Archive for NEEPS North East Eco-friendly People's Site
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wildgarlic
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Low-energy bulb disposal warning | Quote: |
Low-energy bulb disposal warning
The Environment Agency has called for more information to be made available on the health and environmental risks posed by low-energy light bulbs.
It says because the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, more information about safe recycling is needed.
It also wants health warnings printed on packaging and information on how to clear up smashed bulbs in the home.
But a toxicologist has played down the risks, saying several bulbs would have to be smashed at once to pose a danger. |
| Quote: | Official advice from the Department of the Environment states that if a low-energy bulb is smashed, the room needs to be vacated for at least 15 minutes.
A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris, and care should be taken not to inhale the dust.
Instead, rubber gloves should be used, and the broken bulb put into a sealed plastic bag - which should be taken to the local council for disposal.
Unbroken used bulbs can be taken back to the retailer if the owner is a member of the Distributor Takeback Scheme.
Otherwise, many local waste disposal sites now have the facilities to safely collect and dispose of old bulbs. |
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IainC
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We have a bagless hoover which we used to clear up the mess after one of the kids smashed one (chucking stuff at the other kid).
We washed out the hoover afterwards though and kept the place vented for a good while just in case.
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