[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 INTRODUCTION OF A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FLUORESCENT LAMP 
                               RECYCLING

                                 ______


                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with Congressman Esteban Torres 
to introduce a Concurrent Resolution expressing the sense of Congress 
that the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] should adopt waste 
management policies and rules that minimize releases of mercury into 
the environment and encourage the recycling of mercury-containing lamps 
and other devices.
  Mercury contamination is a serious environmental health hazard in the 
United States. Over 30 States have issued human consumption advisories 
or bans on consuming freshwater fish because of unacceptable levels of 
mercury in the fish. The development of non-mercury containing 
batteries has cut down on a major source of mercury pollution. However, 
mercury contamination is still a national threat because of the 
increasing use of energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, which is soon 
likely to become the single-largest source of toxic mercury releases 
into the environment. In addition to environmental and public health 
concerns, we must also consider the negative economic impacts of 
mercury contamination on important tourism, fishing, and other 
industries across the country.
  The EPA has identified mercury as a hazardous waste and has 
determined that fluorescent lamps qualify as hazardous waste because of 
their mercury content. The EPA is currently considering public comments 
on a proposed rule that provides two alternatives for disposal of these 
lamps. The ``exemption'' option would exclude these lamps from controls 
designed to ensure safe handling of hazardous wastes. Exempting these 
lamps from hazardous waste standards would set a bad precedent and send 
the wrong message to States, businesses, and consumers. The correct 
alternative is the ``universal waste'' option, which would encourage 
the recycling of these lamps and would capture mercury before it is 
released into the environment.
  Currently, most mercury-containing fluorescent lamps are disposed of 
in solid waste landfills. When these lamps are broken in landfills or 
in transit, mercury is released into the air and may also leach into 
the groundwater. The use of energy-efficient fluorescent lamps has 
greatly increased, largely due to the successful EPA Green Lights 
Program. Using fluorescent lighting makes good sense. However, to be 
environmentally responsible, we must also ensure that we dispose of 
these lamps properly.
  Fortunately, there is an economically feasible solution to this 
problem. In States such as Minnesota and California, where State solid 
waste regulations prohibit the dumping of mercury-containing lamps into 
landfills, recycling has significantly increased--creating an awareness 
of the health, safety, and environmental concerns associated with 
mercury, as well as producing new jobs. In addition, these regulations 
have not diminished the relamping efforts promoted by the Green Lights 
Program. Costing only a few cents per foot of lamp, recycling is 
estimated to be only 1-2 percent of the cost of implementing the EPA 
Green Lights Program.
  For these reasons, I strongly support adoption of the ``universal 
waste'' option, and urge my House colleagues to support it as well. We 
must ensure that Federal safeguards to prevent mercury releases are 
strengthened, not weakened. The ``universal waste'' option is the only 
one that protects our lakes and rivers from mercury contamination while 
remaining consistent with the Green Lights Program's promotion of 
energy-efficient lighting. When we consider the long range effects of 
mercury contamination, treating these lamps as hazardous waste and 
encouraging recycling programs is clearly the environmentally and 
economically sound alternative.

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