W
W
Warning notice
Notice which must be placed on the packaging of certain compounds containing agents which, if used improperly, could possibly cause damage to health.
Washing agents
Products used for washing textiles, usually in powder form but occasionally also in liquid form. In Europe today, most washing agents are intended for use in drum-type washing machines and are produced in such a way as to be only slightly foaming so as to prevent problems. The most important components that most washing powders have in common are combinations of different tensides (See: Tensides) and sodium triphosphate. Depending on purpose, further ingredients include suds suppressers, oxygen bleaches, silicates, antiredeposition agents, optical brighteners, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, additives, fragrances and special additives. Since the detergents act was ratified in Germany in 1961 (implementing regulation 1964), only readily biodegradable anionic tensides are used in washing agents. The German law pertaining to the environmental compatibility of washing agents and cleaning agents washing agent additive) has been in effect since September 1, 1975. The first regulation pertaining to the biodegradability of non-ionic tensides has been in effect since October 1, 1977. It demands a decomposition rate of 80%.
Washing preservatives
Active washing substances and preservative components such as waxes, silicones, etc.
Waste
When the new recycling and waste law comes into effect (See: (New) Waste law, Closed Substance Cycle & Waste Management Act) the terms "subjective and objective waste" will no longer be used. According to the new definitions, waste not only includes "moveable objects which the possessor wants to dispose of", but also products and residues which are neither purposefully produced nor used for their intended purpose. A distinction is made between "waste for recycling" and "waste for disposal". The priority remains unchanged: "Avoidance, Recycling, Disposal". Unavoidable waste must be recycled in an environmentally compatible manner. Here, recycling (See: Recycling) and energy utilization (energy generation) are equivalent under certain conditions. Priority is always given to the most environmentally compatible means of utilization.
Waste disposal
The removal of waste, including waste water and gases. Recent discussions on nuclear energy have given special emphasis to the final disposal of radioactive waste. By virtue of its strict requirements, the law (See: (New) Waste law) ensures the highest possible safety standard for environmentally compatible treatment and disposal of waste.
(New) Waste law
On 7 October 1996 a legal project titled Closed Substance Cycle & Waste Management Act came into effect, redefining the regulations concerning the handling of waste. The name says it all: the concept of a recycling economy is to be promoted further. As a so-called "sub-legal body of rules", seven regulations and one guideline have been issued, governing e.g. the following key parameters:
- (New) Definition of waste
Now there is only "waste for recycling" and "waste for disposal". Terms such as "residues", "valuable substances" and "industrial materials" are no longer used, because to a certain extent they were not adequately monitored in terms of waste law.
- Avoidance rule
Firstly, waste must be avoided to the greatest possible extent in the production process by means of suitable recycling. Furthermore, products should be designed such that waste is avoided when they are used, and such that environmentally compatible recycling and disposal are ensured after use.
- Equivalence of recycling and energy utilization
Unavoidable waste must be recycled in an environmentally compatible manner. Priority is always given to the most environmentally compatible means of utilization. Under certain circumstances (calorific value of waste, combustion efficiency of the facility, utilization of generated heat), energy utilization and recycling are equivalent. This contributes to long-term conservation of natural fuel resources.
- Waste disposal
Only waste materials that cannot be recycled may be disposed of. In conjunction with the regulations per the Federal Pollutant Control Act (See: BlmSCHG) and the Technical Instruction on Municipal Waste (See: TI), the objective of the new law is to ensure the highest possible standard in the treatment and disposal of waste.
Waste Management Balances / Waste Management Concepts
According to the Closed Substance Cycle & Waste Management Act, producers of certain waste must prepare waste management concepts and balances. These contain information on the nature, quantity and whereabouts of the produced waste and also on implemented or planned measures on avoidance, utilization and/or disposal. The regulation defines the requirements placed on these concepts and balances in terms of form and content.
Waste water
In its true meaning, water that has been polluted by domestic, commercial or industrial use (and whose quantity and composition can vary strongly) and rainwater drained off developed areas (roofs, roads). It contains dissolved, colloidal and solid impurities. The quantity of waste water in cities fluctuates greatly between 50 and 400 liters per day per capita, and the spatial requirement for complete purification varies between 0.5 and 2.0 meters per inhabitant.
Waste water disposal
Return of the waste water to the natural water cycle. Possible methods:
- Feeding into an outlet channel (above-ground water, such as a stream, river or lake)
- Feeding into a communal sewage system
- Agricultural utilization of waste water
- Seepage or subsurface disposal
- Evaporation and combustion
Disposal of waste water can and must be preceded by purification.
Waste
water technology Any technology dealing with the purification of waste water. Whereas mechanical purification was generally considered sufficient in the past, nowadays biological purification of waste water is generally required. In the future, more extensive purification methods for waste water will be necessary, e.g. physicochemical purification methods.
