Expressing astonishment that there is “no binding regulation or infrastructure” for disposal of mercury, a parliamentary panel has asked the Government to take concrete steps to ensure safe and scientific disposal of CFls. “The committee is astonished to note that even though short-term exposure to mercury affects nervous, digestive and immune system including lungs and kidneys, no binding regulation and adequate infrastructure for safe disposal of such a highly harmful pollutant has been developed,” the Committee on Demands for Grants (2015-16) on Environment Ministry said.
The committee said that if the situation is such in Delhi, the fate of other cities of the country can well be imagined. “A large number of companies are manufacturing it without confirming to prescribed standards for maximum mercury content with 5mg per CFl because the standards are voluntary and not mandatory,” it added.