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The problem with recycling heavy metals

Recycling is considered as one of the ways to control the problem of every solid wastes in our homes, towns and cities. However, there is a big problem associated with it especially where heavy metals are the subject recyclables. Recycling is simply a means of converting waste into reusable materials. It has been in use for a long period of time now. The main problem with recycling metals is the exposure to the contaminating substances. People working in heavy metals recycling industries are more likely to be exposed to them. Therefore, threatening their lives even more. This is because they may not be able to fully prevent themselves from the exposure of heat and fumes coming out when the metals are melted. Lead poisoning is common with its recyclers. Examples of heavy metals include Lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, and cadmium. Many of them cause severe health problems with people who often interact with them.

The problem of exposure to contaminants in heavy metals can however be controlled and fully eliminated. This can improve the health of these workers. This is by coming up with technologies capable of preventing the exposures from reaching those working in these recycling facilities. Research studies should also be conducted by environmental scientists to figure out the concentrations in each contaminant when it undergoes recycling and its impact in the environment. One of the reasons why the issue of exposure to recycling products have been persistent is that most of the existing policies consider employer as the main player in reduction of exposure. It is true that the employer has a big role to play in reduction of exposure to the recycling waste. However this paper would be based on the fact that reduction of risk exposure is a collective responsibility involving different parties, which include: the owner of the plant or the employer, the employees, the officers in charge of the plant, the designers, manufacturers, suppliers, importers and installers.

According to OSHA, employers appear to have more part to play as far as exposure to metal recycling hazards is concerned. OSHA entrusts the employer with more responsibilities as far as reduction of exposure to risk is concerned. According to OSHA, employers should be aware of the potential impurities in their source scrap, and should also prepare themselves to monitor for hazardous levels of those metals and chemicals (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 2008). In the first place, OSHA advises the employers or the owners of the plant to acquire their scrap metal supply from reliable sources that follow the established guidelines and should also request for material data safety sheets and labels for the scrap metal where available. According to the article entitled “What You Need to Know about Hazard Communication,” every employer is expected to obtain MSDSs and labels for scrap metals (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 7). Another role of employer is to provide for protective equipments. OSHA requires every employer to provide and ensure that the employees use the appropriate combination of personal protective equipments such as hard hats, sturdy boots, gloves, thick clothing and respirators.

OSHA also expect the employers to be knowledgeable about the probable emissions during the recycling process such as metal fumes and vapors, organic vapors, and acid gases. According to OSHA, the employers should refer to MSDSs to obtain specific information related to potential exposure. One thing that should also be noted as far as metal recycling is concerned is that there are certain metals that are regulated by OSHA. They are referred to as OSHA-Regulated Toxic Metals. These metals include Antimony, Iron, Tantalum, Arsenic, Lead, Tellurium, Barium, Magnesium, Thallium, Beryllium, Manganese, Tin, Bismuth, Mercury, Titanium, Boron, Molybdenum, Uranium, Cadmium, Nickel, Vanadium, Calcium, Osmium, Yttrium, Chromium, Platinum, Zinc, Cobalt, Rhodium, Zirconium, Copper, and Selenium (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 2008).

One thing that should be noted as far as these metals are concerned is that they do not pose any hazard to people easily. The hazards related to these metals exist only when the metals are grounded, blasted, roasted or melted and fumes or metal dusts are produced and distributed in the air. Arsenic exposure, for example occurs in contaminated workplace air resulting from smelting operations. It is common in recycling facilities that deal with various nonferrous metal alloys or with electronic semiconductors. Such exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. Exposure to high concentration of arsenic is associated with many health problems, which include irritated lungs, sore throat, damage to blood vessels, and even lung cancer.

To reduce such exposure, OSHA has come up with a substance-specific standard regarding exposure to inorganic arsenic in general industry. The employers are expected to have such standards within them and they should also provide to the employees. Another common metal that is risky is lead. It is one of the most recycled metal (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 9). US is the world’s largest recycler of the lead scrap. Most recycled lead comes from batteries, where the primary process involve smelting used batteries. OSHA also has developed an eTool used to describe ways to reduce lead exposure to employees.

Mercury is another hazardous metals to note. It is mainly found in the fluorescent lighting. In fluorescent lighting, mercury content was used to reduce the extent that light bulbs produced, and, as a result, in the late 1990’s fluorescent bulbs contain less than 50% of the mercury used in those manufactured in the mid-1980’s (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 2008). (Reese) The question arises, despite the reduced amount of mercury in these lamps, are fluorescent bulbs hazardous? Under current federal and multiple state law, mercury-containing lamps may be considered a hazardous waste. In addition, they contain other materials, such as lead and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which could be potentially harmful to human health and the environment (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 2008). As stated in the Federal Register, “mercury has proven mobile in municipal solid waste landfill environments, migrating in leachate to contaminate ambient groundwater at concentrations exceeding the federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) used for drinking water.” (Federal Register) (Occupation Safety and Health Administration 11). The Department of Health offers generators the option of classifing spent lamps as either hazardous wastes or universal wastes (Rogers 51).

To encourage universal recycling, creating an easy method for people is key. Recycling at home or work generally involves expending additional time, space, effort and even money. Low disposal fees leave disposal an inexpensive method. Creating accessible recycling facilities is as necessary as educating the public on the importance of proper disposal for the welfare of the community. Making products with recycled material slows the depletion of non-renewable resources such as metal, oil and natural gas, and reduces the encroachment of new mining and drilling operations.

Other players that must take part in reducing the exposure to metals include designers. It has been proven that safe design of a plant plays a critical role in eliminating hazards and risks before the plant is introduced in the workplace. Designer has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant is without risks to health and safety to workers throughout the life of the plant. Among other things, the designer must also provide specific information to the manufacturer. If the manufacturer advises designer that there are safety issues with the design, designer must revise the information to take account of these concerns, or tell the manufacturer in writing the reasons why such revision is not necessary. Designer also must arrange for the carrying out of any calculations, analysis, testing or examination to ensure the plant is safe and without risks to health and safety.

References

Reese Jr., Robert G. (1998).“Mercury” U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved from:

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/mercury/430498

Reeves, Dawn (2007). “GE Pushes for EPA Mercury Plan on Eve of Major Agency Bulb Campaign” Inside EPA.

Occupation Safety and Health Administration (2008). Guidance for the Identification and Control of Safety and Health Hazards in Metal Scrap Recycling. Retrieved from:

www.osha.gov

Neville, Angela “A 360-Degree View of Our Industry.” Environmental Protection January/February 2007: 20-22

Rogers, Wendy. Telephone interview. 12 Feb. 2007