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Tanker owners praised but asked to do better
Volume 10/Number 12/December1979 CONCAWE, the oil companies' international study group, to commission the report. CONCAWE asked two internationally-respected consultants to conduct the review. Dr Jenifer M. Baker, of the Field Studies Council in the UK, considered the marine environment, which receives effluent from most of the older refineries. Dr L. Huber, of the Bavarian Institute for Water Research, Munich, examined the effects in fresh water, into which many of the newer refineries discharge. Their two independent reviews form the main part of the report, which also includes a brief introduction to oil refining in Europe, and to the sources, characteristics, and methods of treatment applicable to refinery waste waters. The study came in the wake of an EEC Directive on oil pollution of surface waters. It concludes that the three 'danger' criteria of toxicity, persistence, and bio-accumulation are very difficult to apply to refinery effluents, since their complexity and the variability of receiving waters makes measurement impracticable. In practice, refinery effluents are found to be relatively innocuous, although primary treatment may result in discharges which show some acutely toxic effects when undiluted. The traditional coastal location of oil refineries, discharging into estuaries or tidal waters, often results in rapid reduction of effluent concentrations by dilution - so no adverse environmental effects may be observed. Inland refineries usually carry out either physical or biological secondary treatment, which can eliminate any possible ecological effects, even from undiluted effluent. The report calls for further study of the relationship between the composition of refinery effluent and toxicity, and the standardization throughout Europe of effluent parameters which should be controlled.
Lead in Food The Lead in Food Regulations, 1979, laid before Parliament on 12 October 1979, and coming into effect on 12 April 1980, will set new maximum limits for lead in specified foods, reduce the general limit of the lead content in food from 2.0 mg kg -1 to 1.0 mg kg -~ and introduce specific limits, for the first time, for lead in fish (2.0 mg k g - q and shellfish (10.0 mg kg-~). These regulations are made under the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, which apply only in England and Wales; they amend and supersede the Lead in Food Regulations of 1961, as amended. It is expected that similar regulations will be made for Scotland and Northern Ireland under the appropriate Food and Drugs Acts. The regulations result from advice tendered by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee which has in progress " a review of metals in canned foods, including the influence of canning technology on their presence in such products". Further recommendations for changes may emerge later. No problems are likely to be created for marketing fresh fish and shellfish by these new regulations. Existing levels of lead in these products are generally below the suggested limits. Enforcement may well present some difficulties because the accurate determination of lead content is difficult and there is the ever present risk of contamination
by airborne lead during sampling, processing and analysis resulting an artificially high determinations. The new regulations and the general tightening up that they represent, may be seen as evidence of renewed anxiety about the intake of lead in the population, particularly young children, and a feeling in official circles that the contribution from canned seafood may be significant and needs to be more closely controlled. Whether any changes in canning technology are needed will emerge from later reports by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee. No doubt the Torrey Research Station of MAFF has the matter under consideration and will make the appropriate recommendations if they are needed.
Pesticide Pollution A call for greater awareness of the pollution caused by agricultural pesticides in Britain has been made in a report by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The report criticizes the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for its emphasis on productivity rather than public health. But the Commission has not satisfied many environmentalists, because although it recognizes the rising levels of nitrate in water due to the use of nitrogenous fertilizers, it strongly doubts the health hazards associated with this. The Commission also states that the reduction of nitrate levels in water could probably not be achieved by using less fertilizers. It would be cheaper for water authorities to treat polluted water than to reduce agricultural productivity by restricting the use of fertilizers.
Action Call from Biologists A call for stronger government action on marine pollution has been made in a memorandum approved by 200 biologists. The 14th European Marine Biology Symposium held recently in Heligoland discussed the effects of the Amoco Cadiz disaster, but greater concern was expressed about more regular kinds of pollution to the marine environment. The meeting discussed in particular three main problems: the destruction of the marine habitat, exploitation of living resources, and the threats of long-term pollution confirmed in recent scientific reports. The conference called for new technology to reduce waste disposal into the sea, the development of new methods of health assessment in the environment, and the closer involvement of scientists when such new decisions or policies are made.
