This article highlights the environmental and health risks posed by scrubber discharge from cruise ships operating in Alaska, particularly in Southeast Alaska waters.
Scrubbers, designed to reduce sulfur and toxic pollutants from ships’ exhaust gases, discharge wastewater containing harmful toxins into the marine environment.
These pollutants, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, harm marine life, ecosystems, and communities that rely on seafood and clean water.
The use of scrubbers contributes to black carbon pollution, accelerating climate change.
Despite their environmental costs, scrubbers have become widespread as a cost-effective alternative to cleaner distillate fuels.
The article argues for phasing out scrubbers due to their long-term damage to the environment and human health. It also calls for local, state, and national efforts to ban scrubber discharge and adopt cleaner fuel alternatives until global regulations are enforced.