Energy Saving Bulbs: An Emerging Threat to Public Health, from Mercury Contamination of the Environment

Authors

  • Best Ordinioha Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Keywords:

Energy Saving Bulbs, Mecury Contamination, Environmental Threat

Abstract

Energy saving bulbs are promoted for their efficiency and capacity to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, the acknowledged cause of global warming and climate change. They however contain varying quantity of mercury that can easily contaminate the environment. Mercury is a neuro-toxin, but damage has also been reported in the kidney, skin and the cardiovascular system. There is therefore an urgent need to emphasize the safe disposal of the energy-saving bulbs as their use increase in Nigeria. Recycling programme should be institutionalized, with the active participation of the manufacturers and importers of the bulbs; while education programme should be mounted on the handling and safe disposal of broken bulbs.

References

Energy Star. Frequently Asked Questions Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury. November, 2010. Accessed from the website:thhttp://www.energystar.gov/cfls,on15August, 2012.

United Nations Environment Programme. Mercury in products and wastes. Geneva. UNEP.2008

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological profile for mercury. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. 1999.

Ordinioha B,SawyerW. Solid waste management in some oil bearing communities in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria: Implications to community health. Port Harcourt Medical Journal 2012; 6: 251 25

Leton TG, Omotosho O. Landfill operations in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. Engineering Geology 2004; 73: 171 177.

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Published

2015-12-21

How to Cite

Ordinioha, B. (2015). Energy Saving Bulbs: An Emerging Threat to Public Health, from Mercury Contamination of the Environment. The Nigerian Health Journal, 12(3), 55. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/136

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