State environmental experts worry that smashing old TVs, monitors and laptops in so-called ‘rage rooms’ may release hazardous waste or potentially harm customers’ health.
While the businesses have been growing in popularity, some California environmental officials say they are worried that operators often don’t know about safety regulations and could be releasing hazardous waste into the environment. One high-ranking state environmental regulator says her department is too thinly staffed to do anything about it.
“You’re getting exposed to flying airborne particles and you don’t even know you’re being exposed,” she added. The agency didn’t conduct air sampling, so it’s unclear the degree to which the release of the heavy metals was a health risk to customers or employees. The inspector did indicate, however, that it was a concern, documents show.
Some of the businesses explicitly state on their websites that they don’t allow patrons to smash certain toxic items. “We have lost inspectors in a variety of programs,” Rist said. “They come for the mission but leave because there are other opportunities and don’t like being undervalued.” Without the state, oversight of rage rooms could fall to local regulators, as has happened in Los Angeles.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello Tackled by Security at Band’s Toronto ConcertRage Against the Machine's Tom Morello was accidentally tackled by a security guard at the band's Toronto concert.
Read more »
Tom Morello Accidentally Tackled After Fan Rushes Stage at Rage Against the Machine ShowTom Morello was accidentally tackled by a security guard after a fan rushed the stage at a Rage Against the Machine show
Read more »
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello accidentally tackled by security during Toronto concertA security guard accidentally tackled Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello — who then fell off the stage — when a fan rushed the stage during a Toronto, Canada, concert.
Read more »
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello accidentally tackled by security during concertTom Morello of the rock band Rage Against the Machine appeared OK after being tackled off the stage.
Read more »