Water
Bluish in very large quantities, it is an otherwise colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid; breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen (2H2O => 2H2 + O2) at high temperatures (1,500° C), possesses a high dissolving power for many substances (salts) and is therefore often used in chemical manufacturing processes. Due to its especially high specific melting and vaporization heat, it is a good heat accumulator for the heat balance of nature and balances out severe fluctuations in temperature. Seeing as how water at 4° C is denser than ice, ice floats on the surface of water and therefore bodies of water freeze from top to bottom.
Occurrence: Water covers � of the earth s surface and plays the primary role in the structures of animal and plant matter (the human body consists of 60% to 70% water; some fruits and vegetables consist of more than 90%). The atmosphere can absorb 4% by volume of water and return it to the earth in liquid (e.g. rain) or solid form (e.g. snow). Chemically bound water is found in many minerals (e.g. as crystal water). The entire water supply on and in the earth s crust and atmosphere is estimated to be 326 million cubic miles. Only 0.03% of this is fresh water. This value practically remains constant due to water circulation.
Usage: Adults require about 35 grams of water for each kilogram of weight. Water is the most important solvent in inorganic chemistry and is responsible for transporting substances in all things living (e.g. See: Osmosis). Water supply and Water supply and distribution are regulated by law, e.g. the Federal Water Act, the state-imposed water resource acts, drinking water regulations, the Federal Waste Disposal Act and the Effluent Charges Act.
Water board
Authority responsible for regulating water resources via planning, monitoring of planning activities, and occupying itself with all issues arising from water usage. The water board provides expert knowledge on issues related to water regulation.
Water charter
European water charter is a memorandum published by the Council of Europe in 1968, which describes securing the water supply as an international problem. It is proposed that sewage and industrial water be kept in closed circulation to the extent possible.
Water consumption
The portion consumed upon usage, which is not expelled as cooling water or sewage water and instead remains in the product or evaporates.
Water cycle
The chronological sequence of location and state changes of water.
Water pollution
Pollution of bodies of water due to introduction of communal and industrial waste water, also due to solid substances being washed out.
Water requirement
The requirement for drinking water as well as the water required by businesses and industries Industrial water.
Water reserve
Part of a drinking water catchment area, in which usage limitations are imposed to protect the (ground) water; it is usually subdivided into smaller and larger protected zones.
Water resources
The quantitative measurement of water circulation (water balance) and the regulation of this; important part of Water supply and distribution. The biochemical reactions and therefore all life processes are carried out in the cell in the aqueous phase. In its role as a solvent and transport agent for metabolic products and carrier material of living organisms, the portion of water in protoplasm is usually 60 to 80%. Disturbances in the water resource have a direct impact on life activities, and dehydration of 10 to 15% is fatal for vertebrates.
Water Resources Act
Abbreviation: WRA. The water resources act contains regulations for maintaining proper water resources, e.g. groundwater usage and sewage water regulation. The water resources act is enforced by the water authorities together with technically specialized agencies (See: Water board).
Water supply
All measures for procurement, treatment, storage, delivery and distribution of drinking water and industrial water. Ground water can be suitable as drinking water, whereas seeping water and rain water have to be filtered and treated. River water can only be used once it has been cleaned and treated, despite rivers' self-cleaning properties. In the waterworks, the water is entered into a cleaning system with coarse and fine filters. The degree to which water is cleaned by filtration is sufficient mechanically but not biologically. Water is usually disinfected by adding chlorine; newer procedures even accomplish this without compromising the taste of the water. Other disinfection procedures use ultraviolet radiation or the addition of ozone (ozonizing). The purified water is collected in large underground tanks (concrete peristyles) with a water depth of several meters or in water towers and released into the delivery pipe and transported to the consumers on demand.
Water supply and distribution
All measures pertaining to regulating and maintaining water resources.
Water-based paints
Better: water-dilutable paints. Paint systems in which organic solvents are either completely or largely replaced by water as the solvent. Especially effective with base coat paints for two-coat systems.
Watt
Unit for power: W. Energy flow rate or heat flow rate; 1 W = 1 Joule per second.
WHO
Abbreviation for World Health Organization. It was founded in 1948 as an independent organization of the UN with its headquarters in Geneva and with regional branch offices around the world. The WHO only has a consulting and coordinating function.
Working materials ordinance
The ordinance on hazardous working materials dated 11 February 1982 governs the introduction and handling of hazardous working materials and also covers monitoring the health of employees who handle hazardous substances. It was superseded on 1 October 1986 by the Hazardous substance regulations.
Workplace ordinance
This ordinance specifies fundamental industrial safety regulations for commercial operations in order to safeguard the health of employees.
World Health Organization
See: WHO.
World Health Organization
See: WHO.
WRA
See: Water Resources Act.