(MSDS)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Mercury Mercury is present in very small amounts in all compact fluorescent lamps. The amount of mercury present in any given lamp will vary depending on both the size of the lamp and the design life of the lamp. Compact fluorescent lamp types sold today contain less than 5 mg of mercury. 5 mg of mercury is extremely small, equivalent in size to the period at the end of this sentence. Section 3. Lamp Composition and Detailed Ingredient Information General Lamp Composition Glass & Metal The glass tube used in a standard compact fluorescent lamp is manufactured from soda-lime glass and is essentially similar but not identical to that used throughout the glass industry for bottles and other common consumer items. The lamp bases are generally nickel-plated brass. The coils in the lamps (called filaments or cathodes) are made of tungsten. An emission material covers the tungsten coil. The emission material consists of triple oxide (BaO, CaO, SrO) + ZrO2 in a quantity of 4-12 mg/lamp depending on type. Some 4-pin Compact fluorescent lamps contain 2-3 mg of titanium-hydride. None of these materials would present a hazard in the event of breakage of the lamp, aside from the obvious ones due to broken glass. Some fluorescent lamps (CovRguard® products) use an external coating of polycarbonate to provide a shatter-resistant coating. Phosphor The phosphor system (SP/SPX) uses a mixture of rare earth elements such as lanthanum and yttrium as either an oxide or as a phosphate, along with a barium/aluminum oxide. The phosphor components may vary slightly depending on the color of the lamp (SPX30, SPX35, etc.). Compact fluorescent lamps typically have a maximum of 1.5 grams of phosphor. Total phosphor weight will vary by lamp size and type. Electronic Ballast for Self-Ballasted Compact Fluorescent Lamp The electronic ballast is built into the lamp housing. The ballast consists of parts that are essentially similar, but not identical, to those used throughout the electronics industry for other common consumer articles. Plastic Material The plastic housing is typically made of PBT (Polybutylene-terephthalate) or PET (Polyethylene- terephthalate) fire retarded plastic with a bromine-containing polymer and antimony oxide. The plastic housing is glass fiber filled. This product consists primarily of high molecular weight polymers that are not hazardous.