What About That Old TV?

With most attention focused on reducing, reusing and recycling common household products, we often forget about another group of items that contribute to waste disposal problems and can be potential health hazards - durable goods. In a 1990 EPA study, televisions, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats, electronic devices, refrigerators and other household appliances accounted for 23% of the nation's solid waste volume. Many of these products are significant sources of lead, mercury, cadmium, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The table below will help to identify common sources of hazardous waste in durable goods.

Television A brand new TV contains some 4,000 chemicals and 500-600 grams of lead. This lead, from the solder in the circuitry and the glass of the screen, may leak out of landfills and into drinking water supplies. Human consumption of lead can result in damage to the brain and central nervous system.
Fact

Refrigerator Refrigerators can create a disposal problem if they contain CFCs, a class of ozone depleting chemical. New refrigerators are CFC-free but old ones may have CFCs in the cooling system and foam insulation. Although CFCs in cooling systems must be captured prior to disposal, no law currently regulates CFCs in foam.

Flourescent light bulbs Fluorescent light bulbs, thermostats and some light switches contain mercury. If incinerated, the mercury-containing ash may leach out of even the most state-of-the-art landfill and into the environment. Mercury can damage the kidneys and the nervous system.

Fact

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