Warnings sought on toxins in energy-saving lights
Source: Xinhua |
October 30, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA should raise public awareness of the toxicity in used energy-saving lighting products, says an investigative report.
The report, released by Economic Information, said 0.5 milligrams of mercury, the average amount contained in a used energy-saving fluorescent tube, can pollute 180 tons of water and surrounding soil.
In 2008, energy-saving lights were included in a national list of hazardous waste. People are aware of their energy-saving function without knowing much about toxin dangers, said experts. Broken energy-saving tubes will lead to seriously excessive airborne levels of mercury, which can damage a human being's nervous system.
Jin Min, associate professor with the Beijing-based Renmin University of China, said that using energy-saving lamps has boosted China's energy conservation and emission reduction.
"But the recovery of those lamps has become a glaring problem in handling electronic waste," she added.
The "green lights" project, launched in 2008, has led to the use of 150 million energy-saving lighting products nationwide. This has helped reduce 29 million tons of carbon dioxide and 290,000 tons of sulfur dioxide.
With the life of energy-saving lamps being around three years, the 150 million products are entering into retirement.
Industry experts suggest permanent recovery stations should be set up in communities, enterprises as well as environmental protection organizations. They said that rewards should be provided for those who hand in used energy-saving tubes.
Producers of energy-saving lights should highlight the potential dangers in commercials, packaging and sales activities, experts said. In 2007, China implemented a recommendation to control the use of toxic matter in electronic products. The country could establish a mandatory standard, experts said.
The report, released by Economic Information, said 0.5 milligrams of mercury, the average amount contained in a used energy-saving fluorescent tube, can pollute 180 tons of water and surrounding soil.
In 2008, energy-saving lights were included in a national list of hazardous waste. People are aware of their energy-saving function without knowing much about toxin dangers, said experts. Broken energy-saving tubes will lead to seriously excessive airborne levels of mercury, which can damage a human being's nervous system.
Jin Min, associate professor with the Beijing-based Renmin University of China, said that using energy-saving lamps has boosted China's energy conservation and emission reduction.
"But the recovery of those lamps has become a glaring problem in handling electronic waste," she added.
The "green lights" project, launched in 2008, has led to the use of 150 million energy-saving lighting products nationwide. This has helped reduce 29 million tons of carbon dioxide and 290,000 tons of sulfur dioxide.
With the life of energy-saving lamps being around three years, the 150 million products are entering into retirement.
Industry experts suggest permanent recovery stations should be set up in communities, enterprises as well as environmental protection organizations. They said that rewards should be provided for those who hand in used energy-saving tubes.
Producers of energy-saving lights should highlight the potential dangers in commercials, packaging and sales activities, experts said. In 2007, China implemented a recommendation to control the use of toxic matter in electronic products. The country could establish a mandatory standard, experts said.
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