Bill Text: HI HR205 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Department of Health; light bulb and sodium lamp disposal

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-21 - (H) Referred to EEP, FIN, referral sheet 43 [HR205 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HR205-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	205
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF FLUORESCENT, COMPACT FLUORESCENT, and HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LAMPS and TO RESTRICT or prevent the disposal of these items in landfills or by incineration.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, an element that is toxic to humans, and when found in the human body, even in small quantities, can result in internal bleeding, kidney failure, brain damage, and even death; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that on average, 49 percent of traditional fluorescent light bulbs contain seven milligrams of mercury, 66 percent of compact fluorescent light bulbs contain two and one-half milligrams of mercury, and 97 percent of all high pressure sodium lamps contain 30 milligrams of mercury; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is also estimated that eight million to ten million high pressure sodium lamps are imported annually into the State, of which an unknown number of lamps are incinerated at a waste-to-energy power plant or disposed of at various landfills; and

 

     WHEREAS, it takes only one fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamp containing five milligrams of mercury to contaminate 6,000 gallons of water; and

 

     WHEREAS, 500,000 fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps, containing an average of five milligrams of mercury per lamp, amounts to approximately five and one-half pounds of mercury; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State currently has no program or laws to regulate the proper disposal of fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and high pressure sodium lamps; now, therefore,
     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Health is urged to develop a program that includes an educational component, for the proper disposal of fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and high pressure sodium lamps; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health, through its various divisions and by use of its regulatory authority, is urged to restrict or prevent the disposal of fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and high pressure sodium lamps in landfills or by incineration; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report of the actions taken to comply with this request, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Health; light bulb and sodium lamp disposal