18 May,2010 08:31 AM IST | | Anshuman G Dutta
Finally a system to counter the poisonous content of compact fluorescent lamps
Now light up, without fear.
According to highly placed sources in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the state government will soon acquire specialised machines to extract the poisonous mercury content from CFLs. "The project is at its nascent stages and it will take time to become operational. But finally people are talking about the mercury waste generated through CFLs," said a DPCC official on condition of anonymity.
Representative photo
Costing nearly Rs 4 lakh a piece, the machines will be procured from abroad and will be placed at select locations. "Such machines are already in use in western countries where CFLs are being used in large quantities. The machines extract the mercury content from the bulbs before crushing them and disposing them off," said the official.
Meanwhile a CPCB official added, on condition of anonymity, that there are plans to promote LED lighting system to get rid of the CFLs and consequently avoid mercury poisoning. "LED is the safest lighting system but it has a few limitations like low luminosity. But that is a lesser evil compared to the poisonous mercury," he said. He also expressed confidence that LED systems can be configured to maximise the light intensity.
The project would be initiated in all the municipal areas of the capital under MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantt. "We are preparing a concrete plan regarding the number of machines required along with a robust system of garbage collection to ensure that each CFL bulb is taken care of," he said.
But as is the case with most such projects, there are roadblocks. And this time the objections have come from completely unexpected quarters.
The hotel and hospital sectors have opposed the plan of shifting completely to CFL lighting. While the cost of the mercury extraction machines and who pays for them remain big concerns for the businesses, they say they are facing difficulties in making the switch.
"Hotels and hospitals are putting up stiff resistance in front of the project but we are looking for a solution," said the CPCB official.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) recently conducted a day-long seminar for energy audit and promotion of LED lighting systems. "At least 25 per cent power can be saved in all industries if they switch over to LED systems. But resistance comes in with questions on the cost of the LED panels. Due to low demand they cost a bit more than CFL and other systems," said Dalip Singh, president of Society of Energy Engineers and Managersu00a0-- a professional body which is pitching for energy conservation and promotion of LED systems.
| Let there be light! |
| In USA and almost entire Europe there is a complete ban over discarding the CFL bulbs in open garbage. The waste bulbs are collected and recycled by government approved agencies with technologies to extract mercury before destroying the bulbs. China, which has become the leader in producing CFL bulbs, has registered numerous cases of Mercury poisoning in the factory workers where the bulbs are used and recently introduced directions for its uses and disposal. "In some European countries the CFL bulbs are used only for factory lighting. There is a complete ban in using these bulbs in houses," said a DPCC official.u00a0 |
