Email: lgaumond@eastlongmeadow.org

For immediate release: October 4, 2004

For further information,

Contact - Leon A. Gaumond Jr., Executive Secretary 525-5400

Recycling fluorescent lamps is encouraged

East Longmeadow, MA -- The Town of East Longmeadow and the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), a non-profit environmental organization, are making it easier for residents to recycle light bulbs that contain mercury. Many types of light bulbs contain mercury, including compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes, high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, bulbs used in tanning salons and others. The Town of East Longmeadow requires appropriate disposal all of spent bulbs. Residents can drop off their bulbs at the Somers Road Transfer Station for no charge provided that the resident has purchased the Annual sticker to access the transfer station.

Keeping mercury out of the trash through recycling can make a real difference in our town. When a mercury containing bulb is thrown into a compactor, dumpster, or trashcan, the shattered glass releases mercury vapors into the air. Those vapors can be inhaled by anyone in the area. Even if the bulbs aren’t broken during transport to the disposal site, when they arrive, the risk is high that mercury will be released into the air and soil. Eventually, the mercury ends up in lakes and streams. Once in our waterways, mercury starts the journey into the food chain. Most people are exposed to mercury from eating contaminated fish. This may include fish caught in the Connecticut River or commercially available fish, such as tuna steaks, swordfish, halibut or king mackerel.

Even small quantities of mercury are extremely toxic and can harm the human nervous system, vision and hearing. Mercury is especially dangerous for children and fetuses. The EPA recently estimated that every year 630,000 newborns in our country are at risk for health problems because of unsafe mercury levels.

Throwing mercury-containing lamps into the trash is prohibited by state and federal regulations (310 CMR 30), and enforced by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

With funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CET is available to help businesses comply with federal, state, and local regulations regarding lighting waste, including free technical assistance. CET’s role is non-regulatory. For over 27 years, CET has helped municipalities, businesses and institutions manage waste responsibly. Any business interested in participating can contact Lorenzo Macaluso of CET at 413-218-1543 or lorenzom@cetonline.org.