Safety Tips To Prevent Mercury Contamination From Compact Flourescent Lights (CFL)

The following information is provided on the NY State website http://www.getenergysmart.org/ :

Mercury Content and Recycling
What is Mercury?
Mercury is an element found naturally in the environment. Human activities, such as burning coal for electricity and using mercury in manufacturing, increase the amount of mercury cycling through the air, water, and soil. According to the EPA, the main sources of mercury pollution are coal-burning power plants, about 40% of total emissions worldwide. American power plants pump 96,000 pounds of mercury into the air annually.

Where can mercury be found at home?
Mercury is used in products because of its excellent conductivity and high surface tension so it can be found almost anywhere!

Why is Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs)?
Mercury is an essential part of a CFL, allowing it to be an efficient light source. Inside the fluorescent tube there are electrodes at both ends, a gas containing argon and mercury vapor. A stream of electrons flows between the electrodes at both ends of the tube. The electrons interact with mercury vapor atoms floating inside the tube. The mercury atoms become excited, and when they return to an unexcited state, they release photons of light in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. These ultraviolet photons collide with the phosphor coating the inside of the tube, and the phosphor glows, creating white light.

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury (an average of 4 to 5 milligrams of mercury) sealed in the glass tubing, which is about enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen.

How can I tell how much Mercury is in a CFL before I purchase one?
As of September 2008, all ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are required to list their mercury content on the packaging. Avoid purchasing non-ENERGY STAR CFLs because this information is not required on their packaging.

Does Mercury escape into the atmosphere when using a CFL?
No mercury is released when CFLs remain intact (not broken) or while they are in use. The only time mercury from a CFL is emitted into the environment is when a CFL breaks. In fact, CFLs are typically manufactured using recycled materials. If CFLs are recycled properly the mercury can continue to remain in safe hands and be repurposed for safe and useful purposes.

Can I throw my burned out CFL in the garbage?
New York State households can currently dispose of CFLs as normal household waste. Businesses must follow a different set of regulations regarding the disposal of CFLs. However, NYSERDA and the EPA are encouraging New Yorkers to use and recycle them safely. Careful recycling of CFLs prevents the release of mercury into the environment and allows for the reuse of glass, metals and other materials that make up CFLs. NYSERDA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for CFLs, and is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options.


Why should I recycle my old burned out or broken CFLs?
CFLs have a small amount of mercury in them and they need to be managed properly at the end of their useful lives. Last year alone, American’s purchased 400 million CFLs! It is important to properly recycle CFLs today so there is not a problem in the future.

What happens when my CFL is recycled?
A CFL is like a small computer with all the electronics inside the ballast. When a CFL reaches a recycler, all the components are separated. The glass and mercury are separated and actually resold to manufacturers.

How do I recycle my CFL?
There are several ways to recycle your CFL:
Check out for a participating CFL Collection Center near you. The retail stores and civic organizations listed are trained to take in, store, and ship CFLs to professional recyclers who will manage them correctly.

Take advantage of local recycling options through your municipal landfill or transfer station.

Many towns or counties have household hazardous waste collection days where CFLs can be dropped off for recycling. Visit the Department of Environmental Conservation and www.earth911.org for more information.

Look for organizations that are creating products to recycle CFLs. The U.S. Post Office, Waste Management, IKEA, and other organizations are exploring or implementing CFL recycling programs.

What do I do if a CFL breaks in my house?
A broken CFL containing a small amount of mercury is not likely to present any excess risk to you or your family. However, proper clean-up methods should be followed. These simple clean-up instructions will ensure safe removal of broken CFLs:

Before clean-up, make sure you ventilate the room. Make sure that people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area for 15 minutes. Be sure to open a window and shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-up on hard surfaces. Using stiff paper or cardboard, carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar), or in a sealed plastic bag. Use sticky tape (such as duct tape) to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag. DO NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. This will flick the particles all over the room.

Clean-up on carpets or rugs. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealed plastic bag. Use sticky tape (such as duct tape) to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum only the area where the bulb was broken. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of clean-up materials. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal day. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.

More information is available on the NY State website.

Khalid Rehman

New Study on Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism

A new study by Cecilia Giulivi and colleagues confirms that the mitochondria are dysfunctional in autism. This study once again shows that the defective mitochondria make it difficult for children with autism to handle the oxidative stress of day to day environmental challenges. The research paper was published in the recent issue of the Journal of American Medical Association Vol: 304, Number 21, Page: 2389. December 1, 2010.

