At the invitation of the Bavarian Industrial Fire Brigades Association (WFV Bayern), Dr. Wolfgang Staber, Managing Director of Oxy3 Ozongeräte Produktion GmbH, presented the Oxy3 process for decontaminating personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency response vehicles on October 21, 2026.
Focus on PAH Degradation and Decontamination
The WFV Bayern’s two-day autumn seminar took place on October 20 and 21, 2026, in Neuburg an der Donau. While the first day focused on preventive fire protection, the second day was dedicated to operational response and technology.
Under the official presentation title “PAH Degradation/Odor Removal Using the Oxy3 Process – PPE and Emergency Response Vehicles”, Dr. Wolfgang Staber presented the potential applications of the Oxy3 process for treating contaminated equipment and vehicle interiors.
The technical presentation attracted considerable interest, prompting numerous questions and follow-up discussions. Questions from the audience highlighted the relevance, and potentially even the urgency, of the topic for the participants. In-depth technical discussions about the technology and its potential applications in firefighting also continued outside the presentation.
Our sales partner in Bavaria, Birnthaler Feuerwehrbedarf, was also present at the event, providing information about the Oxy3 process at its own exhibition stand.
![3D rendering of chemical structural formulas of aromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene.](https://www.proaqua.at/wp-content/uploads/2026-10_PAK.png)
Decontamination as a Core Element of Professional Post-Incident Hygiene
The particular importance of this topic for industrial and professional fire brigades becomes clear when considering the health risks involved and the responsibilities of professional fire service organizations.
During firefighting operations, firefighters may be exposed to a wide range of hazardous substances. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are classified as carcinogenic. Contamination is not limited to the incident itself: hazardous residues can remain on personal protective equipment (PPE) and operational equipment and may be carried into emergency response vehicles or fire stations.
In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) also explicitly emphasizes the importance of consistent post-incident hygiene and preventing the spread of contamination.
Industrial and Professional Fire Brigades Have a Particular Responsibility
As professional organizations, they are integrated into the company structures. Protecting their personnel is therefore also a concrete obligation under occupational health and safety law.
The Austrian Employee Protection Act (ASchG) and the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) require employers within their respective scopes of application to assess risks arising from hazardous substances in the workplace and implement appropriate protective measures. This applies in particular to industrial and company fire brigades.
At the same time, industrial and professional fire brigades have the technical expertise, organizational structures and financial resources to systematically evaluate advanced post-incident hygiene procedures and integrate them into existing protection concepts - capabilities that, unfortunately, many municipal administrations lack.
Setting an Example for the Entire Fire Service
The health risks associated with fire residues affect both career and volunteer firefighters alike. While many volunteer fire brigades face similar challenges with significantly more limited personnel and financial resources, professional fire service organizations can test new procedures, gain practical experience and thereby contribute to the advancement of post-incident hygiene practices.
Against this background, supplementary decontamination methods are becoming increasingly important. The Oxy3 process uses the oxidative properties of ozone in combination with water vapor to treat hazardous substances and odors. It is designed, among other applications, for the decontamination of suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), operational equipment and emergency response vehicle interiors. The process is used as part of a coordinated decontamination concept and does not replace the necessary pre-cleaning or other essential hygiene measures.
Technical Exchange and Valuable Insights
The invitation to the WFV Bayern autumn seminar provided an excellent opportunity to discuss hazardous substance exposure and decontamination with experts from industrial and professional fire brigades.
We would like to thank the Bavarian Industrial Fire Brigades Association for the invitation, the participants for their strong interest and numerous questions, and our sales partner Birnthaler for its presence at the event.
For more information about the technology and its potential applications, visit our Oxy3 website.
Sources
- Bavarian Industrial Fire Brigades Association (WFV Bayern): Autumn Seminar 2026, Day 2 Programme “Operations and Technology”, October 21, 2026. Official Event Programme (PDF)
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO: Occupational Exposure as a Firefighter, IARC Monographs, Volume 132, 2023. View Publication
- German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV): DGUV Information 205-035, Hygiene and Contamination Prevention in Fire Services, May 2020 edition. View Publication
- Republic of Austria: Austrian Employee Protection Act (ASchG), particularly Sections 1, 4, 41 and 43. Austrian Legal Information System (RIS)
- Oxy3 Ozongeräte Produktion GmbH: Product information and technical application guidance for the Oxy3 process. www.oxy3.at