Light bulb manufacturer calls for liquid mercury ban

The company – whose entire range of lighting products made in Xiamen, China are free of liquid mercury – says that consumer safety is currently being compromised by lax regulations which allow inferior and potentially hazardous products to be sold through shops and Internet retailers. The company said it was actively lobbying at the EU in Brussels and in other European countries. The company said it had carried out exhaustive research into what happens when different types of low energy bulbs – known as CFLs – get broken in a confined space. While those types – including its own products – which use a safe form of amalgam – are safe when broken, those which contain liquid mercury can release mercury vapour in concentrations which exceed internationally agreed safety limits. While mercury in various solid and liquid forms has to be used to make all fluorescent lights (including low energy bulbs) work properly, Megaman says that it does not have to be used in its most dangerous liquid form, but can be used safely in a solid amalgam form combined with other elements. Also of concern is the safe disposal of old lamps or broken lamps and the potential effects on the environment. All low energy bulbs lamps now have to be disposed of in recognised recycling points but it is a fact that many lamps containing liquid mercury are broken in the process, allowing mercury vapour to escape into the environment. In contrast, bulbs containing mercury in its solid amalgam form are quite stable, safe and minimise environmental pollution. Adrian Kitching, OEM Director of Megaman UK, believes that DEFRA and other authorities now need to take steps to protect consumers and the environment by tightening up on existing regulations. He says: "While all fluorescent lamps need mercury to work correctly, liquid mercury is classified as a hazardous substance internationally. But Health & Safety regulations do currently allow liquid mercury in low energy bulbs, even though there is a much safer alternative in solid mercury amalgam. We believe that EU regulations need now to be changed to only allow the safe amalgam form, effectively banning the use of liquid mercury completely. We are lobbying European governments on this basis."