Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Mercury Vapor

As fluorescent lamps and CFLs increasingly become businesses and consumers’ primary lighting choice, more states are taking action to address the health and safety issues associated with their use. While fluorescent lamps are considered as a more energy-efficient bulb than traditional incandescent bulbs, these lamps are fragile and, upon breaking, release mercury vapor that can be detrimental to handlers' health—from those involved with handling new bulbs to people involved with storing, packaging and shipping used lamps.

To address the potential dangers of unsafe packaging and transportation of used fluorescent lamps and mercury containing devices, many states are taking a stand to increase awareness by enforcing their own legislation. In March 2010, Washington took the first step in creating a law that requires lights and other mercury-containing devices to be packaged and shipped in material that will minimize the release of mercury into the environment. The law also states that packages should include mercury vapor barrier materials if lamps are transported by the United States postal service or a common carrier or collected via curbside programs and mail-back businesses.

Additional states have addressed this health issue with their own, more specific regulations regarding lamp disposal, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Massachusetts, California, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and Rhode Island. To read about these laws and find out more information regarding state regulations, read our "Additional State Regulations" post.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Fluorescent Lamp Disposal State Regulations

While the federal government doesn't require recycling of all fluorescent lighting, several states have addressed this health issue with their own, more specific regulations regarding fluorescent lamp disposal. Minnesota, Massachusetts, California and Vermont are among states that prohibit disposal of all mercury-product waste in landfills. New York has a similar ban, with an exemption for households and businesses with 100 or less employees disposing of 15 or less non-hazardous waste lamps per month. Many other states prohibit non-household generators from disposing of any mercury containing fluorescent lamps in solid waste landfills regardless of TCLP test results, including Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and Rhode Island.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

Understanding Mercury Waste Regulations

Mercury waste regulations are important to ensure a healthy and safe environment. Local and state environmental regulations and EPA enforcement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), regulate the generation, treatment, storage, handling, clean-up, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes, including products which contain mercury. Mercury-containing lamps, batteries, and medical and electrical equipment and devices are regulated as Universal Wastes. Find out more at these United States Environmental Protection Agency Sites:

Federal Mercury Regulations

State Mercury Legislation and Regulations

State Universal Waste Regulations

Federal Universal Waste Regulations

State Mercury Medical & Dental Waste Programs

1997 Mercury Report to Congress

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC