Laserfiche WebLink
Why Do We Care About Lamps? <br /> Nationally, about 600 million lamps are disposed of annually, most to <br /> solid waste disposal facilities, including landfills and solid waste <br /> incinerators. In fluorescent lamps, mercury is the main concern and is <br /> present in lamps primarily in vapor form. <br /> ➢ The average mercury content in a fluorescent tube manufactured in <br /> 1999 is approximately 12 milligrams. <br /> ➢ Pre-1999 manufactured fluorescent tubes can have from 15 to 50 <br /> milligrams. <br /> ➢ High intensity discharge lamps may contain up to 250 milligrams, <br /> depending on the lamp wattage. <br /> During solid waste handling and disposal many lamps break releasing <br /> mercury vapor and potentially exposing solid waste handlers to <br /> inhalation of those vapors. Solid waste incineration of mercury <br /> containing lamps also releases the mercury into the atmosphere. <br /> Mercury in the atmosphere is eventually deposited back to the earth. <br /> Health & Environmental ( Some lamps may also <br /> Hazards of Mercury contain lead in the <br /> glass and lead solder <br /> • Health risk from inhalation orabsorption <br /> •� used in the lamp base. <br /> PAL.,.i A • Causes neurological disorders Lead is a toxic metal <br /> -a 'L- • Persistent,bioaccumulative and toxic that may leach from <br /> • Major cause of contaminated fish solid waste landfills <br /> advisories . into the Around water. <br /> Manufacturers are eliminating the lead by using nonleaded glass and <br /> solders in newer lamps. <br /> How to Know if a Lamp is Dangerous Waste <br /> Lamps are known to designate as dangerous waste because of their <br /> mercury and/or lead content. Lamps may be assumed to be dangerous <br /> waste, they may be "book designated" using manufacturers' <br /> information, or they may be designated through sampling and testing. <br /> Certain"green"lamps are available that contain less mercury and do not <br /> designate as dangerous waste. Ask your lamp manufacturer for data sheets <br /> to use when making waste determinations for these lamps. Check with your <br /> local health department,solid waste agency,or landfill for recycling or <br /> disposal options. <br /> 2 The Department of Ecology is an Equal Opportunity Employer <br /> Publication#00-04-020 <br />