The Ministry of Health today announced that it will be collecting old X-rays from the Luxembourg population to help support Pharmacists Without Borders.
As digital radiographs are gradually beginning to replace former x-ray practices, the question remains of what to do with older siler-based x-rays.
The Ministry of Health has now proposed a solution. Previous forms of x-rays containing silver salts act as environmental pollutants if not treated properly and are considered hazardous waste which cannot be disposed of along with conventional household waste.
Left out in nature, an X-ray would take more than 300 years to decompose, but if recycled by specialist companies, the silver metal they contain can be recovered and reintroduced into the precious metal market. Indeed, reprocessing one tonne of negatives holds the potential to recover 10kg of silver.
It is for this reason that the Ministry of Health is calling on the public to donate their old X-rays, which will then be handled by a specialist firm in Germany. Money reclaimed from subsequent sales of the precious metal will in turn be donated to the Luxembourg branch of Pharmacists Without Borders, creating a positive and sustainable solution for everyone.
Old X-rays can be donated at the Minsitry of Health reception building at Villa Louvigny, Allée Marconi L-2120 Luxembourg, between the hours of 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00.
Photo by Ministry of Health
