What to do with spent fluorescent lamps: the damage improper disposal

Disposal of fluorescent lamps should become a mandatory procedure for every person and every organization. Since they will be safe only as long as the design preserves the integrity.

The reason for this is the presence in their flasks of mercury vapor, capable even with brief contact to cause serious and sometimes irreparable, damage to human health, water, and soil.

In this article we will explain why we need recycling fluorescent lamps, where to put the waste appliances and how is their disposal.

Why recycling is necessary?

The design of each luminescent lighting unit contains up to 7 milligrams of mercury. At first glance, this is not enough. For example, in any thermometer such a substance in ten times more.

But the peculiarity is that only a few grams of mercury vapor are 16 times larger contact patch with the surrounding air than a few kilos of the same liquid metal.

As a result, the contents of the flask fills with poison to 50 cubic meters of space and the admissible norm is exceeded 160 times.

Therefore, in case of depressurization of the fluorescent lamp of any manufacturer in the room creates a situation relating to the dangers of the first group.

That is the highest since even a short exposure is able to cause serious damage cardiovascular, immune, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, skin cover.

In addition, mercury can quickly accumulate in the human body, with the result that its impact will be long-lasting. No less dangerous are the fluorescent tubes, discarded in general waste bins at apartment buildings or in the private sector.

In this case, the mercury vapor is active against microorganisms, as a result, they become easy soluble and very stable compound (methylmercury) that can poison the acres of water, soil for decades.

The problem is compounded by the fact that until recently the former Soviet territory sold hundreds of millions of fluorescent lamps each year. Are now beginning to develop their resources.

Users contribute to the recycling process

Theoretically, this operation is no difficulty is not fraught. So, everything you need to man - is to perform in a certain order a few simple steps.

Which are as follows:

1. Fused fluorescent lamp should be packed in a plastic bag holistic. That will prevent mercury poisoning in the case of sudden depressurization during the disposal procedure.
2. To carry the device at the point of collection.

It should be remembered that the dismantling, transportation and storage of spent its lighting unit can not be treated carelessly. For example, placing it in a trash bag or a conventional leaving elsewhere where accidental damage can be applied.

After performing all the above as the owner will be deemed terminated. But in practice all the more difficult, the reason for this lack of absorption capacity, intended for the collection of fluorescent lamps.

According to the guidance documents of almost all countries in the post-collection unsuitable lighting containing mercury should be dealt with management of apartment buildings. They are tenants associations, management companies, as well as such duties imputed ZhEKam, RG.

For example, in Moscow everything Housing and operational offices are equipped with the necessary equipment to collect and serve them trained professionals.

But most managers Zhekova countries, for various reasons, ignoring such demands, so the items in a number of regions of sufficient rarity. But they are, at least in all major cities.

And to find the nearest enough:

• use the Internet;
• call back to the control organization, GEC, MOE.

Often officials help out business organizations and a collection point for all kinds of mercury-containing lamps are in the stores of retail chains, and sometimes even at locations receiving batteries. For example, in Russia there are many IKEA stores.

In addition, concerned citizens are writing to urge Zhekova guide to perform the duties. The more equipment items - the procedure is simple. Since all you need to do - is to install a small puncture-proof container.

A reception staff can carry out electrical Zhekova, management companies, which subsequently transfer devices, spent his own, for recycling, that the residents comfortable.

In addition, such a procedure is not difficult to arrange, as special skills, the presence of any special tool is required.

I am sure it is worth remembering that at the collection points only sealed products responsible persons lamps are made, that is whole, with no signs of damage.

As it is not necessary disrepair of transport or attempt to take on the disposal. Since it can be dangerous to health. Because of these features, when there was a depressurization of the lamp in the room, it is better to call representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

And also need to have information about all products that are not worked the warranty period, you can return the organization-seller. In such cases, even provided for the possibility of a refund or replacement exercise.

The duration of the warranty period can be up to 2 years, accurate information sometimes will learn by examining the data indicated on the packaging.

And if the collection point far?

It often happens that the fluorescent lamp has developed a laid resource, so it needs to be disposed of, but the point of collection is not a short and unprofitable to go there, but the desire to just throw no.

In this situation, a person can simply pack a flask in a plastic bag and put it in a sturdy container.

Which may be any rigid container that can prevent depressurization of the fixture due to careless handling. Next, it is necessary to put in place, which will not reach up to children, animals.

In this way the lamp storage can be performed over a long period, but, nevertheless, it should not exceed six months. A specified amount of time will be enough to find a convenient way to deliver the lamp at the point of collection.

