Intertek Addresses Global Mercury Pollution Problems

25 Jul 2013

(Edinburgh) Intertek, the leading quality solutions provider, will tackle the issue of mercury pollution across industries during the "International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant" (ICMGP) in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 28 to August 2, 2013.

Intertek will showcase expertise in detecting, monitoring, and controlling mercury, supporting industries such as food, consumer products, and oil & gas. Recent Harvard studies have shown that mercury is a long term problem, as past accumulations built over thousands of years could persist for centuries. The Harvard study advocates prompt and aggressive reductions in mercury, suggesting that if nothing is done, levels of mercury in the ocean could double by 2050.

The ICMGP conference will address and focus upon the upcoming adoption and implementation of the UN sponsored Minimata Convention to control mercury in the environment. Experts from around the world will evaluate solutions and challenges to controlling mercury pollution in light of the UNEP Minimata agreement. The treaty is expected to be ratified in Japan this October.

Ruud Overbeek, Vice President for Global Health, Environmental & Regulatory Services at Intertek said: "Managing mercury concentrations present in raw materials and finished products to achieve safer, acceptable and compliant levels is important for producers, users, consumers, and our environment."

"The accumulation of mercury to unsafe concentration levels in the food chain, for example, can have serious health implications. As a consequence, regulators and safety authorities strictly regulate concentrations in food products. Intertek expert trace residue analysis services help ensure products meet required safety standards."

Specialists from Intertek will share their expertise in mercury detection and analysis across oil and gas, coal, petroleum, seafood, and consumer goods including electrical and electronic products.

Peter Spitz, Intertek Mercury Technical Manager for East Asia, has pioneered and developed laboratory trace mercury testing methods for the oil and gas industry. Peter commented; "Along with environmental concerns, trace-levels of mercury in crude oil can affect product quality, market price, create expensive refining and processing problems, and promote materials corrosion and cracking."

"The mercury analysis techniques developed by Intertek support our client's mercury control objectives, and provide important validation and benchmarking for optimizing and managing the control of mercury levels."

Additional information on Intertek's expertise in detecting mercury:

Mercury Services Contact:

Anthony Sweetland
Mercury Detection and Analysis Manager
Email: anthony.sweetland@intertek.com
Tel: +44 (0)1932 732 104

Marketing and Media:

Erik Holladay
Global Marketing Director, Commodities
Tel: +1 713 407 3500
Email: erik.holladay@intertek.com

About Intertek

Intertek is the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value to customers' products, processes and assets. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 35,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies' success in a global marketplace. Intertek helps its customers to meet end users' expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com