Industrial pollution & mercury are a problem impacting our health and environment.

The EEA report ‘Mercury in Europe’s environment – A priority for European and global action’ describes the problem of mercury pollution and the challenges in addressing the issue globally. From dental fillings to fish we eat, we might all be exposed to mercury.

According to the report, mercury presents the biggest risk in rivers, lakes and oceans where it takes a highly toxic form that is absorbed by animals, including fish. The most recent monitoring data for water bodies shows that nearly 46 000 surface water bodies in the EU, out of approximately 111 000, are not meeting mercury levels set to protect fish-eating birds and mammals.

Humans become exposed to mercury mainly when they eat large predator fish, such as tuna or monkfish, that have been eating smaller fish with mercury in their bodies. Mercury presents a particular and significant risk to the neurological development of foetuses, newborn babies and children.

Current emissions of mercury in Europe are mostly limited to combustion of solid fuels, including coal, lignite and wood, the report says. There has been a drastic decrease in mercury pollution in Europe, which accounts for only 5% of global emissions to air. However, globally mercury emissions are much higher, due to emissions from additional sources such as small-scale gold mining and industrial processes.

Source – European Environment Agency

Verde Environmental Consultants can assist clients to collate information required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a licence application/ amendment process.

We have a proven track record of successfully reducing many of our clients’ expenses in this area by securing reductions in monitoring requirements and by the easing of licence conditions where appropriate.

We currently represent a range of licenced companies from smaller Irish companies to large multinationals in the pharmaceutical, food, manufacturing, extraction and waste sectors.

Our services include:

• Industrial Emissions (IE )/ Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and Waste Licence applications and Project Management.
• Perpetration of licence application, review/amendment, site plans and reports (AER, ELRA, CRAMP & Firewater).
• Compliance Monitoring and Reporting (surface water, groundwater, noise, air, odour etc).
• Waste Classification and Reporting.
• Environmental Management System and EHS implementation and support.
• Risk Assessment, Contamination Management and Appropriate Assessment.
• Mentoring and training.
• Support with legislative requirements & regulatory issues, forms and guidance.
• BAT Assessment.
• Follow-on support to ensure permit compliance.
• Reports according to EPA compliance requirements.
• Troubleshooting and negotiation on your behalf with the Agency.