Tanker Owners Praised but Asked to do Better The Secretary General of IMCO, Mr C.P. Srivastava, has told the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation that oil pollution of the sea could be greatly reduced if they took action in four specific areas. Speaking at the 10th anniversary dinner of TOVALOP the tanker owners' compensation scheme, Mr Srivastava, who praised the industry for its efforts to improve safety and reduce pollution, said that action was needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 'load on top' system.
Marine Pollution Bulletin He called for the early ratification of further tanker safety and anti-pollution measures adopted by IMCO last year; the provision of adequate shore reception facilities, particularly for oily wastes in important centres where none exist; and a scheme for regional cooperation to combat pollution in which the developing technical services of the Federation could provide useful aid.
Cadmium Recovery A new system has been devised by the British Electricity Council Research Centre to help electronics firms recover poisonous cadmium waste. The 'Chemelec cell', based on the simple principle of electrolysis, has already been installed by a South Wales electronics firm. The system is recovering about 10 kg of cadmium per month that would otherwise have been discharged as sewage waste.
Radiation Hazards A recent report of a study carried out jointly by the UK National Radiation Protection Board and the French Commissariat ~ l'Energie Atomique for the Commission of European Communities deals with the health hazard of radioactive emissions. An attempt has been made to establish comprehensive methods for assessing the total health detriment to the populations of the European Communities due to liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents during the normal operation of nuclear plants. The study was undertaken as part of an investigation of the difference in radioactive impact of the nuclear fuel cycle if plutonium were to be recycled in Light Water Reactors instead of restricting the fuel to uranium. Health detriment is expressed as the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cancers in the exposed population and hereditary effects in its descendents. The report describes the development of mathematical models which will allow this to be estimated. The report (Doc W3011/75 EN) can be obtained free of charge from the Commission of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Training Course in Estuarine Biology Following the very successful course in estuarine hydrography run experimentally by the Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association last year, a further l-week course based at Heriot-Watt University has been arranged for Spring 1980. This course will deal with the biology of estuaries and is designed to be particularly suitable for water authority and river purification board staff, and staff of other laboratories engaged in environmental measurement and interpretation. The course is intended to be a wide-ranging introduction to practical aspects of the subject which will include sampling techniques, design of sampling programmes, interpretation of results, production measurement and introductory organism identification. It will supplement further courses elsewhere which deal solely with identification. The course is open to anyone interested, and further details of syllabus, cost etc. can be obtained from Dr M. Wilkinson, Department of Brewing and Biological Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Chambers Street, Edingurgh EH1 1HX. 346
Round-the-World News Hong Kong A recent report has stated that beaches around Hong Kong are so badly polluted that they would be closed down if the government there enforced limits proposed by the World Health Organization. Dr Brian Morton, a marine biologist at Hong Kong University, who has studied Hong Kong's waters for 9 years, said that it is the most popular beaches that are the worst polluted, and that the high incidence of hepatitis and other diseases is probably due to contaminated seafood and swimming in polluted waters. It is estimated that 160 I. of sewage per person per day flows into the harbour, and he predicts that soon very little of Hong Kong's original seashore will be left.
United Kingdom Giant flasks of radioactive liquid are likely to be regularly transported by sea from northern Scotland to the Windscale nuclear plant in Cumbria in the near future. The Atomic Energy Authority say that the flasks, weighing over 20 tons and containing plutonium nitrate from the Dounreay reactor are too big to go by rail or air, and it is safer to transport the dangerous liquid by sea.
Mediterranean A broad agreement to control the most serious pollution threats to the Mediterranean has been reached by most of the 18 Mediterranean governments and the European Economic Community. About 80% of all municipal sewage now enters the sea untreated or inadequately treated, and along with factory waste, pesticides and fertilizers, endangers the health of the Mediterranean surrounding areas, and the 100 000 000 tourists who visit it every year. It is hoped that the Mediterranean governments will hold a diplomatic conference in Athens next spring and sign the treaty.
