Medical imaging films including CT scans and X-rays, originally used to record patient bone and organ images, are now being purchased in bulk by buyers. What are they used for? One answer is silver extraction. Recently, it has been observed that as silver prices fluctuate, waste medical films containing silver have turned from trash to treasure, leading to an increase in recycling activity. Many vendors specializing in recycling old films have appeared around residential communities.
A vendor recycling CT films next to a food market in Beijing's Xicheng District stated that he has been in the renovation business in Beijing for over 20 years and added CT film recycling after the Spring Festival this year. "Because silver prices rose in previous months, the recycling price for CT films also increased from 0.5 yuan to 1.5 yuan per sheet. Although silver prices have since dropped, the recycling price hasn't changed much," he said. The vendor reported collecting nearly 20,000 CT films over more than two months. "One kilogram of films can yield about 3 to 5 grams of silver. I don't have processing equipment; I sell all the films to a processor in Guangdong, making 1 yuan profit per sheet," he added.
Apart from increased street-level recycling, online advertisements for recycling waste medical films have also multiplied. Some individuals have actively sold their films, with offers such as "71 sheets for 200 yuan, shipping included."
An imaging department doctor confirmed that some medical films can indeed be used to extract silver through processes like electrolysis or chemical replacement to separate and purify the silver contained in the films.
However, lawyers warn that such recycling practices may be illegal. The process of extracting silver from medical films involves using strong acids and alkalis, producing toxic waste liquids and gases. Improper handling can severely pollute water bodies and soil, and cause human poisoning or cancer. Consequently, waste films are classified as HW16 photosensitive material waste in the National Hazardous Waste List, identified as toxic hazardous waste.
Legal experts clarified that "street vendors without operating licenses, who profit from purchasing, centrally storing, and reselling waste medical films from the general public, are engaging in typical illegal collection and storage of hazardous waste. Although they may not process the films, this constitutes an administrative violation. In severe cases, such as causing environmental pollution, it may lead to charges of environmental pollution under criminal law."
"Ordinary residents selling small quantities of household medical films to vendors are generally considered part of daily life activities and not deemed illegal," lawyers noted. However, they cautioned that films contain personal names and medical information, and selling them could lead to unauthorized access and misuse of personal data. Residents are advised to seal films in opaque bags and dispose of them in "hazardous waste" bins.
Additionally, medical institutions are legally obligated to include waste medical films in the medical waste management system.
In a documented case from the China Judgments Online, a individual was sentenced for illegally refining silver. From 2012 to 2016, the person purchased over 150 tons of waste films to extract silver without a hazardous waste operating license, and discharged wastewater directly into a nearby pond. Authorities seized 3.66 tons of waste films and 22.66 kg of refined silver blocks. The films were confirmed as hazardous waste. The individual was convicted of environmental pollution, receiving a nine-month prison sentence and a 10,000 yuan fine.
Lawyers emphasized that China's Solid Waste Pollution Environment Prevention Law requires hazardous waste disposal units to obtain licenses; otherwise, they face administrative penalties. Moreover, silver extraction from silver-containing waste that causes environmental pollution may lead to ecological damage compensation lawsuits or civil public interest litigation, holding responsible parties liable for restoration costs and damages.
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