Mercury was used during the process of felt hat manufacturing in the 1800s. This era gave rise to the expression ‘mad as a hatter’ as workers showed symptoms such as confusion, difficulty talking and trembling as a result of mercury poisoning. Mercury is known to have a toxic effect on the nervous, digestive and immune systems and is one of the top ten chemicals of major public concern of the World Health Organization. These days, mercury exposure most commonly occurs through consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish or inhalation during industrial processes. When released to the atmosphere, mercury can travel global distances and can persist as a gas for 6-12 months before being cycled between land and ocean ecosystems. Mercury bioaccumulates in fish and shellfish and biomagnifies as it moves up the food chain to large predatory fish, resulting in an increased toxic effect on people when consumed. There is ongoing research to understand the implications of environmental cycling of mercury in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere. Research findings will assist in the development of improved management practices regulating mercury emissions. Australia is a signatory to the Minimata Convention on Mercury and Emissions to address the release of mercury throughout its lifecycle: mining, import and export, manufacture into products, emission and releases, contaminated sites, storage, waste management, recovery and reuse. Australia is expected to ratify the agreement soon, which is likely to result in additional regulatory requirements for the use of mercury on a national level for all industries. Currently, regulations for pollution control in Australia fall under state and territory government jurisdiction, and there is considerable variation in the regulatory requirements of mercury across the country. The National Pollution Inventory (NPI) requires industries exceeding a minimum threshold limit to monitor and report emissions on an annual basis. NPI data provides opportunities for companies to benchmark emissions against similar industries, improve manufacturing processes and measure current environmental performance. Monitoring emissions is vital for protecting the environment and the health of employees and the public. In particular, mercury monitoring is important to minimize the risk of exposure which may lead to adverse effects on both health and the environment. “Mercury monitoring technology is essential for future planning, reducing employee and public risk and protecting the environment.” Norditech Pty Ltd provides innovative solutions for all your mercury monitoring needs. Effective detection of mercury is key to achieve your work health and safety objectives and meet your compliance requirements. Give us a call for further information on 1300 572 872. Air Quality Monitoring Experts in Australia Air Quality Monitoring in Australia Environmental Monitoring in Australia

1. AccordingtotheGlobalCentre
forEnvironmentalRemediation,
over$2billionayearisspent
cleaningupcontaminatedland
andwater.
Contaminated land is often the legacy of industry activity. The land is
contaminated when a substance exceeds the naturally occurring levels
and poses a risk to persons or the environment. Mining and
manufacturing industries, service stations, waste disposal, agriculture,
and the use of chemicals are known sources of contaminated land.
Australia has an estimated 160,000 contaminated sites. According to the Global Centre for Environmental
Remediation, over $2billion a year is spent cleaning up contaminated land and water.
Australian States and Territories are individually responsible for regulating contaminated land. However, the
Australian Government sets a national standard for a consistent assessment of contaminated sites.
Land redevelopment or approval conditions are common triggers for site remediation. Knowledge of previous
land use assists in understanding the potential contaminants such as metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides,
and solvents. Soil contaminants may contribute to decades of emissions to air, surface water, or
groundwater.
Metals can remain dormant in the soil for years and are known to concentrate in certain areas. Metals do
not decay and remain a risk when they dissolve into air or water. Toxic metal contamination can occur from
smelting, electroplating, fly ash from coal-fired power stations, and bauxite refining. Mercury is released
through mining activities cycles through soil and water and can travel global distances once released to the
atmosphere.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals known to vaporize to air and dissolve into groundwater.
VOCs are emitted through combustion processes, manufacturing industries, and other industries using
organic-based solvents.
A wide variety of VOCs are soil pollutants and include benzene, toluene, xylene, and tetrachloroethylene.
Crude oil and natural gas are typically the largest sources of hydrocarbons introduced to the environment.
Construction on contaminated land creates health issues as VOCs infiltrate indoor air quality at higher
concentrations.
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2. Contaminated sites have the potential to emit significant atmospheric contaminants, including nitrogen
oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and ozone through varying industry sources.
Disturbance of soil poses a health risk when airborne contaminants are released. Dust contaminants
depend on the size and nature of particulate matter (PM). Particle size less than 10 microns (PM10) poses a
health risk through inhalation, with the most significant risk from fine particles (PM2.5), which can penetrate
the lungs and bloodstream.
Asbestos poses the most significant risk when fibres are exposed and friable. Friable asbestos can generate
airborne fibres when easily broken by hand and may require regulated air monitoring during management.
Soil asbestos is often the remains of demolition asbestos waste products such as thermal lagging from
power stations or discarded insulation.
Contaminants released to the surrounding surface and groundwater can affect drinking water, food crops,
and the biotic environment. Environmental and health limits for water contaminants and suspended
particles are managed through the ANZECC guidelines and the National Water Quality Management
Strategy.
There is an extensive array of emissions produced from contaminated land. Monitoring of contaminated
land emissions is essential during the remediation process to protect workers and the environment and meet
compliance requirements. Regularly monitoring air, dust, and water quality should be undertaken throughout
the remediation process.
Norditech Pty Ltd provides innovative solutions for all your emissions monitoring needs. Effective monitoring
is key to achieve your work health and safety objectives and meet your compliance requirements. Give us a
call for further information on 1300 572 872.
Sources
CRC Care: https://www.crccare.com/publications
Environment Protection Authority Victoria: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/-/media/epa/files/publications/929.pdf
Global Centre for Remediation: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centre/gcer
National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination)
Measure: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013C00288
Safe Work NSW: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/329171/Managing-asbestos-
in-soil-guide.pdf
Plant, R., Wilmot, K. and Ege, C. (2014) Contaminated Soil Wastes in Australia. [Prepared for the Australian
Department of the Environment]. Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology,
Sydney: https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/35be09f5-cb2e-488d-baec-
63585a13fc70/files/contaminated-soil-wastes-australia.pdf
Science
Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0304389491870719#:~:text=A%20wide%20variety%20of%20volatile,principal%20pollutants%20in%20contaminated%20sites.&tex
Soil Science Australia: https://www.soilscienceaustralia.org.au/about/about-soil/
United Nations Environmental Programme: https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/chemicals-
waste/what-we-do/mercury/global-mercury-assessment
Water Quality Australia: https://www.waterquality.gov.au/guidelines/anz-fresh-marine
WHO: https://www.who.int/airpollution/ambient/pollutants/en/
WhyOptimalIncineratorManagementIsKeytoReducingMedicalWasteEmissions?
HowContaminatedLandRemediationAffectsAirandWaterQuality
IsMercuryMonitoringEssential?
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