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

Paradigm Group today announced the introduction of their newest “Tree Free” tissue products. Paradigm Group will introduce their 100% “Tree Free” bath tissue in August 2010 for the retail and industrial channels.

Mr. Ralph Bianculli, CEO of Paradigm Group, states: “Following our roll out and record breaking success of the 75% “Tree Free” facial tissue, bath tissue and dinner napkin, introduced by the Duane Reade drug chain during Earth Week 2010, we accelerated our production plans towards 100% “Tree Free”.

“I am extremely proud of our production and marketing team, who worked relentlessly in developing the final product. Their due diligence was clearly confirmed by huge success we are having both in the retail and industrial sectors.”

Lenny Blumenthal, VP of Production, adds: “Bamboo is a grass, not a tree. Cotton Textile Waste is a reclaimed product that would otherwise be used in landfills and is considered a waste product. By combining these ingredients we are able to produce an eco-friendly product that is both strong and soft.

“We are excited to add new lines to this fascinating and game changing product material, which can measurably change mankind’s impact on our fragile eco landscape,” Mr. Bianculli concludes.

Emerald Brand 100% “Tree Free” products are made with Bamboo and Cotton Textile Waste and are 100% Biodegradable.

Emerald Brand 70% “Tree Free” products are made from readily renewable Sugar Cane Fiber (70% Bagasse) and Eucalyptus, which is also a readily renewable resource.

By using Emerald Brand “Tree Free” Products you”ll be environmentally responsible without compromising quality.

To learn more about Emerald Brand and “Tree Free” products please contact us at (516) 496-0000 or email us at info@paradigm-grp.com.

About Paradigm Group
Paradigm Group is a full service facilities products manufacturer and distributor of facility related products. Additional services include brand development, product Sourcing, Market Research in addition to sales and facility Consultant programs. Product specializations include Environmentally Responsible disposables and cleaning supplies, Warehouse and Mail Room packaging, Break Room disposables, and Washroom products for the workplace. For more information visit www.paradigm-grp.com or call 516-496-0000.

The Kristen Renee Foundation has launched a campaign to research and investigate the findings associated with Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater. In April 2009 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater to the National Priority List (NPL) based on tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) detections in offsite drinking wells. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) which confirmed residential areas located next to Fort Detrick had traces of these chemicals and were highly contaminated for years. Area B was initially established as a proving ground for the Army’s biological weapons program (circa 1946; test grid area). Area B was also used for buried disposal of a number of contaminants including biological materials, test animal carcasses, radiological tracer materials, phosgene cylinders, and drums containing organic solvents (TCE, PCE, etc.; http://www.epa.gov/reg3hscd/npl/MD985397249.htm).

Kristen Renee passed away two years ago from a brain tumor, now a mere two years later her mother is battling stage four cancer, their home was in Frederick, Maryland, near Fort Detrick. There have been many before their family and there are many currently in the area battling with similar situations. Many found with recent diagnosis are just 30-35 years old. Most are battling or have fought a form of lymphoma and many other cancers. Their addresses were all within 6 miles of each other, all surrounding Fort Detrick.

On July 10th, 2010 The Kristen Renee Foundation, past and present residents of Frederick, Maryland will assemble for a Town Hall meeting to discuss the EPA findings, research, and try to stop this from happening to future generations in and around Fredrick, Maryland. This town meeting is a time to come together and ask the right questions and get the answers that could potentially save you and your family. Many of you or your neighbors may have had to fight these horrible battles. Please join Kristen Renee’s Family and the Kristen Renee Foundation on Saturday, July 10th at 4:00PM in Frederick, Maryland. For more information about the town hall meeting please visit www.fightingforfrederick.org.

About Kristen Renee Foundation
The Kristen Renee Foundation is an endowment devoted to financing the research and cure for brain cancer in memory of Kristen Renee White. Kristen died at the age of 30 on April 30, 2008 after a long difficult battle with brain cancer. Kristen was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, wife, and friend. Through this foundation the family and friends of Kristen carry on the battle against brain cancer in hopes of one day a cure will be discovered.

About Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick is an active U.S. Army installation operated under the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). Fort Detrick includes six non-contiguous land parcels (designated as Areas A, B, Area C Water Treatment Plant, Area C Waste Water Treatment Plant, Forest Glen Annex, and Glen Haven Annex). Areas A, B, and C, are located within the city limits of Frederick, Maryland. Area B is approximately 399 acres and includes the Fort Detrick active municipal landfill, an animal farm (for research purposes), a former shooting range, waste disposal areas, an explosives storage area, and open fields used for historic research activities

For more information please contact ARL Marketing & Public Relations, Inc at 954-323-6787 or via email at: andrew@arlmarketing.com for media coverage, press kits and live interview requests.

ARL Marketing | Public Relations is a firm that develops and executes programs that help company’s achieve their sales and marketing objectives. We offer a broad range of services to our clients that include marketing/public relations, branding, special event planning & management, sponsorship/fundraising, business development, and media relations. Our firm has a client base that expands all over the country.