Verein des
Hygiene-Instituts des Ruhrgebiets e.V.
Hygiene-Institut
des Ruhrgebiets
Institut für Umwelthygiene und Toxikologie
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We are the Ruhr District Institute of Hygiene

In the heart of the Ruhr area and active worldwide


In our densely populated region with more than 5 million people, hygiene is a real challenge. Drinking water supply and wastewater treatment, waste disposal and contaminated sites, product testing, and product recycling: all this requires our utmost attention. In the Ruhr region, in Europe, and also worldwide.

Our history is our mission


The founding of the Hygiene Institute at the beginning of the 20th century can be traced back to Robert Koch. When a typhus epidemic claimed many victims in Gelsenkirchen in late summer 1901, Koch demanded drastic measures to improve and monitor water quality. As early as May 1902, the newly founded Hygiene Institute began its work under the umbrella of an independent supporting association.

Competent and independent


With its ideal combination of experience, expertise, and independence, the Hygiene Institute is one of the largest and most modern institutions of its kind in Europe.

Our tradition is our commitment. You can rely on it.

Preventive environmental and health protection


The focal points of our work are the critical (environmental) issues of our time, which are crucial for our modern society. Environmental protection and consumer health protection are priority work areas of our institute. We regularly test natural resources (water, soil, air). We detect building pollutants and other contaminants. And we test products before they are launched on the market to prevent adverse effects on drinking water or food and protect people's health.

Use our website


You can find information about our institute and its supporting association under "The Institute". Details on our range of services await you under "Our services".

Our laboratories are accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018; we are a recognized drinking water testing laboratory. Details under "Quality without compromise".

The fastest way for us to respond to inquiries is by e-mail. We will be happy to prepare an offer tailored to your requirements.
Live from ISH 2025 - visit us now!
Bild ish.jpg ISH 2025 is in full swing and we are right in the middle of the action! Come by and talk to our team.
Location: Messe Frankfurt - Hall 4.1, Stand H81 from March 17-21, 2025
Take the opportunity for exciting discussions and exclusive insights - we look forward to seeing you!
Introducing: Our “Hygienic Building Technology” department
Bild world children's day instagram post(5).png The “Hygienic Building Services Engineering” department is pleased to introduce its new head of department, Stephanie Knes. The department will continue to be your competent contact for hygiene conformity tests in accordance with VDI 6022, Sheet 1 and other ventilation-related standards. Our team will be happy to advise you on the implementation of the hygiene requirements of VDI 6022 with regard to structural, technical and organizational influences on the planning, production, design and maintenance of ventilation and air-conditioning systems and appliances. As part of these conformity tests, we offer the necessary material tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 846 as well as the required emission test. We also offer operators of ventilation and air-conditioning systems an independent assessment of their ventilation and air-conditioning system and air-conditioned rooms in the form of a hygiene inspection.

In addition, we are pleased to offer our customers who are subject to the 42nd BImSchV an officially recognized sampling and analysis of Legionella, general colony count and, if required, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

If you have any further questions, please contact me as head of department or my team. Please call 0209-9242-239 or send an e-mail to klimatechnik@hyg.de



Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Coming Soon: Our new website!
Bild screenshot.png It's almost time - our new, improved website is going online! You can look forward to a fresh design, even better user guidance and lots of new features. Stay tuned!

Launch coming soon - we'll keep you up to date!
New & interactive: Our digital advertising brochure 2025 is here!
Bild broschüre.png Discover our service portfolio in a whole new way! Our interactive advertising brochure gives you exciting insights - compact and intuitive.

Take a look at here and be inspired! It is also available for download at here.
Last change: 18.03.2025 09:54:10