Members of the Lamp Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently announced that they are reducing the maximum allowable mercury content in the CFLs that they offer for sale for typical residential use in the United States.
Under the new voluntary commitment, effective October 4, 2010, NEMA members will cap the total mercury content in CFLs of less than 25 watts at 4 milligrams (mg) per unit. The total mercury content of CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 5 mg per unit.
Mercury is an essential element in CFLs and allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. The additional milligram for lamps of 25 to 40 watts is needed to operate these higher-wattage lamps for higher light-output demands in the U.S.
This agreement builds upon the companies’ March 2007 voluntary commitment and is consistent with NEMA’s initiative to reduce use of hazardous substances whenever feasible.
Click here to see the companies that are making the new commitment. Companies that made the commitment at the March 2007 levels are listed here.