In addition, there are commercial organizations involved in recycling of mercury-containing products in many major cities. Specialists who perform the collection, and they come to the right place on a call. But in most cases, for this service have to pay.

As a result, it can be advantageous only to large enterprises, who have to solve the problem with dozens, hundreds of blown bulbs.

Utilization of damaged lamp

No one can protect yourself from any untoward accidents. Therefore it is always necessary to remember that to get rid of the burned unit, and sometimes it is necessary urgently to this need to be prepared. After all depends on the speed - whether caused damage to health or the environment.

Safety measures when the product is damaged

So, if the illuminating any room Fluorescent Lamp was defeated, was damaged, then the person in order to avoid poisoning, it is necessary to take prompt action.

Which include:

• evacuation of people and animals;
• ventilation of the room;
• cleaning the bulb residues;
• call representatives of the MOE.

It should be remembered that the evacuation is to be performed immediately after the detection of lesions of the fluorescent lamp. At the same time somewhere it is not necessary to run at breakneck speed, enough to pass into the next room.

The room itself, which is depressurized lamp, must be isolated, that is tightly closed doors. If they do not, then you should use a cloth, the other improvised material. And only after that to open windows for ventilation performance.

The procedure should be exactly in the order described from the fact that the ventilation wind blowing the whole apartment there is a high probability that significant accumulation of mercury vapor will spread it throughout the area, and some of them accumulate in "dead zones" and can affect health tenants.

Isolation facilities will also help prevent the spread of glass breakage to save up for their substance in the other rooms.

The duration of ventilation should be no less than 20-30 minutes. During this time the bulk of the mercury vapor will evaporate, and people will be able to perform cleaning. What airways must be protected cotton-gauze bandage or a damp cloth.

To work, you can use two pieces of cardboard. One of them will serve man scoop and the other to use as a broom, sweeping them remnants of broken construction elements.

Bare hands to help itself is not necessary, since the mercury particles can easily penetrate through the skin pores. That for a few minutes can lead to serious poisoning.

If parts of a broken light fixture fell on the carpet, soft toys, they should hang out for a thorough airing. The duration of which should be a few hours.

Then all these things can be used at home without any further processing. Since they will be completely safe after weathering of mercury vapor.

The collected glass cullet throw anywhere is not necessary, it is better to pack in plastic, sealable container, any other capacity. Further remains of fluorescent lamps should be handed over to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which is mandatory to call.

Even if the owners of the premises to successfully cope with the elimination of the consequences of their own, the presence of rescue is necessary for them to check the suitability of housing, any other type of location people there.

And if necessary, the surface in contact with the mercury can be treated with special solutions, which finally eliminate health hazards.

All of these actions after the depressurization of any fluorescent tube should be made mandatory, and residents should not reassure the absence of any signs of danger.

Since mercury vapor have no color or smell, which means that their presence will not be able to detect without special equipment. Although short-term concentration of substances in the room where the lamp is broken, will exceed the allowed rate of tens, or even in a hundred and fifty times.

How does recycling specialists?

Delivery of fluorescent lamps to collection point is only the first stage of processing. Since this is a fairly long and complicated operation that can be performed only with special equipment.

The next step is cutting utilization of lighting, which is done through the installation called demerkurizator. Where they split into smaller elements in order to free all mercury particles.

Which then bind the sorbent and fall into a condenser, where they are deposited, transformed into molten metal. The final step is to send it to the company for further use.

Another type of processing used allows freeze pair in the vacuum chamber. That also makes it possible to receive the liquid metal, exactly as used in thermometers. Further it can be used in industry.

In addition, an important task for recycling is the separation of a few grams of phosphor - a number contained in the composition of each of fluorescent lamps. Though he is less harmful than mercury, but still represents a hazard. Therefore, subject to obligatory disposal.

But even waste lamps represent some danger to humans. And for leveling this factor, phosphor and other parts during transportation to the places processing packaged in a sealed container, sprinkled with cement that is capable of binding residues mercury vapor.

Our site contains material on the topic: what is needed and how the replacement of fluorescent lamps to LED. Recommended Reading and. Learn more - read Further.

Conclusions and useful videos on the topic

Movie about what harmful mercury-containing lamps and how to properly dispose of them when the resource will be developed:

The following footage shows how a sealed tube processing occurs in harmful vapors to health:

Procedure for disposal of the ordinary citizens and organizations is to transfer the fused fluorescent lamps equipped with collection points. It is not always convenient, and businesses in general, have to pay, but it is necessary to do. Since non-compliance leads to a substantial negative impact on the environment, and hence on human health.

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