Sustainable Management of Fluorescent Lamp Waste in Local Waste Management Areas
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Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate mercury contamination in the air within fluorescent lamp waste storage areas and to analyze the effect of ventilation on reducing airborne mercury concentration, in order to develop safe and sustainable waste management guidelines. The results revealed that rural areas still generate and use fluorescent lamps at significantly higher proportions than urban areas. Measurements of airborne mercury in storage facilities showed that closed areas exhibited mercury concentrations more than 50 times higher than open areas. Specifically, non-ventilated storage rooms recorded an average concentration of 520.9 ± 160.3 ng/m³, whereas open areas averaged only 10.9 ± 5.4 ng/m³. Controlled chamber tests indicated that broken fluorescent lamps released a large amount of mercury vapor during the first 10 minutes, with a total average emission of approximately 8 milligrams per lamp. Simulation using the mass balance model demonstrated that cross ventilation was significantly more effective in reducing mercury concentration than single-sided ventilation. When properly sized openings were applied, the mercury concentration decreased dramatically—from 520.8 ng/m³ to only 21.7 ng/m³—highlighting the direct correlation between ventilation rate and reduction of mercury accumulation. In conclusion, effective management of fluorescent lamp waste should begin with proper source separation between fluorescent and LED lamps, the use of durable and sealed containers during transport, and storage in facilities with adequate ventilation rates, all under a legally compliant hazardous waste management system. These measures are essential to prevent environmental contamination and mitigate long-term health risks in a sustainable manner.
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