Won't have much time to write today, and since I've already filled my daily quota of boobies, here's a quick link to a Star article on the environmental hazards associated with compact fluorescents and, more importantly, how these hazards can be dealt with:
A recent study by Friesen revealed that only 7 per cent of the fluorescent light bulbs in Canada are recycled.
The provincial government aims to address that with new waste-diversion regulations expected soon.
"Our goal is to divert this material from landfills. We recognize we need to provide enhanced programs to do that," says Mark Rabbior, spokesperson for the provincial environment ministry.
..which is the kind of initiative the McGuinty government should be trumpeting, rather than letting this guy cruise around randomly smearing Tories.
There was a news story circulating a couple of weeks ago about a woman in New England (NH or VT?) who accidentally dropped one of these compact flourescents in her young daughter's room and it broke. Knowing that it contained mercury, she phoned the local poison control line. As the story went, the authorities sent someone over to test the air in the bedroom, and they subsequntly advised her that it would cost $2000 to conduct an appropriate decontamination procedure.
ReplyDeleteMy "BS meter" vibrated a bit when I read the story...but if true(and I'm not 100% sure that it was)...that's a bit alarming...
Bruce
That's either an urban legend or the company they sent around played her for a sucker.
ReplyDeleteMercury is not unique to compact fluorescent bulbs. Mercury is present in the fluorescent tubes that are commonly used in every single supermarket, shopping mall, department store, office building, factory, hospital, prison and many schools.
ReplyDeleteLook into any dumpster where office renovations are taking place and you'll likely see dozens if not hundreds of old 4-foot tubes tossed and smashed with no regard for contamination. Ask any commercial building maintenance company how they dispose of burned out fluorescent tubes and you'll likely hear that they toss them in the normal waste bin and if they don't fit or they take up too much space, they smash them to tiny bits.
The anti-Earthers are not only intent on downplaying the climate crisis, they are intent on throwing cold water on any solutions. It's another manifestation of their "We Can't" attitude.
Increased used of fluorescent bulbs in residential premises has increased awareness of a mercury pollution issue that has been ongoing since the widespread adoption of industrial fluorescent tubes in the 50's and 60's. Even with legislation, it's doubtful that residential fluorescent use will surpass industrial-commercial-institutional use.
Kudos to Ginty for addressing a problem that's been festering for decades.
JB