Managing the disposal of toxic fluorescent lights is one aspect of proposed changes to the state s dangerous-waste regulations that will be discussed at a public hearing being held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. This means that businesses will need to reconsider how they dispose of their fluorescent light bulbs. Disposal options for a specific business depend on the amount of used light bulbs being generated each month and the amount of other dangerous waste being generated at the facility. Fluorescent lights and high-intensity discharge lights may contain large amounts of mercury.
Some lamps also have lead in their components, usually in solder in the lamp base.
Mercury and lead are toxic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ecology are concerned that if fluorescent lights continue to be disposed in solid-waste landfills, the landfills might leach mercury into the environment, possibly contaminating drinking water. Mercury is highly toxic, even in small amounts. We can go a long way toward protecting the environment if we properly manage most of the fluorescent bulbs used. If the amendments to the state s dangerous-waste rules are adopted, many businesses will have to dispose of fluorescent lamps at specific landfills or recycle the lights.