To LED or not to LED: The Global Opportunity to Remove Toxic Mercury from Lighting The Clean Lighting Coalition explains the issues surrounding the disposal of toxic mercury from old lighting fixtures, and what we can do to help.
“G
ood for public health, the environment, energy saving, carbon saving and the climate crisis… so why is there any resistance?”
Most professionals in the lighting
design community reading this are likely already only specifying LED lamps in
their designs, without context for global issues surrounding the continued use of so-called legacy technologies. As
developed and industrialised markets increase efforts and
regulations to limit the manufacture, sale, distribution and
installation of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, underregulated markets must not become dumping grounds for
outdated, environmentally damaging lighting products. In
emerging economies, fluorescent lamps are still one of the
market leaders, often having a greater market share than the more efficient LEDs. Professionals influence policy makers; this article is a global call to action to stop environmental
dumping of legacy, toxic technologies in emerging markets. Until a decade ago, fluorescent lights were viewed as the
energy-efficient alternative to less-efficient incandescent and halogen lights. Fluorescent lighting however contains
mercury, a known neurotoxin that is extremely hazardous to
people and the environment. Mercury is on the World Health Organisation’s top 10 most dangerous chemicals to public
health. Mercury exposure can affect the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidney, skin and eyes. While the risks associated with mercury in fluorescents were tolerated as a necessary trade-off for the efficiency benefits,
this is no longer necessary given the widespread availability of LED alternatives.
Typically, less than 10% of mercury [in fluorescents] is recovered. A 2016 report by the Danish Environment
Protection Agency found that Denmark had achieved an overall lamp collection rate of only 36%. Note that Denmark has one
of the highest collection rates in the EU. In the United States,
recycling rates have been reported at 29% for industry recycled
fluorescent lamps and CFLs, and at only 2% for consumers. The case is similar in other wealthy countries that have systems in place for electrical and electronic waste management;
recycling is still limited as the small size and weight of lamps makes them easier for consumers to dispose of in general
waste. When it comes to emerging markets, there is hardly any infrastructure to deal with any mercury hazardous waste and most of it ends up in the environment.
Availability of Mercury-Free Direct Retrofits
Today, thanks to major advances in LED technology, there are mercury-free LED replacement lamps available to replace all types of fluorescent lamps – different sizes, lengths, ballast types (i.e., magnetic/starter and high frequency electronic), colour temperatures, and regular, high output and ultra-
high light output levels. Lamps are also available that are “universal” and can operate on a variety of ballasts and
input power configurations. This approach to the design and marketing of the products removes barriers to upgrading to Nyamolo Abagi, CLiC
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mercury-free LED lamps by enabling the end-users to continue to use the same luminaires, and simply change the lamp.