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Mercury-Containing Lamps: Uses, Science, and Environmental Impact

Learn about the properties of mercury, how it is used in lighting products, and the environmental impact of mercury-containing lamps. Discover why these lamps are beneficial for energy consumption, building codes, and indoor spaces. Explore the different types of mercury-containing lamps and where they are manufactured. Find out the amount of mercury in lamps and its contribution to mercury emissions.

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Mercury-Containing Lamps: Uses, Science, and Environmental Impact

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  1. Mercury-containing LampsJennifer R. Dolin, LEED APManager, Sustainability and Environmental AffairsOSRAM SYLVANIAjennifer.dolin@sylvania.com

  2. What is mercury? • It can neither be created nor destroyed • Mercury is a naturally occurring element • Mercury has special properties that make it the perfect element for use in lighting • When mercury is charged, it produces UV, which excites the phosphor in a lamp, causing the phosphor to emit visible light

  3. Brief science lesson on mercury-containing lamps • Lamp begins life with pure mercury • As lamp operates and ages, pure mercury is “consumed” • Combines with the glass • Combines with the phosphor • Combines with the deposits on the bulb wall around the filament • Combines with any other impurities in the lamp • Amount not bound up is very small

  4. Why use mercury-containing lighting products? • Reduce energy consumption • Meet building codes • Reduce maintenance costs and lamp replacements due to longer life • Improve look and feel of indoor spaces • Address safety issues

  5. Types of mercury-containing lamps • Linear Fluorescent • Straight fluorescent tubes • U-shaped tubes • Circular tubes • Compact Fluorescent • Pin-based • Integrated ballasts (CFLi) • HID • Metal Halide • High pressure sodium • Mercury vapor

  6. Where are mercury-containing lamps made? • Fluorescent lamps • Three major manufacturers – GE, OSRAM SYLVANIA and Philips – manufacture lamps for US market primarily in NAFTA some newer types manufactured in Europe CFLs • Pin-based CFLs are made primarily in Europe and Asia • Virtually all CFLi are all made in China • TCP is the leader in this market HID lamps • Manufactured primarily in NAFTA, but some in Europe, Latin America, and Asia

  7. Number of lamps sold in the U.S. • Linear Fluorescent • - Approximately 600 million in 2007 • - Available for recycling 4 to 6 years later (commercial lamps) • CFLi • - ENERGY STAR estimates 290 million sold in 2007 • - Available for recycling 7-10 years later • CFL pin-based • - Approximately 50-60 million • - Available for recycling 3-4 years later • HID-Approximately 38 million in 2007 - Availability for recycling varies widely with type and use

  8. How much mercury is in lamps? • Fluorescent • Manufacturers have reduced the amount of mercury in linear fluorescents by over 90% over the past two decades • Average mercury content is 8.3 mg based on last NEMA survey in 2004 (currently working on new survey) CFLi • NEMA companies have committed to a maximum mercury content of 5 mg for CFLs up to 25W, and 6 mg for higher wattages • Current average is 3 to 4 mg

  9. Amount of Mercury in Lamps 3.0- 4.0 mg Mercury Dose Manufacturer use recycled mercury in lamp manufacturing process

  10. National 5-year Mercury ContributionFluorescent Lamp vs. Incandescents Milligrams of mercury • Lamp life – 20,000 hrs fluorescent, 750 hrs incandescent • Number of lamps = 1 fluorescent, 21 incandescent • Hg per lamp = average 8 mg fluorescent • Based on fossil fuel power generation and 12 hour per day usage • Emissions factors: U.S. EPA’s Emissions & Generation Resource • Integrated Database’s (eGRID) [1] State Data MS-Excel tables-- • eGRID [1] 2007 • State-Level Average All (Total) Generation Electricity Emission • Factors

  11. Mercury Contribution Over 5 YearsCompact Fluorescent Lamp vs. Incandescent Milligrams of Mercury • Lamp life = 8000 hrs for CFL, 1000 hrs for incandescent • Hours in use = 4 hours per day • Number of lamps = 1 CFL, 8 incandescents • Hg per CFL = 3 mg industry average • Emissions factors: U.S. EPA’s Emissions & Generation Resource • Integrated Database’s (eGRID) [1] State Data MS-Excel tables-- • eGRID [1] 2007 • State-Level Average All (Total) Generation Electricity Emission • Factors

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