1. Mercury - Toxic, Environmental Destruction
Whilst globally we worry about reducing greenhouse gasses it appears we overlook and need to focus on
the immediate dramatic damage caused by mercury. Mercury has been and is causing dramatic
environmental damage. Where does this damaging mercury come from?
We established the Eco E group to reduce energy costs, globally, in major commercial and industrial
facilities. In planning our energy managed service solution # we included a complete replacement of the
current lighting system with Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lighting.
Of course because of the efficiency of LEDs this dramatically reduces the energy load and in turn the
production of greenhouse gasses which is a huge environmental positive.
But when assessing the logistical task of removing and cleanly destroying the current lighting in major
projects we realised the massive number of lamps to be replaced and the operation of these lamps relied
on mercury. Lamps in lights for: streets, offices, retail, government and industrial complexes worldwide
all contain mercury.
These lamps have a finite life, which means they are continuously replaced. Some resources claim as high
as 85% of lamps are for the replacement market. In the USA there are approximately 600 million +
fluorescent tubes (each of which contains 4-5 milligrams of mercury) turned over annually. In Australia,
SITA claim 60 million turnover per annum but, of major concern, they claim 95% end up in land fill even
though Australia has regulation for the safe disposal of these lamps.
“Mercury and Human Health
Mercury pollution can be a serious health threat, especially for children and pregnant women.
Humans risk ingesting dangerous levels of mercury when they eat contaminated fish. Since mercury is
odourless, invisible and accumulates in the meat of the fish, it is not easy to detect and can't be avoided
by trimming off the skin or other parts.
Once in the human body, mercury acts as a neurotoxin, interfering with the brain and nervous system.”*
In the USA pregnant, nursing women and those with young children are being advised not to eat or
provide certain fish types by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
“Once mercury enters a waterway, naturally occurring bacteria absorb it and convert it to a form called
methyl mercury. This transition is particularly significant for humans, who absorb methyl mercury easily
and are especially vulnerable to its effects.
Mercury then works its way up the food chain as large fish consume contaminated smaller fish. Instead
of dissolving or breaking down, mercury accumulates at ever-increasing levels. Predatory fish such as
large tuna, swordfish, shark and mackerel can have mercury concentrations in their bodies that are
10,000 times higher than those of their surrounding habitat.”*
* Natural Resources Defence Council

2. LEDs contain no mercury so by replacing the current lighting totally with LED lighting components we
have removed the toxic mercury lamps and their ongoing replacements forever. In one project,
currently under due diligence, we estimate approximately 450,000 fluorescent lamps will be replaced.
This one project will be a significant and positive impact on the environment. We are proud of our
program and look forward to making further major inroads into the removal of mercury based lamps by
the replacement with LED.
# (The Eco E energy managed service solution includes a complete replacement of the current lighting
system with LED components, centrally monitored, together with full ongoing maintenance with no
upfront cost and a single monthly fee which when combined with the new reduced electricity bill
guarantees an immediate 20% reduction on current lighting costs.)
Lionel Barden
Managing Director