Water Source eNewsletter April Edition

The Water Source April 2011 Issue from Ben Meadows

The Water Source | A Free eNewsletter from Ben Meadows | 1-800-241-6401

April 2011

Featured Products Our online Water Guide can help you find the products and information you need to get the job done.Click here.

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Hello everyone and thanks for opening The Water Source.

This issue we will discuss a topic that has recently been raising some concerns regarding drinking water and we'll also give you a short history lesson about a commonly used but very simple device which helps water professionals measure water clarity in lakes and rivers.

Also, don't forget about your chance to win by answering the Spout Off question at the end of this eNewsletter. And, as always, if you have any interesting stories or topics you come across, drop me an email at editor@benmeadows.com and maybe you'll see it in a future edition of The Water Source!

Brian
Ben Meadows Product Pro

Ben Meadows will be at the Environmental Trade Fair and Conference at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX May 3-4. Stop by booth 1640 to see some of our products up close, speak with one of our Product Pros and register to win a prize!

What's the deal with Hexavalent Chromium?

A late 2010 study released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has spurred more talk about hexavalent chromium (aka, chromium-6). The study tested chromium-6 levels in drinking water for a number of large cities around the US and found a large majority of these cities tested positive, some with levels up to 12.9 ppb. The study also stated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate chromium-6. This caused an instant uproar of concern. The EPA promptly responded that chromium-6 is indeed regulated, but is grouped in the drinking water standard of 100 ppb (0.1 mg/L) for total chromium. Although chromium-6 is regulated under the total chromium standard, people are still concerned that a 100 ppb level is considered acceptable. As a frame of reference, the current, acceptable level is not far off the 580 ppb level found in the Hinkley, California groundwater contamination case, made famous by the movie Erin Brockovich.

Because of this growing concern and new science on chromium-6, the EPA has begun a comprehensive review of its health effects. They expect to finalize their health assessment sometime later this year and carefully review all relevant information to determine if a new standard needs to be set. Previous to the EWG study and the current controversy, the California EPA had already proposed a limit goal of 0.06 ppb chromium-6. It is unsure when and if this proposal will go through, but it will be interesting to see if the EPA will follow their lead and set stricter limits.

Chromatography is usually required for measuring trace levels of chromium-6 in drinking water, but Ben Meadows has the equipment to help pinpoint the source and comply with wastewater regulations. Check out our USEPA wastewater approved Hach Pocket Colorimeter II Hexavalent Chromium Colorimeter.

Sources:
Environmental Working Group. Chromium-6 – the Erin Brockovich Chemical – Is Widespread in U.S. Tap Water.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Statement on Chromium-6 in Drinking Water. Dec. 21, 2010.

PennWell Corporation: Water World. EPA Studies Regulation of Hexavalent Chromium.

Today's History Lesson: Origin of the Secchi Disk

Many water professionals and limnologists have used a Secchi disk at some point in their lives, but have you ever thought about who invented this ingenious instrument for measuring water clarity? The inventor was actually an astrophysicist and a scientific advisor to the Pope. Angelo Secchi (1818-1878) is known for a number of astronomical discoveries and for his work with astronomical spectroscopy (the study of electromagnetic radiation that comes from stars and other celestial objects) but he was also active in oceanography which led to the invention of this transparency device.
In 1865, the commander of the Papal Navy asked Angelo to measure water clarity in the Mediterranean Sea and this was the instrument he came up with. Despite its crude design, the Secchi disk has survived as a commonly used device by today's water professionals for measuring water clarity in lakes, rivers and oceans. Never heard of or used a Secchi disk? It is very simple: The disk is lowered into the water on the shady side of the boat until the white and black design is no longer visible. This depth is recorded and the disk is lowered down a few more feet. The disk is then raised back up to the point where the design can be seen again. These two depth measurements are averaged, giving a “Secchi depth”. Secchi depth readings should be taken around midday because of lighting conditions and should be used only for general visual clarity measurements. If true and accurate turbidity readings are required, then a turbidimeter or nephelometer should be used. Check out Secchi Disks and Turbidity Meters at BenMeadows.com. Sources: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. History of the Secchi Disk. Wikipedia. Angelo Secchi. Wikipedia. Secchi Disk.

Product Spotlight

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Did You Know?

Transparency tubes use the same concept of the Secchi disk, but allow you to take water clarity readings from streams that aren't deep enough to use a Secchi disk in. Pioneered by Australia's Department of Conservation, these transparency tubes have the same Secchi design located at the bottom of a long clear tube. Water from the sample stream is placed in the tube until the design is no longer visible from the top and then is drained out the bottom by a valve until the design is visible again. Units on the side of the tube tell you the height of water in the tube, giving you a "transparency tube" reading.

Spout Off!
Your Chance to Win!

Last Issue's Winner:
Nicole from Flemington, NJ knows that the two 2010 Ben Meadows Scholarship Winners were Erin B. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Rachel F. from the University of California-Berkeley.

We will be sending Nicole MIDLAND® LXT380 Walkie-Talkies.

This Issue's Question:
According to the Ben Meadows catalog, a Bogorov Counting Chamber is used for counting what?

Send your answer via email to: editor@benmeadows.com

While you're at it, let us know your job title and function and what topics you'd like to see covered in future issues of The Water Source.

Answers must be received by by Sunday, May 14, 2011. We'll select one lucky prize winner from all the correct entries. If you are selected, we will notify you by email. Don't forget to include an address (if you win, we'll need to know where to send your prize)!

This month's prize: Bushnell® H2O™ Waterproof 8 x 25mm Binoculars a $61.15 value.

To be eligible to receive a prize you must include your name and mailing address. This information must correspond to your benmeadows.com registration information. If you are not registered at benmeadows.com click here and register TODAY!

If you have any specific questions about product specifications, applications or compliance issues, call one of our Product Pros at 1-800-241-6401 or e-mail them at: ProductPros@benmeadows.com.

If you have any questions about the list or its contents, send e-mail to the Editor at: editor@benmeadows.com.

The Water Source is copyrighted by GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. Ben Meadows Company is a division of GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. Those wishing to re-publish a written piece in any other form or medium must first receive permission from GHC Specialty Brands, LLC. To request permission, e-mail: g.lee@labsafety.com.

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