high ash content was recorded – 24.6% and 31.5%. Buying this type of coal for PLN 1,000, we spend as much as PLN 250-300 on ash with zero calorific value. In as many as 4 cases, producers reported lower ash content than it was in reality.

It was also found that none of the analyzed fine coals met the criteria of the smog resolutions of the Malopolska and Silesian Regions – they were purchased in the regions and should not be used for heating in domestic furnaces.

Analyzes were carried out as part of Measure C.2 “Competence Center” of the “Implementation of the Air Quality Program for the Malopolska Region – Malopolska in a Healthy Atmosphere” LIFE14 IPE PL 021 / LIFE IP MALOPOLSKA co-financed by the European Union LIFE Program.

Employees of the Environment Department of the Marshal’s Office of the Malopolska Region trained employees of the Leroy Merlin store chain with respect to the requirements of air protection regulations, anti-smog resolutions and eco-design requirements for furnaces and space heaters using solid fuels.

The subject matter of the training included:

• discussion of air pollution (causes, effects, types and prevention),
• co-financing programs and shielding programs available to residents,
• control and enforcement of the ban on heating using waste and anti-smog resolution requirements,
• differences between class 5 furnaces and eco-design furnaces,
• technical requirements for furnaces and space heaters,
• requirements concerning quality parameters for coal and wood.

The training was attended by Customer Advisors, Coordinators, and Managers of commercial stands (electric, hydraulic and construction) from all Leroy Merlin stores in Krakow. The information obtained will be used by the employees to raise the awareness of the residents visiting their stands with respect to the requirements of anti-smog resolutions in the Malopolska Region and the use of heating devices with high thermal efficiency and low emissions.

In July 2017, Castorama employees participated in similar trainings.

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Who are the Eco-Managers and what their daily work is like?

This question will be answered by a series of articles entitled: Get to know your Eco-Manager!. The cycle is connected with the workshops for Eco-Managers during which they share their experiences, knowledge and creative ideas concerning their fight with smog. Once a month, we will publish the profiles of several Eco-Managers employed in the Malopolska Region’s municipalities under the LIFE project entitled: “Implementation of the Air Quality Program for the Malopolska Region – Malopolska in a Healthy Atmosphere“. We hope that the passion, commitment, and above all, knowledge that our specialists have, will provide inspiration and will convince you that only joint actions will help improve the air quality in our region.

A moment ago you had the opportunity to present the results of your work, as well as the know-how you have been working for over a year as Eco-Managers, of which you are the most proud at the moment?

Kamila Pakuła, an Eco-Manager in the Town Office of Gorlice:

There is a lot of it, first of all I am happy that I have become recognizable in my local community. Residents know who to turn to for help, they know that I will be happy to advise. I am also happy that they usually leave satisfied and well-informed. The second thing that I’m really proud of is the Eco-Tale – an Adventure with a Flora Fairy. This is a children’s book that deals with the issues of the air quality and illustrates the problem for the youngest in an accessible way. Interestingly, the Eco-Tale could be published only due to the efforts of the local community. The author of the drawings is an employee of the Gorlice Cultural Center, Mr. Tadeusz Łuczejko, and the author of the text was the then secondary school student of the third grade in Libusza, Aleksandra Przybyłowicz. They both did a great job. Thanks to the circulation of 2,000 copies, the book will be distributed free of charge to preschoolers and pupils from 1-3 primary school grades in the municipality. What is more, the company that printed the Eco-Tale for us offered to put the next pebble on the road to the fight for better air quality and prepared free-of-charge coloring pages for the book. This action is pioneering in our municipality, and most importantly, integrates different environments in the fight for better air quality.

Szymon Lukaj, an Eco-Manager at the Town Office of Wadowice:

I am glad that finally there was a clear identification of the problem. What’s more, a monitoring station was also established on the market in Wadowice. A system was established in educational institutions with the help of which parents, children and teachers find out daily what is the quality of the air in the municipality and whether it is advisable to go out for a walk with children.

What exactly is the system about?

Szymon Lukaj, Wadowice: The information system is based on the fact that in educational establishments in our municipality there are attractive boards, clear for the perception of children, informing about the air quality. We have 7 levels and 7 colorful graphics that illustrate whether the air we breathe is polluted. The extreme level of pollution is illustrated by a “face” with a burgundy mask, while the air free from harmful substances is illustrated by a green smiling graphics. Every morning, at 6:30 am I send an SMS message with information about the air quality in our municipality. Thanks to it, the employees of the units know which graphics should be placed on the board showing the air quality.

Szymon Lichorobiec, an Eco-Manager at the Dąbrowa Tarnowska Town Office:

I am most pleased with the noticeable increase in public awareness in the subject of air pollution. I managed to reach a wide range of our residents, both adults and children, and young people. In my opinion, the clean air march was one of the most interesting ventures of 2017, participated by approx. 300 children. The march walked along the streets of our municipality. Children dressed in anti-smog masks and banners appealed to adults to ensure a good air quality, which will also be taking care of the health of their relatives.

The parents of the children did not mind such an initiative?

Szymon Lichorobiec, Dąbrowa Tarnowska: Before the event, skeptical opinions were expressed, the march took place at a negative temperature, many parents were worried about the health of children. Fortunately, after the event, positive signals could be recorded. In general, parents and residents highlighted that children learn about the harmful effects of pollution not only at school desks, but they are also involved into social initiatives, which stimulates their activity, creativity and the awareness that they have an impact on what surrounds them and that they can shape their local community.

In the autumn, a year passed since Eco-Managers were employed in municipalities, you managed to implement many interesting initiatives and ideas, I wonder what your career plans for the near future are?

Kamila Pakuła, Gorlice: I have to admit that this is a difficult question. My head is full of ideas, but their implementation must be matched to the current needs. For sure, I would like to focus now on conducting classes for children and youth at schools. I have some ideas for activating the youngest residents of our municipality. They are important activities, because the acquired knowledge and attitudes shaped from an early age will pay off in the future and will provide a good example for future generations.

Szymon Lukaj, Wadowice: I care about propagating renewable energy in the municipality, it is clean energy and a great potential. Another thing is to focus on the issues of electromobility, also a lot is still ahead of us.

Szymon Lichorobiec, Dąbrowa Tarnowska: I would like to continue the education and information policy in the municipality. I also hope for more and more investments in thermo-modernization. I want to continue to actively support our residents in making decisions about the choice of ecological heating sources and I hope that this will happen in the coming year.