England The English North-West Water Authority has said it will not be able to pay a £25 million bill to clean up the sea at Blackpool to meet the stringent health standards for bathing waters laid down by the EED. Chairman Mr George Man said that the number of bathers at Blackpool was not high enough for it to be given priority for grants and that the sea provided no danger to public health.
United States of America The Californian Court of Appeals has found four public employee unions in the city of San Francisco equally liable for pollution to the bay caused by raw wastewater discharged during the 6-day treatment plant workers' strike in 1974. The court ruled that the state of California, which brought the action, should be awarded the full penalty of $10 000 per day of violation. The fine was apportioned between the city and the four unions involved.
United States of America Several major public interest groups have reacted strongly to President Carter's plans to commercialize synthetic
Lead in Food The Lead in Food Regulations, 1979, laid before Parliament on 12 October 1979, and coming into effect on 12 April 1980, will set new maximum limits for lead in specified foods, reduce the general limit of the lead content in food from 2.0 mg kg -1 to 1.0 mg kg -~ and introduce specific limits, for the first time, for lead in fish (2.0 mg k g - q and shellfish (10.0 mg kg-~). These regulations are made under the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, which apply only in England and Wales; they amend and supersede the Lead in Food Regulations of 1961, as amended. It is expected that similar regulations will be made for Scotland and Northern Ireland under the appropriate Food and Drugs Acts. The regulations result from advice tendered by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee which has in progress " a review of metals in canned foods, including the influence of canning technology on their presence in such products". Further recommendations for changes may emerge later. No problems are likely to be created for marketing fresh fish and shellfish by these new regulations. Existing levels of lead in these products are generally below the suggested limits. Enforcement may well present some difficulties because the accurate determination of lead content is difficult and there is the ever present risk of contamination
by airborne lead during sampling, processing and analysis resulting an artificially high determinations. The new regulations and the general tightening up that they represent, may be seen as evidence of renewed anxiety about the intake of lead in the population, particularly young children, and a feeling in official circles that the contribution from canned seafood may be significant and needs to be more closely controlled. Whether any changes in canning technology are needed will emerge from later reports by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee. No doubt the Torrey Research Station of MAFF has the matter under consideration and will make the appropriate recommendations if they are needed.
Pesticide Pollution A call for greater awareness of the pollution caused by agricultural pesticides in Britain has been made in a report by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The report criticizes the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for its emphasis on productivity rather than public health. But the Commission has not satisfied many environmentalists, because although it recognizes the rising levels of nitrate in water due to the use of nitrogenous fertilizers, it strongly doubts the health hazards associated with this. The Commission also states that the reduction of nitrate levels in water could probably not be achieved by using less fertilizers. It would be cheaper for water authorities to treat polluted water than to reduce agricultural productivity by restricting the use of fertilizers.
Action Call from Biologists A call for stronger government action on marine pollution has been made in a memorandum approved by 200 biologists. The 14th European Marine Biology Symposium held recently in Heligoland discussed the effects of the Amoco Cadiz disaster, but greater concern was expressed about more regular kinds of pollution to the marine environment. The meeting discussed in particular three main problems: the destruction of the marine habitat, exploitation of living resources, and the threats of long-term pollution confirmed in recent scientific reports. The conference called for new technology to reduce waste disposal into the sea, the development of new methods of health assessment in the environment, and the closer involvement of scientists when such new decisions or policies are made.
Tanker Owners Praised but Asked to do Better The Secretary General of IMCO, Mr C.P. Srivastava, has told the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation that oil pollution of the sea could be greatly reduced if they took action in four specific areas. Speaking at the 10th anniversary dinner of TOVALOP the tanker owners' compensation scheme, Mr Srivastava, who praised the industry for its efforts to improve safety and reduce pollution, said that action was needed to ensure the effective implementation of the 'load on top' system.
Marine Pollution Bulletin He called for the early ratification of further tanker safety and anti-pollution measures adopted by IMCO last year; the provision of adequate shore reception facilities, particularly for oily wastes in important centres where none exist; and a scheme for regional cooperation to combat pollution in which the developing technical services of the Federation could provide useful aid.
