Fact Sheet: Toxic substances in central and district heating systems

Ban on toxic substances in central and district heating systems. It is prohibited to add toxic substances to water that circulates in central and district heating systems.

'Toxic substances' means

Toxic or very toxic substances, cf. the current Statutory Order on classification, packaging, labelling, sale and storage of chemical substances and mixtures; see the fact sheet on classification, packaging and labelling, and mixtures that contain toxic or very toxic substances. 

The regulation covers toxic substances that are added to water that circulates in central and district heating systems.

Exceptions

Hydrazine may be added to a primary water circuit if the consumer units are supplied from a secondary water circuit that does not come into contact with the primary circuit.

If hydrazine is added, the conditions in Annex 1 to the Statutory Order must be met.

The regulations shall protect people and the environment

The regulations have been introduced to prevent people and the environment from being harmed through contact with toxic substances that are added to water that circulates in central and district heating systems.

Hydrazine is toxic and carcinogenic. Hydrazine can also cause hypersensitivity on contact with the skin.

The heating supplier is responsible

Anyone who is responsible for central and district heating systems is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations, as set out in the Statutory Order.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency's Chemicals Inspection Service shall carry out inspection to ensure compliance with the regulation and may issue orders or prohibitions. Contraventions of the regulation may be punished by a fine or imprisonment..

More information

" The Ministry of the Environment's Statutory Order No. 144 of 14 April 1982 on a ban on the use of toxic substances in certain heating systems "  (in danish at retsinfo.dk).