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| Mercury poisoning | | Failure to separate hazardous waste risks lethal fallout |
| Business Standard / New Delhi Jul 09, 2009, 00:43 IST |
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It is a pity that the Delhi government’s move to ensure safe disposal of mercury generated by the healthcare sector and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) remains in limbo, because of glitches in collecting discarded material. The Swedish firm roped in by the government for setting up a high-tech mercury recycling unit is reported to have developed cold feet as it may not get enough waste to process.
The problem is the want of a proper system for segregating hazardous waste from the general waste in hospitals and clinics, which let toxic redundant material (including mercury-containing gadgets) get dumped along with the general refuse. This is one of the most irresponsible ways of handling dangerous waste, as it endangers both public health and the environment. If dumped in landfill sites along with other garbage, as generally happens, mercury can either emit harmful vapours into the air or leach into groundwater and make it unfit for drinking. Mercury is a proven neurotoxin.
The hazardous waste menace, because of CFLs as also old refrigerators and electronic equipment, will get worse with time. The use of CFLs has been made mandatory in public buildings and is becoming popular because of their energy efficiency and the incentives offered by the government. In 2007, over 165 million CFLs were sold in the country. This figure must have grown substantially since then. Unfortunately, the manufacturing of CFLs has not been standardised for want of norms regarding the use of mercury in their production; nor is there any system of regulating this sector. Consequently, the mercury content in the CFL bulbs made in India varies from 3 mg to as much as 13 mg. Some CFL manufacturers abroad are churning out lamps with as little as 1 mg of mercury in them. The scope for corrective action is obvious.
This apart, none of the CFL makers is registered with the pollution control boards for the safe collection, handling and recycling of mercury. Many countries have made it binding on manufacturers to collect discarded gadgets containing hazardous material. India should emulate their example. Further, healthcare outlets should be sensitised about the need for segregating hazardous chemical waste form biomedical and other litter, for suitable disposal. The amount of waste generated in hospitals is 1-2 kg per bed per day. Only 5 to 10 per cent of this is potentially harmful in nature. All it needs to set such waste apart is to put separate bins for their disposal. By not doing so, the entire waste is rendered hazardous. Besides, though it is mandatory for hospitals to have incinerators and other waste-handling equipment, few actually do and, where they exist, are often not used. In any case, substances like mercury cannot be disposed of through them and need specialised handling and recycling, for which appropriate systems need to be put in place. The first such effort has just run aground.
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