There are many ways we are exposed to toxins (summertime smog, walking along vehicle traffic, asbestos fibers from building materials, PCB’s and/or mercury in food such as fish and dairy products). Depending exposure levels and durations, environmental toxins can cause irritation to lungs, nose, skins, and eyes, as well as chronic disease, disruption of organ function, and/or cancer.
MERCURY
The primary source of mercury in the environment is coal fired powerplants. Burning coal can release mercury at the rates up to .079mg-.129/kW-hr. In the U.S. coal provides about 50% of our electricity (approximately 4,056 TW-hrs/year: 1 TW= 1 trillion kWs). Mercury emissions are carried in the air and fall out onto soil and waterways where they it can be converted by bacteria into a more toxic form called methyl mercury and/or bio-magnify up food chains to dangerous levels. Pregnant or nursing women are advised not to eat fresh water fish in the state of Massachusetts do this mercury pollution.
Ironically during the GCC 2008 the issue of mercury exposure came into focus as energy saving CFL bulbs contain up to 5 mg of mercury, which could impact your health if the bulb is broken and not handled properly.
1. Broken CFLs Directions: click cfl-saftety-info.doc or go to http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/brkncfls.htm
2. Recycling Spent CFLs: click for locations nearby locations to recycle in MA click on cfl-recycling-locations.pdf or go to
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/lamps/region1.htm
for sites in all New England.
Further information for mercury products exchange and waste handling: click on cfl-saftety-info.doc
Mercury compounds can adversely impact the nervous system but its toxicity depends on its exact chemical form and level and length of exposure: got to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html for detail information
Worcester Academy needs to begin working on addressing mercury safety issues and on compliance with the MA Mercury Management Act (mamercurymanagementlaw.doc) as well as with its ongoing amendments http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/hgres.htm#doing
The Upper School Science Department, under the leadership of department chair, Fran Smith, began a first phase of classroom equipment mercury remediation (barometers, thermostats etc.)
VEHICLE COMBUSTION OF FOSSIL FUELS
Burning gasoline and diesel fuel releases greenhouse gases, smog and acid rain compounds, and carcinogenic hydrocarbons. Vehicle idling is illegal in MassachusettsMDEP explains the health hazards of vehicle idling and current laws, click on http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/community/schbusir.htm. WA has begun to discuss idling initiatives.
ASBESTOS
Is a highly durable and nonflammable silicate fiber used for dozens of applications, primarily in building materials. This past summer WA had two major asbestos remediation projects. First was the asbestos found in the window casings of Saint Vincents Hospital during its demolition (below left) and the other was asbestos mastic found underneath the Walker roof shingles.
