SEATTLE, July 24 (UPI) -- Two Seattle-area cement plants spew about 100 pounds of toxic mercury into the atmosphere annually, a report by two environmental groups indicated.

While less than the 23,000 pounds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates cement plants nationwide release, "we are talking about mercury," Environmental Integrity Project's Eric Schaeffer told The Seattle Times. "No amount of it is a good thing."

In the report Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project released Wednesday, a cement plant in Durkee, Ore., is thought to be the biggest single industrial source of mercury in the country, emitting more than 2,500 pounds a year.

Mercury discharged from cement plants can come from fuel used to fire the kilns where limestone and other minerals are baked into cement or from the limestone, the newspaper said.

The Earthjustice-Environmental Integrity Project report was released as the EPA prepared to issue draft regulations for mercury from cement plants later in 2008.

The EPA now limits how much mercury can come from new or rebuilt plants, but not from existing plants, such as the two in Seattle. State and local health and environmental agencies told the newspaper they knew of no studies on mercury from the Seattle cement plants.

Calif. requires cleaner ship fuels

SACRAMENTO, July 24 (UPI) -- California air-quality regulators announced Monday that oceangoing ships will be required to use low-sulfur diesel fuel while operating off the coast.

The California Air Resources Board, or ARB, said in a written statement that the new regulation would eliminate an estimated 15 tons of exhaust a day from ships calling on the state's busy seaports.

The aim is to reduce emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as particulate matter in the air.

"This regulation will save lives," said ARB Chairwoman Mary Nichols. "At ports and all along the California coast we will see cleaner air and better health."

The regulation, which takes effect next year, bans ships from burning heavy bunker oil in their engines within 24 miles of the California coast. Vessels will have to switch to low-sulfur marine diesel.

The rule, which applies to U.S. and foreign-flagged ships, will be implemented in two phases between 2009 and 2012 and will result in reductions of 83 percent for particulate matter, 95 percent for sulfur oxides and 6 percent for nitrogen oxides.

Soda machines on base may be removed

OSLO, Norway, July 24 (UPI) -- Medical and dental officials in Norway say they want to ban soft drink dispensers on the country's military bases.

Dr. Oystein Asmyhr, chief military dentist, said he wants to remove the vending machines to improve soldiers' dental health by reducing the amount of soft drinks consumed, Aftenposten reported. A report published in a medical journal indicates about half of Norwegian troops have cavities or acid-damaged teeth.

"We did a major survey of 2,000 national service recruits in January this year," Asmyhr said. "Forty percent had acid damage to their teeth. This is a dramatic result. Major acid damage is hard to repair once the irreplaceable enamel has gone," says Asmyhr.

The Norwegian Diabetes Association said it agrees with the dentist, suggesting bases install water fountains and distribute fresh fruit.

"Let those who want to drink soft drinks go to the shops," the organization's General Secretary Bjoron Allgot told Aftenposten.

Military officials said a decision about soda vending machines should be done on a camp-by-camp basis.

EPA won't regulate 11 water contaminants

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- Eleven potential drinking water contaminants will not be regulated, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined Thursday.

Officials said the contaminants either don't occur nationally in public water systems, or occur at levels that don't pose a health concern, the EPA said in a news release.

The determination was based on a review of health effects, occurrence data and public comment, the agency said.

"Sound science and public health drive EPA's decisions under the Safe Drinking Water Act," said Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water. "We will continue to thoroughly review new and emerging contaminants to ensure that citizens and our environment are protected."

The contaminants include naturally occurring substances, pesticides, herbicides and chemicals currently or formerly used in manufacturing, Grumbles said.

While the contaminants weren't occurring nationally, EPA officials said they are updating health advisories for seven contaminants for local officials in situations where the contaminants may be present. The contaminants are boron; dacthal mono- and di-acid degradates; 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone); 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene; and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.

Officials determined updated or new advisories were not needed for 1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene; s-ethyl propyl thiocarbamate; Fonofos and Terbacil.