Toxics in that glow: mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in India
CFLs use less energy than the conventional incandescent lamps reducing the mercury (Hg) emissions associated with generating the energy to power conventional lamps. There are however, environment and health issues related to CFLs as they contain mercury that is integral to them (the white light produced by CFLs is possible because of the presence of mercury). Toxics Link has undertaken this study to assess the total quantity of mercury present in CFLs with an objective to reduce mercury levels in lighting products and flag the issue of its end-of-life management: