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Understand how to dispose of used fluorescent lamps and practice disposal correctly

Disposing of fluorescent lamps correctly is everyone's obligation. This is because disposing of incorrectly used fluorescent lamps can be very harmful to human health and the environment. This is because, despite the practicality, durability and economy of the fluorescent lamp, inside it there is a chemical component that is very dangerous to health: mercury, a heavy and toxic metal. Due to it, disposal becomes very complicated.

• Fluorescent lamp: from benefits to dangers

The risks of mercury

Mercury still has the company of lead in the composition of lamps. According to the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT), the maximum amount of mercury that can be concentrated in one unit is 100 milligrams of mercury per kilogram of waste. Contact with the substance at higher levels can cause serious health problems.

• Mercury, cadmium and lead: the intimate enemies present

The biggest problem happens when the substance is inhaled, especially if the amount of elemental mercury is large, which can cause neurological problems and even hydration (intoxication that causes coughing, dyspnea, chest pain and other more serious problems).

In the environmental issue, when mercury is irregularly discharged into rivers, for example, it volatilizes and passes into the atmosphere, causing probable contaminated rains. It can also happen that microorganisms absorb mercury, making it organic instead of metallic. Aquatic animals and plants can retain mercury and thus contaminate the environment with no chance of eradication.

Mercury is released within two weeks of its disposal. In the US alone, between two and four tons of mercury are released into nature annually.

What if it broke?

Stay tuned! Before cleaning the area, the first thing to do is to remove children and animals from the area, in addition to not letting anyone touch the material.

Allow the dust to settle before picking up the broken lamp. Wear a mask and gloves to put the shards into a PET bottle. To do this, remove the label from the PET bottle and dispose of it with other recyclable plastics of the same type. Then cut the bottle in half, insert the bulb shards, use the top of the bottle to cap the container and place it inside a bag. Try to use gloves or a shovel and broom so as not to get hurt. In the case of a fluorescent lamp, it is important to place it in a transparent bottle, thus facilitating its visualization, which contributes to handling the waste.

Use sticky tape and moistened paper towels to wipe away the last residue that might go unnoticed and place them in a tightly closed bag.

If the fluorescent lamp broke on bedding or any other material that has direct contact with the body, this piece can no longer be reused, even after washing (avoid washing so as not to contaminate the machine and water with mercury) ! It has to be discarded, as contact with mercury has already rendered it useless. In case you cut yourself with broken glass, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Specialized disposal

Processes carried out in specialized locations are responsible for removing decontaminating fluorescent lamps, thus eliminating the possibility of environmental pollution and intoxication. Even so, the disposal of fluorescent lamps must be done well, looking for the right places, isolating the material in case of breakage and notifying about the content delivered.

Do not let this material be taken to common landfills! Many packages of this type of lamp warn if the product is recyclable. To find places that accept fluorescent lamps, go to the Recycling Stations search section of eCycle, select Lamps and find the location closest to you.