紐約市同意支付5萬美元的罰款，並啟動一項綜合計劃，以妥善管理城市所產生的有害廢棄物──含有毒物質汞的廢棄熒光燈管和含鉛的電腦顯示器。
根據一項與美國環保署於8月17日達成的和解協議，紐約市不僅願意遵守法規，甚至還將更進一步撥款至少300,000美元的經費建置多功能設備，一項自我審查的方案，以評估是否合乎危險廢棄物管理的要求。
該計劃將涵蓋800多個紐約市政府持有或經營的建築物。
環保署代理區域主任帕弗盧（George Pavlou）表示：「隨意棄置而導致這類廢棄物所含的汞和鉛釋出到環境中的話，很可能對民眾的健康構成嚴重威脅。 我們非常高興看到紐約市採取行動來防止這類物質滲入環境當中。更可貴的是還進一步建立一個非常完整的自我監測計劃。」
該和解協議起因於環保署審查紐約市政府委任全市行政服務處（Department of Citywide Administrative Services）部門所管理的7幢大樓内，發現其對含汞燈泡和舊電腦顯示器有處理不當之嫌。
環保署自2003年至2005年的檢驗結果發現，該部門沒有將廢棄熒光燈或舊電腦顯示器當作危險廢棄物加以妥善處理、沒有達到標示的規格，而且也沒有為防止損壞而將廢棄物加以妥善包裝，甚或釋出有毒物質到環境當中。
根據環保署，接觸到汞，其為熒光燈泡中的一個成分，可能對人類的神經系統產生不良影響。接觸到大量的汞有可能造成大腦和腎臟永久的損害。短暫的接觸可導致肺損害、血壓上升及皮疹。
環保署還表示，接觸到電腦顯示器中的鉛，可能會導致兒童神經發育遲緩和其他不利於成年人健康的負面影響，包括血壓上升、腎炎和腦血管等疾病。
電腦顯示器和和熒光燈泡可加以回收或處置，以降低其毒物釋放到環境中的風險。
查看更多含水銀燈管的管理信息請點擊這裡。
欲了解更多有關回收電腦顯示器，請點擊這裡。
New York City has agreed to pay $50,000 in penalties and launch a comprehensive program to properly manage hazardous waste generated by the city - discarded fluorescent light bulbs that contain toxic mercury and computer monitors that contain lead.
Under a settlement reached Monday with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the city agreed not only to comply with requirements, but also to surpass them by spending at least $300,000 on a multi-facility, self-audit program to assess compliance with hazardous waste management requirements.
The comprehensive audit program will cover more than 800 buildings owned or operated by the City of New York.
"Mercury and lead from such wastes can pose severe threats to people's health if they are released into the environment when they are haphazardly tossed out," said George Pavlou, EPA acting regional administrator. "We are very happy that the city is taking steps to prevent these types of substances from entering the environment and is going beyond compliance to establish a very extensive self-monitoring project."
The settlement resulted from EPA inspections of seven buildings managed by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, an agency of the city, that revealed improper disposal of mercury-containing light bulbs and used computer monitors.
EPA inspections from 2003 to 2005 found that the department had failed to make a hazardous waste determination with regard to spent fluorescent lamps or used computer monitors, had failed to meet labeling requirements and had failed to package the waste properly to prevent damage or release of the toxics into the environment.
Exposure to mercury, a component of fluorescent bulbs, can adversely affect human nervous systems, and exposure to high levels can permanently damage the brain and kidneys. according to the EPA. Short-term exposure can result in lung damage, increased blood pressure and rashes.
Exposure to lead, found in computer monitors, may cause delayed neurological development in children and other adverse health effects in adults, including increased blood pressure, nephritis and cerebrovascular disease. the EPA says.
Both computer monitors and and fluorescent bulbs can be recycled or disposed of in a manner that lowers the risk of release into the environment.
Click here for more information on the management of mercury-containing lamps.
For more information on recycling computer monitors, click here.
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
