ISLAMABAD, April 22: The compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs may be economically viable but the Ministry of National Disaster Management is ringing alarm bells over the health risks that it says outweighed the benefits of the bulbs.
Environmentalists in the ministry said most of the labelling on CFLs pack did not give the level of mercury (Hg) - highly dangerous neurotoxin. And it upset them that the labels also missed instructions for disposal of the used CFLs.
“Markets have, all of a sudden, flooded with numerous brands of CFL bulbs. There are no public awareness messages on the packs of these bulbs about the usage and safe disposal of CFLs. And they especially do not carry instructions on what to do if an energy saver bulb breaks,” said a senior official with the ministry requesting anonymity.
Director General Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-Epa) Asif Shuja described the CFLs as unfit and unsafe in “our environment that lacks the sense of proper waste disposal.”
According to environmentalists, the problem arises when a CFl bulb breaks. Mercury escaped as vapour can be inhaled and as a fine powder it can also settle into carpets and other textiles.
In case of breakage, the statutory notification by Pak-Epa warned that CFLs should be handled carefully. “Evacuate the room instantly as the breakage occurs, wear rubber gloves and masks, remove old clothes and jewellery while handling it to avoid touch and inhalation of mercuric vapours.”
The notification also warned against using vacuum cleaner because it can extend the contamination to other rooms in the house when used again.
It also instructed the users to clean the floor with a broom or brush, seal the pieces of the broken CFLs in a plastic bag to avoid further damage and place it in the municipal recycling bins. At the same time, it directed segregation of waste at the point of generation.
Still the ministry is doubtful if Pak-Epa can ensure that the requirements under CFL guidelines are implemented in letter and spirit. And whether the Ministry of Commerce, FBR and customs authorities were taken on broad to ensure that only permissible level of mercury content was coming in imported CFLs - 3mg to 5mg per bulb.
“What is the inspection, checking and confirmation mechanism to ensure that only permissible level of Hg contains in the product?” said a senior official in the Ministry of National Disaster Management, explaining that many people did want to recycle but when there was no easy way of recycling of the CFL bulbs, majority would simply throw them in the trash.
The bulbs then will get tossed into a garbage truck and most likely break. When it arrives at dumping sites, the environment will be exposed to the mercury - not entirely improving the environment and putting people at even greater health risk.
According to the ministry, chronic exposure through any route could produce central nervous system disorders, muscle tremors, personality and behaviour changes, memory loss, loosening of teeth, digestive disorder, skin rashes, brain damage and kidney damage, skin discolourations and reproductive hazards.
Mr Shuja said the guidelines had been made, adding: “We will make it mandatory for importers to follow rules. We will also make it a corporate responsibility to spread awareness among users of CFLs on safe disposal and handling.”
He expressed the hope that CFLs would soon be replaced by light emitting diodes (LEDs).