Take steps for scientific disposal of CFLs: Par panel to govt

Expressing astonishment that there is "no binding regulation or infrastructure" for disposal of mercury, a parliamentary panel has recommended the government to take concrete steps to ensure safe and scientific disposal of CFLs.
"The committee is astonished to note that even though short-term exposure to mercury affects nervous, digestive and immune system including lungs and kidneys, no binding regulation and adequate infrastructure for safe disposal of such a highly harmful pollutant has been developed," the Committee on Demands for Grants (2015-16) on Environment Ministry said.
Expressing concern, the committee said that if the situation is such in Delhi, the fate of other cities of the country can well be imagined.

"A large number of companies are manufacturing it without confirming to standards prescribed for maximum mercury content with 5mg per CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) for wattage upto and including 26 watts because the standards are voluntary and not mandatory as confessed by the Ministry (Environment).
"The committee recommended that the Environment Ministry must take concrete and implementable steps to ensure safe and scientific disposal of CFLs," the committee, headed by former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar, said.
The committee said that according to a study by Toxins Links - an environmental NGO, CFL has become a potential health hazard and it has been estimated that 14.93 million CFLs releasing approximately 74.65 kg of mercury were disposed off "unsafely" in Delhi last year.

The committee also observed that the Ministry, when enquired, had no information about such a study.
In reply to a question as to whether there is any infrastructure for safe disposal of CFLs and the reasons why the government has not yet developed any binding regulation for their safe disposal, the Ministry instead of giving a "pointed, specific and straight forward reply" cited Central Pollution Control Board communication to states to encourage establishing recycling units, the committee observed.
The committee said that on being further enquired as to whether there is a CFL recycling unit in Delhi and other cities, the Ministry responded by saying that there is "no" authorised CFL recycling unit in Delhi or other city in the country as on date due to economical non-viability.