Fluorescent lamps, having mercury as a vital component for their functioning, can cause health related problems, if disposed of indiscriminately at the end of their life. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified standards for safety and performance related requirements of fluorescent lamps. As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s estimates, there is an average of 30 mg of mercury in a fluorescent tube light (FTL) and 5 mg of mercury in a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), indicating that CFLs are less hazardous than FTLs.
CPCB has issued technical guidelines for environmentally sound mercury management in fluorescent lamp sector, including CFLs. These guidelines prescribe best practices at various levels, such as at manufacturer’s level, that include mercury consumption, process technology, raw mercury distillation, on-site storage, treatment, recycling and disposal of mercury bearing wastes, mercury spill management; and at consumer’s level which includes handling of used/broken lamps, consumer awareness pertaining to collection, transport, treatment and disposal of used fluorescent lamps.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shrimati Priya Dutt in Lok Sabha
No comments:
Post a Comment