Mercury
Mercury is a poisonous metal. It affects the nervous system adversely after prolonged exposure to a significant concentration. However, minute amounts of mercury are necessary for efficient discharge lamps. The mercury is contained in the glass bulb of the lamp and can not escape into the environment unless the glass is damaged. To obtain the maximum environmental benefit from these energy saving lamps, OSRAM follows a multi-part strategy: Reduce the mercury contained in our lamps to the lowest technically necessary levels, recycle lamps all over the world, and inform the public about mercury.
Why mercury?
A fluorescent lamp consists of a glass tube, a gas filling, electrodes and a phosphor layer. After the necessary operational voltage is applied to the two electrodes of the lamp, a gas discharge between the electrodes is established. Experiments have shown that the best choice for the gas filling is not a regular gas or gas mixture, but mercury vapor.
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Reducing mercury
OSRAM aims to reduce the content of mercury in all its products to the lowest amount technically possible. We have done that in the past and we are putting all our efforts to further reduction. Therefore, OSRAM follows a ‘no step backwards’ policy, which prohibits increases in hazardous contents when developing new products.
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Recycling of mercury
Recycling is essential for lamps containing mercury. Consequently, OSRAM is actively involved in recycling systems, processes and activities on an international basis in cooperation with other stakeholders.
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Facts about mercury
In the last few years, mercury has moved into the public focus owing to the discussion on replacing inefficient incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps, which contain small amounts of mercury. Although it sounds paradox, using discharge lamps actually saves mercury in most parts of the world.
Handling broken lamps
The only time a consumer might be exposed to mercury is if the glass of a lamp is broken. In this case there are certain rules to follow in order to minimize the exposure.
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