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 fluorescent tubes and mercury vapor lamps.
Fluorescent lamps contain small quantities of mercury, cadmium and antimony.
The National Electrical Manufactures Association has estimated that over 600 million fluorescent lamps are disposed of in the United States each year. Through improper disposal methods, mercury can travel from the soil to various water sources. Some U.S. lakes have been found to be polluted with mercury, rendering fish taken from these water unsafe to eat. 22 states have limited or banned consumption of fish from some lakes and streams. As mercury moves up the food chain, from smaller aquatic plants and fishes, to larger fish, to humans, it becomes more concentrated.