|
Report 1 of 5: A
Sniff in Time - Sweden
Introduction
Mercury is one of the world’s most hazardous substances. It is environmentally unfriendly and highly toxic – the human body absorbs about 80% of the metal that is inhaled. Since mercury is an element, it can never be broken down or destroyed through chemical reactions and therefore, it poses a threat to the environment far into the future. Micro-organisms in the soil and in the water can change the poisonous metal into an even more dangerous combination of methyl mercury which can accumulate through the food chain.
Mercury is a liquid, heavy metal that has been used in many different industrial and manufacturing processes over the years and is still used in many every day items, such as being used to lead electricity and by dentists. It can be found in light bulbs, machinery, sinks, drains and sewage systems throughout industry and in laboratories, chemical store cupboards, hospitals and doctors’ surgeries or as a residue in pipes and sewers.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
In Sweden, it is estimated that about 100 tonnes of the poisonous element exist in products in use today, leading to heightened levels of mercury in the soil and in the waters. Many fish contain high levels of mercury and as a result are not good to eat. The only way to protect the environment is to remove as much mercury as possible and deposit it into safe storage. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was commissioned by the government to show how mercury products can be recovered more effectively and efficiently.
The EPA is using two specially trained sniffer dogs to identify mercury spills on shelves, in instruments, in crevices in the floors, in laboratory sink U-bends, and in cupboards. In 1998/1999, more than 1,300kg of mercury were recovered from between 1,000 and 1,200 schools taking part in the Swedish EPA project. The EPA pays for the sniffer service but the school has to pay for the disposal of any mercury found by the dogs.
During the course of time, historic mercury has collected in sinks, water seals and in sewage systems connected to premises where it has been previously used and handled, such as laboratories, dental surgeries and school chemistry classrooms. The dogs traced hidden mercury in sinks and floors in almost 6,000 sites, saving up to 12 million Swedish kronor (1.5 million American dollars) in reduced decontamination costs. The dogs can detect mercury in amounts as small as 1mg but find it difficult to trace at temperatures below 15ºC as the metal gives off much less scent.
The Dog Training Centre
The Dog Training Centre in Sollefteå is owned by the Foundation of the Swedish Association for the Visually Impaired and is run as an enterprise in the SRF Iris Corporate Group. The company’s profits benefit the visually impaired. Hundskolan (Humanity Dog) focuses on developing several different kinds of specialist and working dogs as well as dog related services for the assistance of individuals and society, such as training guide dogs for the blind, mine detection dogs and drug sniffing dogs. Assignments for the dogs and their handlers range from finding rot in telephone poles and bombs in airports to mines on old battlefields in Bosnia, Africa or other troubled spots. A well trained dog can also trace mercury, oil-spills and water-leakage.
Hundskolan uses the unique qualities of the dogs to assist individuals and companies by supplementing human abilities. It provides well trained working dogs and dog related services that enhance the environmental aspects, quality and efficiency of the customers’ activities. It develops skills and functions in the dog world by providing general and tailor made courses, and also teaching materials and services relating to dogs.
Hundskolan’s products and services are aimed at using canine resources to enhance the quality and value of people’s lives. It works to eliminate environmentally hazardous and dangerous substances. For the purpose of tracing mercury, dogs are superior to all technology. The canine sense of smell is superb and its capacity immense. Results show that dogs are virtually 100% accurate in locating mercury because they are capable of sniffing parts that humans cannot reach.
The Dog Training Centre now offers a mercury tracing service using sniffer dogs and dog handlers. The service enables cost effective recovery of the mercury and prevents it being dispersed in the environment through refuse or in the sewage system. Using sniffer dogs benefits the environment and the customer’s bank balance. Tests have shown that using the dogs protects the environment, saves time and money and generates good will.
Development of sniffer dogs
There is an extensive breeding programme for sniffer dogs and the parents are carefully chosen. The success of each sniffer dog is based upon the competence and experience of the trainers, coupled with their ability to choose the most appropriate dog to carry out a specific task.
During their first eight weeks, the puppies remain at the Centre in Sollefteå. Once they are old enough to leave their mothers, they stay with families in different parts of Sweden until they are between 12 and 15 months old. At this stage, they return to Sollefteå for one month of checking and testing.
During the qualifying period, the temperament and ability of the dogs are checked and they are tested physically, mentally and socially. It is not easy to qualify and, on average, only 25% of the dogs pass the testing period - the rest go back to the families. The training period then begins and lasts for between 8 and 14 months depending on the task the dog is being trained to carry out. It is essential for sniffer dogs to have a natural and enthusiastic instinct for hunting. They need to have great stamina and endurance, social competence, as well as being flexible and able to work in different, and sometimes difficult, surroundings.
For further information, please contact:
Kjell Avergren,
Environmental Dogs Manager,
Madenvägen 7,
S-448 91 Floda,
SWEDEN.
Tel: +46 302 326 79 / +46 70 203 4579
Fax: +46 302 326 79
E-mail: avergren@hundskolan.se
Websites:
http://www.hundskolan.com/
http://www.humanity/ |
Kristina von Rein,
Project Coordinator,
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,
Naturvårdsverket,
106 48 Stockholm,
SWEDEN.
Tel: +46 8 698 1127
Fax: +46 8 698 1222
E-mail: kvr@environ.se
Website: http://www.tve.org/ |
Jan Hjorth,
Marketing Manager,
Sandsborgsvägen 50,
S-122 88 Enskede,
SWEDEN.
Tel: +46 8 399 239 / +46 706 399 003
Fax: +46 8 725 9920
E-mail: hjorth@hundskolan.se |
| For more information on mine tracing dogs, please contact:
Gunvald Andersen
Tel: +47 64 953 300 / +47 90 114 660
E-mail: andersen@hundskolan.se
Bo Nordin
Tel: +46 70 603 6422 / +46 620 832 00
E-mail: nordin@hundskolan.se |
Intermediate Technology Development Group would like to thank the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Dog Training Centre, Hundskolan, in particular Kjell Avergren, for providing the original material on mercury sniffing dogs.
This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the DFID.
|