The researchers from the University of California at Davis studied the mitochondrial function in children aged 2-5 years with established diagnosis of autism and compared them to age matched but genetically unrelated typically developing children. They used the data from the CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risk From Genes and Environment) study in California, which was a population based, case controlled investigation.

Mitochondria are small organelles that are responsible for the energy production needed for the cell’s function. It has been suggested that the mitochondrial dysfunction may influence the social and cognitive deficits and the altered energy metabolism may affect the processes highly dependent on energy such as neurodevelopment.

Unlike previous studies, where the mitochondria from muscle tissue were analyzed, the authors of this study studied the mitochondria from the blood samples of these children. They studied the oxidative activity of the mitochondrial enzyme NADH, hydrogen peroxide production, plasma pyruvate and lactate levels, deletions and over-replications of the mitochondrial DNA.

The results show that the oxidative activity in the mitochondria of children with autism was one third (4.4 vs 12) that of the typical children, and the mitochondrial dependent oxygen consumption was impaired. “The increased oxygen reactive species production observed in this study is consistent with the higher ratio of oxidized NADH to reduced glutathione in the cells and the mitochondria of the children with ASD, supporting the concept that these cells from children with autism present higher oxidative stress”, the authors note.

80% of the affected children had three times higher level of pyruvate in the plasma. This was considered to be due to the deficiency of PDHC (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex). PDHC deficiency could contribute to brain dysfunction. Since the gene encoding the PDHC is located on the X chromosome, mutation in the X-linked gene may explain the 4:1 ratio of autism between boys and girls.

The study also showed that the children with autism had twice the mitochondrial rates of hydrogen peroxide production. “ Thus the mitochondria in autism had a lower oxidative phosphorylation capacity but also contributed to the overall cellular oxidative stress”, the authors commented.

Of the children with autism, 20 % had deletions and 50 % had over-replication of the genes in the mitochondria. It is hypothesized that the over replication of the mitochondrial DNA may be an attempt by the cell to overcome the defective mitochondria in the cells.

The authors state that “whether the mitochondrial dysfunction in children with autism is primary (genetic and possibly causative factor) or secondary to as-yet unknown (environmental injury) event, remains the subject of future work”.

The funding for this study was provided by University of California, MIND Institute Gift Funds, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and Autism Speaks. The study is published in JAMA, December 1, 2010, The abstract of the article can be accessed here: Abstract

Khalid Rehman, M.D.

Book Reading by Kim Stagliano: "All I Can Handle. I'm No Mother Teresa"

Kim Stagliano with Sabeeha Rehman

On Nov. 10, Kim Stagliano gave her first book reading, of her first book - at NAA NY Metro. What a unique way of introducing one's book! She was packed with humor - and her story is not funny. Actually it is heart-wrenching, but Kim got through it with her sparkling sense of humor and sheer determination. For those of you who don't know, Kim has three girls with autism. Three girls! Three beatiful girls. Just think about it. And that is what this book is about. But it is more than that. It is a book about survival; its a book about beating the odds; and its a book about emerging through the trials and tribulations of unemployement, huge health issues, moving in and out of one home after another, financial collapse, and just about anything and everything that you don't want to deal with if you had a choice. And Kim emerges with a shine and a smile, mesmerizing her audience with her wit, loveliness, and charm. Kim's memoir is a superb book! She makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you wince, makes you cringe, makes you angry, and gives you hope. Can a book on autism be funny? This one is. Read it. That is a direct directive.

Read all about Kim's Kimoir at: http://kimstagliano.blogspot.com/

Sabeeha Rehman

Next Generation Beverage Makes A Generous Donation to the National Autism Association

Rich Wilson, Kim Mack Rosenberg, Sabeeha Rehman and NY Giant Brandon Jacobs

On January 21st, Next Generation Beverage sponsored an Action for Autism Gala to benefit NAA-NY Metro's parent organization -- the National Autism Association -- and the Eden II Programs. NAA-New York Metro Chapter accepted a donation of $5,000 on behalf of the National Autism Association. Representing NAA were New York Metro Chapter board members Sabeeha and Khalid Rehman, Kim Mack Rosenberg, Mary Hernandez, and Stuart Flaum. The event was held at the beautiful Marina Del Rey Caterers in Throgs Neck and special appearances were made by Brandon Jacobs of the NY Giants, Fernando Martinez of the NY Mets , and former NY Ranger Ron Greschner, who has founded the Ron Greschner Foundation to support autism research and awareness.

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