OT: Low-Energy Bulb Disposal Warning

[Guest guest]

OT: Low-Energy Bulb Disposal Warning

The Environment Agency (UK) has called for more information to be made

available on the health and environmental risks posed by low-energy

light bulbs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7172662.stm

It says because the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, more

information about safe recycling is needed.

It also wants health warnings printed on packaging and

information on how to clear up smashed bulbs in the home.

But a toxicologist has played down the risks, saying several

bulbs would have to be smashed at once to pose a danger.

Toxic substance Environmental scientist Dr Spurgeon said:

" Because these light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury they could

cause a problem if they are disposed of in a normal waste-bin.

" It is possible that the mercury they contain could be released

either into the air or from land-fill when they are released into the

wider environment.

" That's a concern, because mercury is a well known toxic substance. "

Official advice from the Department of the Environment states

that if a low-energy bulb is smashed, the room needs to be vacated for

at least 15 minutes.

A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris, and

care should be taken not to inhale the dust.

Instead, rubber gloves should be used, and the broken bulb put

into a sealed plastic bag - which should be taken to the local council

for disposal.

Unbroken used bulbs can be taken back to the retailer if the

owner is a member of the Distributor Takeback Scheme.

Otherwise, many local waste disposal sites now have the

facilities to safely collect and dispose of old bulbs.

However, this advice is not printed on the packaging that

low-energy bulbs are sold in.

Toxicologist Dr Ray, from the University of Nottingham,

said about 6-8mg of mercury was present in a typical low-energy bulb,

which he described as a " pretty small amount " .

+ Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7172662.stm

(This warning message comes to from the Vaccine and Low-Energy Bulb

Liberation League.)

[Guest guest]

send an email to oprah re mercury in these bulbs

she had a " green " episode on Friday night.

The expert URGED EVERYONE to buy these bulbs.

j

http://www.oprah.com/email/tows/email_tows_main.jhtml?

_DARGS=/email/tows/email_tows_main.jhtml

>

> OT: Low-Energy Bulb Disposal Warning

> The Environment Agency (UK) has called for more information to be

made

> available on the health and environmental risks posed by low-energy

> light bulbs.

>

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7172662.stm

>

> It says because the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury,

more

> information about safe recycling is needed.

> It also wants health warnings printed on packaging and

> information on how to clear up smashed bulbs in the home.

> But a toxicologist has played down the risks, saying several

> bulbs would have to be smashed at once to pose a danger.

> Toxic substance Environmental scientist Dr Spurgeon

said:

> " Because these light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury they

could

> cause a problem if they are disposed of in a normal waste-bin.

> " It is possible that the mercury they contain could be

released

> either into the air or from land-fill when they are released into

the

> wider environment.

> " That's a concern, because mercury is a well known toxic

substance. "

> Official advice from the Department of the Environment states

> that if a low-energy bulb is smashed, the room needs to be vacated

for

> at least 15 minutes.

> A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris,

and

> care should be taken not to inhale the dust.

> Instead, rubber gloves should be used, and the broken bulb put

> into a sealed plastic bag - which should be taken to the local

council

> for disposal.

> Unbroken used bulbs can be taken back to the retailer if the

> owner is a member of the Distributor Takeback Scheme.

> Otherwise, many local waste disposal sites now have the

> facilities to safely collect and dispose of old bulbs.

> However, this advice is not printed on the packaging that

> low-energy bulbs are sold in.

> Toxicologist Dr Ray, from the University of Nottingham,

> said about 6-8mg of mercury was present in a typical low-energy

bulb,

> which he described as a " pretty small amount " .

> + Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7172662.stm

>

>

> (This warning message comes to from the Vaccine and Low-Energy Bulb

> Liberation League.)

>