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Gas Detection TALKING POINT
Alaska last updated mercury pollution limits in 2003, warns EPA How are mercury concentration limits decided in the US?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed signifi cant concerns about Alaska’s handling of water pollution, particularly with regard to mercury levels, and has issued a formal determination urging the state to update its outdated water pollution rules. Federal law mandates that states review and update their water pollution limits every three years. However, Alaska has not updated its standards since 2003, despite the clear requirement and ongoing discussions about necessary revisions. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been working on updating its water quality standards since 2013 but has yet to release a draft, even after assuring the EPA that one would be ready by the end of last year.
EPA Region 10’s Acting Director of the Water Division, Caleb Shaff er, emphasized the need for revised water quality standards to protect Alaskan residents. He indicated that while the EPA prefers Alaska to address these concerns independently, the federal agency is prepared to intervene if necessary. This situation underscores the EPA’s readiness to ensure compliance with federal environmental laws to safeguard public health.
A critical aspect of setting water pollution limits is the average fi sh consumption rate among residents. The current standards in Alaska are based on an outdated estimate of 6.5 grams of fi sh per day, a fi gure set in 1992 for the general American population. This low estimate does not accurately refl ect the dietary habits of many Alaskans, particularly those in rural areas who rely heavily on fi sh as a primary food source.
Research and environmental groups have argued for a higher fi sh consumption estimate to be used in setting pollution limits. For instance, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Coalition proposed an estimate of 175 grams per day for subsistence fi shers. This adjustment would lead to stricter water quality standards, thus providing better protection against pollutants like mercury and DDT, which can accumulate in fi sh and pose serious health risks.
Recent studies support the need for updated standards. In 2019, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game found that urban Alaskans consume an average of 8.9 grams of fi sh per day, while rural residents, particularly in western Alaska, consume nearly 195 grams per day. This discrepancy indicates that many Alaskans are exposed to higher levels of water
Sensitron SMART 3G series - Gas detectors for all applications pollution than those in other states.
Compounding the issue is Alaska’s acceptance of a higher cancer risk from pollution, with an allowable rate of 1 in 100,000 compared to stricter limits of 1 in 1,000,000 or 1 in 10,000,000 in other states. Environmental advocates like Mary Catharine Martin from SalmonState argue that the state’s use of outdated fi sh consumption rates fails to protect public health adequately.
What is causing mercury pollution in Alaska?
Adding to the environmental challenges in Alaska is the long-term contamination from the Red Devil Mine, a historic mercury mining site. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently approved a comprehensive plan to clean up the remaining contamination, focusing on tailings that contain high levels of mercury, arsenic, and antimony. This cleanup eff ort, expected to cost around $40 million and last for 30 years, aims to mitigate ongoing environmental risks and protect the Kuskokwim River region.
Sensitron, part of the Halma Group and on the market for 36 years, recognized as a leading name in gas detection nationally and internationally, kicks off a campaign dedicated to the SMART 3G series of gas detectors. The goal of this campaign is to maintain the elements that distinguish its new way of communicating, engaging more with the European market and maintaining the use of unconventional colors within the industrial sector to better portray a message of safety and peace of mind. In addition, the creation of new 3D renderings of the gas detectors allows it to pursue along the path already taken with the implementation of augmented and virtual reality: to offer an immersive and interactive experience in order to enhance the customer experience. Complementing the campaign is a simple and straightforward claim: choose SMART 3G detectors for gas detection in classifi ed and unclassifi ed areas. SMART
3G detectors are perfect for refrigerant, fl ammable, toxic and oxygen gas detection and are available with catalytic, infrared, PID and electrochemical cell sensors. With ATEX, IECEx, SIL2 hardware and SIL3 software certifi cations, they ensure on- time detection in even the most diffi cult application environments. The SMART 3G C2, part of the SMART 3G series, allow
to monitor toxic, fl ammable and refrigerant gas contents in industrial environments and classifi ed areas. Ideal in industrial environments, the SMART3G-C2 feature one man calibration via the STS/CKD+ calibration keypad. The SMART3G-C2 detectors can reliably monitor fl ammable compounds (% LFL), toxic compounds and refrigerant gases in ppm, Oxygen
and CO2
contents in % by vol. It can mount infrared, catalytic, PID, and electrochemical cell technology sensors, depending on the type of gas to be detected, the application environment, and the necessary specifi cations. The SMART 3G C2 gas detector is also available as a version with a display (SMART 3G D2) and without a display but with the LED ring (SMART 3G C2-LD).
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Wi.Tec offers modular gas detection systems which provide an excellent solution for a host of different measurement tasks, including some of the most complex industrial gas analysis tasks.
The technologies have been developed in-house by the highly experienced team at Wi.Tec to cope with many tasks that were hitherto a major challenge. Wi.Tec utilise an array of measurement technology to ensure that the best solution is at hand. The highly innovative German company have cutting edge NDIR (non-dispersive infrared), NDUV (non-dispersive ultraviolet) UVRAS (ultraviolet resonance absorption spectroscopy) EC (electrochemical) as well as other options including a humidity sensor.
Wi.Tec are not resting on their laurels and are constantly developing new technological enhancements to keep the art of industrial gas detection and analysis moving forward. More information online:
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IET ANNUAL BUYERS’ GUIDE 2024/25
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The potential release of mercury from thawing permafrost due to climate change is another signifi cant concern. Research by the National Snow and Ice Data Center suggests that without signifi cant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, mercury levels in fi sh in the Yukon River could exceed EPA criteria by 2050. This scenario underscores the interconnectedness of environmental health issues and the need for comprehensive, science-based approaches to pollution management.
The EPA’s pressure on Alaska to update its water pollution standards is a critical step towards ensuring the health and safety of its residents. By addressing outdated fi sh consumption estimates and implementing stricter pollution controls, Alaska can better protect its environment and public health.
Modular gas sensor systems cater to some of the industry’s most complex gas analysis challenges
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