In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) announced that a power utility will pay a $610,000 penalty under a settlement to resolve water discharge violations at two coal ash impoundment landfills. According to the settlement, the utility exceeded boron limits in discharges from both landfills.
EPA describes boron as a non-metallic, naturally-occurring element found in rocks, soil, and water. Boron does not exist as a pure element but is combined with oxygen as borate minerals and various boron compounds such as boric acid, borax, and boron oxide. The burning of coal in power plants and industrial wastes are just a few of the ways boron can get into waterways and potentially impact drinking water.
Coal ash, which is created when coal is burned by power plants to produce electricity, contains more than just boron. Other potential pollutants and exposure concerns may include arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, lithium, mercury, molybdenum, thallium, and other substances.
Millions of tons of coal ash are produced and need to be disposed of each year. The day before the settlement penalty was announced with the electric utility in Pennsylvania, the EPA announced the agency was taking steps to protect groundwater from coal ash contamination across the country. Nationwide, there are hundreds of coal ash landfills and retention ponds, some over a 1,000 acres, which could be causing exposure risks to workers, communities and the environment if they are not properly built, maintained and monitored. To safeguard the public and workers, and to help keep utilities and companies in compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, Advanced MicroAnalytical offers material, environmental, and industrial hygiene testing services. These include tests for coal ash, heavy metals, boron, silica and other pollutants from air, soil, and water samples.
To learn more about this or other testing services, please visit www.AdvancedMicroAnalytical.com, call (877) 605-6662 or email info@AdvancedMicroAnalytical.com .
About Advanced MicroAnalytical
At Advanced MicroAnalytical we are dedicated to providing you and your business with critical insight and knowledge that is essential in the modern era. We provide the testing services and analytical tools for comprehensive understanding of your materials and projects. Our services range from advanced microanalysis of nanotechnology to compositional and functional analysis of large manufactured systems. Our laboratory services span a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, micro-electronics, nanofabrication, aerospace and defense, environmental engineering – as well as many others. Advanced MicroAnalytical is committed to serving as a valued analytical partner to our clients. We offer unmatched analysis, testing, and services to assist you in your business, environmental, and research challenges. Visit our website at www.advancedmicroanalytical.com.
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