Department of Public Works
City of Los Angeles
Fact Sheet
Energy efficient fluorescent lamps have gained widespread usage over the years compared to incandescent ones, fluorescent lamps are three to four times more efficient in converting electricity to visible light. This increasing use of mercury contained fluorescent lamps have led to growing concerns over its proper disposal. This fact sheet provides information on government regulations and guidelines on the proper disposal of spent fluorescent tubes and mercury vapor lamps.
Fluorescent lamps contain small quantities of mercury, cadmium and antimony. It has been estimated that between 450 and 500 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of in the United States each year, dumping over 30,000 metric tons of mercury contaminated waste into the nation's landfills'. Through improper disposal methods, mercury can travel from the soil to various water sources. Lakes have been found to be polluted with mercury, rendering fishes unsafe to eat. Concentration of mercury in fish at one Minnesota lake have increased 5 percent a year since 1970 according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency study. As mercury moves up the food chain, it becomes more concentrated. In concentrated foam, it is poisonous to the human nervous system.
" Industry estimates show that between 450 and 500 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of in the United States each year, dumping over 30,000 metric tons of mercury contaminated waste into the nation's landfills"
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been studying landfill disposal of fluorescent lamps for some time. The Agency's stand on the classification of fluorescent lamps as RCRA waste is still unclear.
For the latest developments in federal regulations call:
Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA)
Assistance Information Hotline
(202) 554-1404
Resources Conservation Recovery Act
(RCRA) Hotline
(800) 424-9346
REV 5/92 City Hall
200 N. Spring Street Room 353
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 237-1209
In California, the Cal-EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control would, in general, regulate the management of spent fluorescent light tubes and spent mercury vapor lamps destined for disposal as the management of hazardous wastes, because mercury is listed as a hazardous waste under Title 22, California Code of Regulations, Section 66261, and because the spent tubes and lamps typically contain enough mercury to qualify as toxic hazardous wastes under Title 22, CCR, Section 66699. Pending the development and adoption of regulations specifically addressing the management of spent fluorescent light tubes and spent mercury vapor lamps, the Cal-EPA DTSC has adopted the following as a temporary policy:
A generator may dispose of as nonhazardous waste no more than 2S spent fluorescent light tubes and/or mercury vapor lamps, regardless of size, at any one time in one day (eg., 20 tubes and 5 lamps or 15 lamps and 10 tubes, etc., but not 25 tubes and 25 lamps).
The Cal-EPA DTSC believes that the 25-tube and/or lamp limit would reasonably represent the maximum amount of mercury (based on the average quantity contained in each tube or lamp) that may be disposed at one time. Questions regarding this temporary policy should be directed to:
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, California 95812-0806
(916) 324-1807
Any generator requiring disposal of more than 25 lamps can either have these materials recycled or disposed of in a Class I landfill.
Mercury is classified as both hazardous and toxic by both the State of California and the Federal EPA. Fluorescent lamps often contain over three times the concentration of mercury allowable for landfill disposal in California. Disposal of spent tubes and lamps at a designated hazardous waste landfill can be costly and lead to increased liability in the long run. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Federal EPA, State EPA and courts can hold any individual or corporation liable for cleanup of a hazardous waste site regardless of the extent of their contribution. The risk of being a potentially responsible party (PRP) is causing many generators including small businesses to look for alternatives to landfill disposal.
Some generators have turned to incinerators as a disposal option. Once the lamps are heated, these incinerators can emit mercury vapors that can travel over 200 miles, increasing the area of mercury contamination. The EPA reported that the 187 incinerators nationwide emit approximately 70,000 pounds of mercury each year.
A good alternative is to recycle mercury containing lamps and tubes. There are several companies in California that process and recycle spent fluorescent lamps. In choosing one, the following precautions must be taken:
The process developed by Lighting Resources, Inc. involves dissembling the lamp and mechanically separating the materials with the help of a proprietary equipment. Aluminum end caps are mechanically removed from the intact fluorescent lamp. The aluminum is then sent for recycling. A vortex of air is induced into the lamp to separate the mercury from the lamp phosphor. The remaining glass is now environmentally clean and is recycled by a local company. Mercury not recovered at the facility is sent for processing in a vacuum mercury retort recovery still and is fully recycled.
For more information, please write or call:
Lighting Resources, Inc.
386 S. Gordon Street
Pomona, CA 91766
(714) 622-0881
Another company, Mercury Technologies, uses a crusher/separator to isolate the various lamp components. A machine separates the phosphorescent powders lining the interior of fluorescent lamps from the rest of the lamp material. The heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, etc.) contained in the lamps are removed along with the powders and the glass and tips. Once the powders and metals are removed from the glass by machines, the glass is commercially reusable. 'Me phosphorescent powders containing the metal are processed locally in a thermal recovery system wherein the mercury is recycled.
