Harmful substances are released during fires. When certain plastics burn, dioxins are formed. These dioxins can settle on farmland and can enter the food chain. Due to the toxicity, assessing dioxin emissions in large fires is necessary, but the process is laborious and time-consuming. With their DREAMS2, we can potentially assess dioxin emission within one hour from arrival on the incident site! By saving time with the DREAMS2, we can provide better advice to the authorities and reduce uncertainty for farmers and citizens in affected areas. The DREAMS2 is an air filter - electrochemical sensors system equipped with remote communication capabilities. With the DREAMS2, it is possible to sample smoke particulate matter on a filter. The sensors are primarily used by the operator to determine whether the drone is flying in the smoke plume. After the drone lands, the filter is removed and is immediately available for analysis. The filter is analyzed using mobile XRF (X-ray fluorescence) to determine the chlorine content, this takes 20 minutes. The result is then compared with our unique historical dataset, which correlates XRF and dioxin measurements from previous incidents. In this way, the formation of dioxin can be determined based on the presence or absence of chorine in de smoke. This is an already proven method that can be accelerated using a drone. After successful laboratory tests with the DREAMS2, we are now conducting large-scale tests, in which we actually fly and sample smoke. Next, we will deploy the unit at real fires in collaboration with the local fire departments. We will further investigate if the system can also be used in other types of CBRN incidents and analyze other hazardous substances like heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic compounds, conduct biological analyses like PCR and Next generation sequences (NGS) and even carry out radiological analyses.
Contact
The primary objective of this project is to develop and deploy the DREAMS2 system for the rapid and reliable detection of dioxin emissions during large fires. The system is designed to collect smoke samples using a drone, filter the air, and analyze the samples immediately on site with mobile XRF technology. The results of this analysis are compared to a unique historical dataset that correlates XRF data with dioxin measurements from previous incidents. As a result, dioxin emissions can be assessed within one hour. The project also aims to further test the system in realistic scenarios, including actual fires. Additionally, the project will investigate its applicability to other CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) events. The system can be used to analyze other substances such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic compounds, biological agents (via PCR and Next Generation Sequencing), and even radiological components. With this project, we contribute to improving incident response. Dioxins released during large-scale fires can settle on farmland and enter the food chain, posing risks to both animals and humans. Thanks to the rapid situational coverage and analytical speed of the DREAMS2 system, authorities can be informed earlier about the potential risk to public health and food safety, reducing unnecessary uncertainty and enabling targeted measures to be taken more quickly.
The DREAMS2 system offers several key strengths that set it apart from traditional methods of monitoring hazardous emissions during large fires. One of the main advantages is its speed: the DREAMS2, results can be obtained within just one hour. This rapid turnaround is crucial for timely decision-making by authorities, allowing for quicker responses and reducing uncertainty for affected farmers and citizens. Another strength is the system’s remote operation and flexibility. By using drones equipped with the DREAMS2, dangerous or hard-to-reach areas can be accessed without exposing personnel to risk. The sensors guide the operator to ensure the drone is sampling directly within the smoke plume, which improves the reliability and representativeness of the collected samples. A major innovation of the DREAMS2 is it rapid deployability, the integration of on-site XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis, and the use of historical incident data. The air filters are analyzed immediately after sampling, with chlorine content measured in only 20 minutes. These results are then compared to a unique historical dataset that correlates XRF data with actual dioxin levels from previous incidents. This smart data-driven approach enables accurate estimation of dioxin emissions in real time, a significant improvement over traditional methods that rely on lengthy lab procedures. The modular design of DREAMS2 is also highly innovative. While initially focused on dioxin detection, the system can be expanded to analyze other hazardous substances, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and biological and radiological threats. This versatility makes DREAMS2 suitable for a wide range of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) incidents.
The DREAMS2 system addresses several critical problems associated with measuring and assessing hazardous emissions during large fires. Traditionally, assessing dioxin emissions is a time-consuming process. Any delay means that authorities, farmers, and residents are left uncertain about possible health and environmental risks for an extended period. During this time, contaminated areas might remain closed unnecessarily, or people could be exposed to hazardous substances without timely warning. During fires the RIVM Environmental Incident Service can already deploy Medium Volume Samplers (MVS) for collecting particular matter smoke samples and assess possible dioxin emission using mobile XRF. However, deployment of these MVS units during fires is limited by their weight and sometimes by weather conditions and most important: MVS samples are taken at ground level rather than directly from the smoke plume. Collecting accurate samples can then be difficult in very buoyant smoke plumes. DREAMS2 solves this problem by enabling rapid and targeted response. Using a drone equipped with air filters and sensors, the system collects smoke samples directly from the fire plume. The filters are then analyzed immediately with mobile XRF technology, and the results are compared to a unique historical dataset to estimate dioxin levels within one hour. This fast turnaround allows authorities to make informed decisions much sooner, reducing uncertainty and enabling quicker protective actions for both the public and the environment. In addition, DREAMS2 improves safety for emergency responders by allowing remote sampling in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas, and its modular design means it can be adapted to detect other dangerous substances in a wide range of CBRN incidents.
The Environmental Incident Service can be international deployed at the request of the EU, we are registered in the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS) as “other capacity: Enviromental Assesment Unit (EAU)” and part of the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP).
The Environmental Incident Service has a dedicated program for knowledge development and innovation. Team members have formed a project team consisting of a project leader/ principal investigator, several technical engineers and a PhD-student to design, build and test the DREAMS2.
The Environmental Incident Service can be international deployed at the request of the EU, we are registered in the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS) as “other capacity: Enviromental Assesment Unit (EAU)” and part of the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP).
The Environmental Incident Service has a dedicated program for knowledge development and innovation. Team members have formed a project team consisting of a project leader/ principal investigator, several technical engineers and a PhD-student to design, build and test the DREAMS2.