Cadmium Recovery A new system has been devised by the British Electricity Council Research Centre to help electronics firms recover poisonous cadmium waste. The 'Chemelec cell', based on the simple principle of electrolysis, has already been installed by a South Wales electronics firm. The system is recovering about 10 kg of cadmium per month that would otherwise have been discharged as sewage waste.
Radiation Hazards A recent report of a study carried out jointly by the UK National Radiation Protection Board and the French Commissariat ~ l'Energie Atomique for the Commission of European Communities deals with the health hazard of radioactive emissions. An attempt has been made to establish comprehensive methods for assessing the total health detriment to the populations of the European Communities due to liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents during the normal operation of nuclear plants. The study was undertaken as part of an investigation of the difference in radioactive impact of the nuclear fuel cycle if plutonium were to be recycled in Light Water Reactors instead of restricting the fuel to uranium. Health detriment is expressed as the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cancers in the exposed population and hereditary effects in its descendents. The report describes the development of mathematical models which will allow this to be estimated. The report (Doc W3011/75 EN) can be obtained free of charge from the Commission of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Training Course in Estuarine Biology Following the very successful course in estuarine hydrography run experimentally by the Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association last year, a further l-week course based at Heriot-Watt University has been arranged for Spring 1980. This course will deal with the biology of estuaries and is designed to be particularly suitable for water authority and river purification board staff, and staff of other laboratories engaged in environmental measurement and interpretation. The course is intended to be a wide-ranging introduction to practical aspects of the subject which will include sampling techniques, design of sampling programmes, interpretation of results, production measurement and introductory organism identification. It will supplement further courses elsewhere which deal solely with identification. The course is open to anyone interested, and further details of syllabus, cost etc. can be obtained from Dr M. Wilkinson, Department of Brewing and Biological Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Chambers Street, Edingurgh EH1 1HX. 346
Round-the-World News Hong Kong A recent report has stated that beaches around Hong Kong are so badly polluted that they would be closed down if the government there enforced limits proposed by the World Health Organization. Dr Brian Morton, a marine biologist at Hong Kong University, who has studied Hong Kong's waters for 9 years, said that it is the most popular beaches that are the worst polluted, and that the high incidence of hepatitis and other diseases is probably due to contaminated seafood and swimming in polluted waters. It is estimated that 160 I. of sewage per person per day flows into the harbour, and he predicts that soon very little of Hong Kong's original seashore will be left.
United Kingdom Giant flasks of radioactive liquid are likely to be regularly transported by sea from northern Scotland to the Windscale nuclear plant in Cumbria in the near future. The Atomic Energy Authority say that the flasks, weighing over 20 tons and containing plutonium nitrate from the Dounreay reactor are too big to go by rail or air, and it is safer to transport the dangerous liquid by sea.
Mediterranean A broad agreement to control the most serious pollution threats to the Mediterranean has been reached by most of the 18 Mediterranean governments and the European Economic Community. About 80% of all municipal sewage now enters the sea untreated or inadequately treated, and along with factory waste, pesticides and fertilizers, endangers the health of the Mediterranean surrounding areas, and the 100 000 000 tourists who visit it every year. It is hoped that the Mediterranean governments will hold a diplomatic conference in Athens next spring and sign the treaty.
England The English North-West Water Authority has said it will not be able to pay a £25 million bill to clean up the sea at Blackpool to meet the stringent health standards for bathing waters laid down by the EED. Chairman Mr George Man said that the number of bathers at Blackpool was not high enough for it to be given priority for grants and that the sea provided no danger to public health.
United States of America The Californian Court of Appeals has found four public employee unions in the city of San Francisco equally liable for pollution to the bay caused by raw wastewater discharged during the 6-day treatment plant workers' strike in 1974. The court ruled that the state of California, which brought the action, should be awarded the full penalty of $10 000 per day of violation. The fine was apportioned between the city and the four unions involved.
United States of America Several major public interest groups have reacted strongly to President Carter's plans to commercialize synthetic