For more information, please call or write:
Mercury Technologies Corporation
140 W. Industrial
Benicia, CA 94510-1014
Toll Free: (800) 628-3675
In a facility managed by Mercury Recovery Services, the fluorescent tubes are cleaned of the powders which contain the mercury. The powders are captured in 55 gal. drums through the use of a cyclone separator and a bag house. Mercury vapors resulting from the process are then run through a series of filter boxes which removes any escaping powders and capture the mercury in the beds of activated carbon. The crushed glass and end tips are captured in a 55 gal. drums under the crushing equipment. The end tips are separated from the glass and are stored for recycling. The powder is sent to a permitted treating, storage and disposal facility for the reclamation of mercury.
For more information, please call or write:
Mercury Recovery Services
2021 South Myrtle
Monrovia, California 91016
(818) 303-2053
The recovered materials can be used for different purposes. For example, end caps can be recovered for use as beverage containers and other aluminum in a manufacturing process. Phosphor can be used to enhance fertilizers. Glass can be used for containers that will not hold food, or as filter for concrete. Mercury could be collected and reused. Non-recycable wastes such as cadmium and antimony contained phosphorescent powders are disposed of in Class I landfills.
Mason, John A., "Recovering Toxic Mercury From Fluorescent Lamps," Electrical News, Pacific Southwest - Monthly, Vol. 8, No. 12, December 1991.
2 Cole, Richard, "Poisonous Mercury on the Rise," San Francisco Examiner, December 1990.
'Mercury Technologies
'Noble, Michael, "Fluorescent Light Tube Crushing, Separation/Recycling of Mercury and Other Lamp Components," Proceedings of Hazmacon '92, Assn of Bay Area Governments, Long Beach, California.
Taken from Health Issue Assessment, Mercury Health Effects Update, Final Report, US EPA, August 1984 and Mercury, HESIS Medical Guidelines, State of California, Department of Health Services, Department of Industrial Relations CALIOSHA, March 1983.
Mercury (Hg) is the only metal in a liquid form at room temperature. Mercury vaporizes readily and tends to form small droplets, greatly increasing surface area and vaporization. The global cycle of mercury involves the emission of Hein the atmosphere on a widespread basis, possible conversion to unidentified soluble species and return to land and water by various depositional processes.
The major source of human exposure to mercury is through the consumption of fish and fish products. Uptake of mercury vapor is through inhalation, whereas uptake of inorganic and methyl mercury compounds is primarily through oral ingestion. The lung is the primary target organ after acute respiratory exposure. Once absorbed, mercury in all forms is distributed via the blood stream to all tissues in the body. However, in the case of methyl mercury, tissue distribution is more uniform. Mercury vapor and methyl mercury readily crosses the blood-brain and placental barriers.
Chronic exposures to mercury compounds primarily affect the central nervous system and kidneys. Depending upon the form of mercury and level of intake, effects on the adult nervous system can range from reversible paresthesias and malaise to irreversible destruction of nerve cells in the cerebellar and visual cortices, leading to permanent signs of ataxia and constriction of visual field. Predominant symptoms from chronic exposure are neuropsychiatric ("mad hatter syndrome" or "erethism") and include tremor, anxiety, incapacitating shyness and irritability. Onset of symptoms may be insidious over years.
Prenatal life is the most sensitive stage of the life cycle to methyl mercury poisoning with effects in infants ranging from psychomotor retardation to a severe form of cerebral palsy.
While the Information contained in this package has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and correct, the Hazardous and Toxic Materials Office and the City of Los Angeles makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respects to the use of my Information disclosed in this publication and does not assume any liabilities or ability, expressed or implied, with respect to the use of, or for any damages resulting from the on of any information disclosed in this publication or the accuracy of the Information contained herein.
The Listing of a firm, agency, or program in this package does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement by the Hazardous and Toxic Materials Office or the City of Los Angeles This package is meant to be of assistance in the establishment, maintenance, and furtherance of a hazardous waste minimization and control program; It is not intended or designed to give legal advice on compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
City of Los Angeles
Board of Public Works
Hazardous and Toxic Materials Office
200 N. Spring Street, Room 353
Los Angeles, California 90012
For further Information and assistance or to request additional publications please contact the HTM Office at:
City of Los Angeles
Board of Public Works
Hazardous and Toxic Materials Office
200 N. Spring Street, Room 353
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 237-1209
The Board of Public Works Hazardous and Toxic Materials Office was established by the Los Angeles City Council in 1988. The purpose of this program is to promote the National policy of minimizing hazardous waste generation and encourage age citywide compliance with hazardous materials and waste requirements. Technical assistance is provided to City agencies and Industry through on-site consultation, information dissemination, and waste assessments.
Last Updated: November 13, 1995