While some states have recently taken steps to address the dangers of unsafe packaging and transportation of used fluorescent lamps and mercury-containing devices, there is still a long way to go in protecting people and the environment from mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Read more about recent legislation here: http://www.nextcom.com/pressreleases/vll/126.html

The EPA estimates recycling rates of fluorescent lamps at only 20 to 25 percent, leaving the majority to be placed in dumpsters and eventually end up in landfills–where they may emit hazardous mercury vapor into the environment. The consumer recycling rate has been estimated to be even lower–possibly at less than 2 percent.

Mercury-containing waste that isn’t properly recycled poses a serious environmental and health concern. Safe recycling facilities exist, but should be encouraged by new rules and regulations. New legislation should also ensure that used fluorescent lamps are packaged in configurations proven to effectively contain mercury vapor emitted from broken lamps.

Read more here: http://vaporlok.blogspot.com/

Next Communications is a full service marketing communications firm specializing in print, online and search marketing. For further information, contact Dennis Gallaher at 952-934-8220 or dennis.g@nextcom.com or www.nextcom.com

According to EPA estimates, approximately 75 to 80 percent of fluorescent lamps are not recycled and are usually placed in dumpsters or trash containers. Fluorescent lamps in dumpsters present a considerable danger. One study found that mercury is “strongly and persistently” emitted from dumpsters that contain broken fluorescent lamps (1). The data indicates a preliminary loss rate of ~25mcg/h from one bulb contained in a closed dumpster. The bulb continued to emit mercury at this rate for more than a week, and at ~50 mcg/h on the 8th day following breakage.

Federal policies contain exemptions that help keep the recycling rate low. For instance, lamps that pass the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) mercury test are currently exempt from recycling requirements. However, some lamp manufacturers put extraneous additives in the lamps–such as ascorbic acid–that compromise the test and skew the results.

In 2000–following an extensive debate focused on whether or not a disposal ban should apply to lamps that pass the TCLP–the Maine Legislature decided to enact the ban on all mercury-added lamps. New and used lamps from ten popular lamp models were collected and tested for total mercury and TCLP mercury by dedicated testing procedures. Results indicate that lamps that pass the TCLP test contain comparable total mercury results as the corresponding lamps that fail TCLP, suggesting that the disposal ban on all mercury-added lamps is appropriate (2).

Read more here: http://vaporlok.blogspot.com/

1. Lindberg, S.E.; Owens, J. PaMSWaD (Pathways of Mercury in Solid Waste Disposal); Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (LMER). 1999. 6.
2. Maine Fluorescent Lamp Study, DRAFT 1.0, November 15, 2001.

Next Communications is a full service marketing communications firm specializing in print, online and search marketing. For further information, contact Dennis Gallaher at 952-934-8220 or dennis.g@nextcom.com or www.nextcom.com

Westchester mover GENTLE Giant Moving Company, which recently celebrated four years as a fully-operating moving and storage company in Westchester County, is pleased to announce it will be the only Westchester moving company on site at the always popular Best of Westchester event, this July 14 at the Glen Island Harbour Club.

GENTLE GIANT provides moving and storage across town or across the country and is the recipient of numerous awards. The company is particularly well known for its charitable involvement with Westchester organizations such as the Westchester Children’s Museum and Bartow-Pell Mansion, both of whom will have “Giant” moving assistance at upcoming events.

At Best of Westchester, Tarrytown Moving Company Gentle Giant will offer “giant” treats as well as the opportunity to be photographed with the company’s signature oversized yellow feet! The company is also raffling off a free move.

“Bringing Gentle Giant to Best of Westchester is part of our overall philosophy of being a vital part of the community and getting to know other companies and individuals with whom we can do business,” according to Noah Duarte, New York Regional Manager at Gentle Giant Moving Company, who was recently named by the Business Council of Westchester as a “Rising Star 40 under 40″ honoree.

The 10th annual Best of Westchester will feature the county’s best in several categories including shopping, food, nightlife and services.

About Gentle Giant Moving Company, Inc.
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, Gentle Giant is a premier residential and commercial mover, offering local, interstate, and international service. Named one of the Boston Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Massachusetts in 2004, 2005, and 2006, winner of the 2006 International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics by the Better Business Bureau, winner of the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Excellence in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008, nine-time winner of Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston,” six-time winner of The Improper Bostonian’s “Boston’s Best Moving Company” award, seven-time winner of the Angie’s List “Super Service” award, and 2007 Top Small Workplaces award from the Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces, the company’s services include craning, piano moving, complete packing and unpacking services, and other related services. Gentle Giant offers storage facilities and dispatches crews from its sixteen offices in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington State. For more information, please call (617) 661-3333 or visit the company online at http://www.gentlegiant.com.