Mercury risk exposes recycler to 145 killion pounds fine

摘要

VENTILATION and occupational hygiene problems at an electrical equipment recycling plant, which exposed workers to toxic mercury and lead, have led to fines totalling 145,000 pounds for a recycling firm and its director. Between October 2007 and August 2008, 20 employees working at Electrical Waste Recycling Group's Huddersfield site — which recycles fluorescent light tubes containing mercury and TV sets and monitors containing lead — were left with levels of mercury in their systems that exceeded UK guidance levels; five of these showed extremely high levels of the toxins. Several workers reported suffering ill health, including a pregnant employee who was concerned about the risks to her child. Employees at the plant also regularly came into contact with lead in dust from crushed TV sets and computer monitors.