Nov 7 2008
Background
Types of Smoke Detector
Safe Disposal of Smoke Detectors
Background
Smoke detectors save lives, but in some smoke detectors dangers lie within. When considering household hazardous waste, the most dangerous could well be a humble, broken smoke detector.
Types of Smoke Detector
There are two types of smoke detector; optical detectors and ionization chamber detectors. Household ionization detectors contain a circuit board with a detection chamber. Inside the detection chamber is a radioactive foil. Although very small, the piece of radioactive foil presents a hazard to individuals.
Safe Disposal of Smoke Detectors
Although smoke detectors are normally disposed of in landfill, they should not be thrown out with general household waste. Local authorities and councils should be consulted on their particular preferred method of smoke detector disposal. In most cases the will put a bulk load of old smoke detectors in a special container, encase it with concrete and put this in a special area of the landfill.
Source: AZoCleantech