To prevent Mercury, which is a toxic element used in various lights like Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFls) and Tubular Fluorescent lamps (TFls), from spreading into the environment, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to consider upgradation of treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDF) in the country.
A plea filed by a NGO called Toxic links had approached the green panel against unregulated and unrestricted disposal of CFl leading to contamination of environment and human health. It contended that TSDFs were ill equipped to deal with "CFls/Mercury bearing lamps" as per the Minamata Convention on mercury and there was a need to upgrade such facilities.
It sought directions from the bench was headed by Justice U D Salvi to frame standards of mercury content in CFls in accordance with international norms.
Minamata Convention on mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.
The petition alleged that by not following the strict standards for disposal of mercury in CFls, it is exposing public health to a very hazardous toxic, in violation of Article 48-A (Protection and improvement of environment) and 47 (duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health) of the Constitution.
Taking note of the plea, the NGT asked Toxic links to approach CPCB within a month for upgradation of TSDFs to handle mercury lamps and other allied products in an environment friendly manner.
As per the bench, the representation made by NGO shall be duly considered by the CPCB in light of the latest technical inputs and the present status of the CFl/mercury lamps and allied products and it shall take such decision as the facts and technical inputs so warrant in the environmental interest, particularly, in keeping with the Minamata Convention .
The tribunal also directed CPCB to upload the decision taken on the issue on its website and allowed Toxic links to approach NGT in case of delay in taking decision.
