CFLs & Mercury Contamination

  Promotion of CFLs for Energy Conservation

 Bachat Lamp Yojana (BLY) is a scheme developed by BEE to promote energy efficient lighting in India. As CFLs consume only 20% to 25% of energy used by Incandescent Lamps ( ICL) to provide same light, use of CFLs is being promoted. Under the BLY scheme, quality long life CFLs would be, distributed through collaboration with DICOMS, to grid-connected residential house-holds in exchange of ICL for Rs 15. Once CFLs have reached their end of life or CFLs failed prematurely, the scheme implementing agencies are required to arrange for their collection, and safe disposal of CFLs as per applicable environmental norms.

The BLY scheme was officially launched by Govt.of India in February 2009, after lapse of 7 years since Energy Conservation Act, 2001 has come into force from I st March 2002 The AP Government has now introduced BLY scheme in the State

CFLs, Mercury &Toxicity

CFLs use mercury as a vital component for their functioning, which if not properly disposed after use, has potential for causing damage to public health. The Mercury is a neurotoxin and highly toxic heavy metal known to impact vital organs such as lever and cause developmental and neurological problems; particularly dangerous to pregnant women and children. Some of their compounds are capable of crossing the placental barrier causing irreparable damage to the unborn / newborn babies.

Mercury Content of CFLs

.A study by Toxics Link titled "Toxics In That Glow: Mercury in CFLs in India" reveals the potential threat associated with these lamps. The study, which analyzed 22 samples of CFLs of well-known brands sold in India for their mercury content, exposes somewhat disturbing trend in mercury dosing practice by CFL manufacturers.

As per the report, average mercury content per CFL has been found to be 21.21mg, much higher than internationally known standards,-ranging 4 to 6 times the CFL sold in developed countries. About 50% of samples analyzed were found to have high average mercury content ranging between 12.24mg & 39.64mg across different wattages. In some cases, the mercury content per watt has been found to be as high as 4.39mg.

CFLs Mercury Contamination 

Currently, in the absence of proper management system or infrastructure in place to manage the used-up and/ or discarded CFLs in the country, they are usually dumped with general waste/garbage, spreading out mercury into the waste stream and the food chain through these energy saving lamps. Higher level of mercury dosing in CFLs enhances the chances of mercury contamination and toxicity of the Food-Chain.

Dubious Role of Indian CFL Industry

The disturbing trend is in most brands, mercury content is high in lower watt lamps, possibly to capture greater market share as mercury increases lumen (light) output. It is also worrying, that most multinational brands, having operations across the globe follow different regulatory norms in different countries including India, rather a dubious stand.

Health & environmental concerns have prompted globally, to take measures in order to contain mercury dosing. In the US, lighting manufacturer members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association ( NEMA) have voluntarily capped the amount of mercury used in CFLs in 2007 and lowered the cap again in 2010. Currently the US cap is 4mg / CFL for units up to 25 watts and 5mg/CFL for units over 25 watts. In EU, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances ( ROHS) law mandates the cap to 5mg/CFL.

Procrastination of Govt of India

The Indian CFL industry is exploiting the new market opened up by the climate change crisis; however they are creating a toxic crisis alongside. The industry, instead of following the best practices in the world, is putting the Indian consumer at risk through high level of mercury content of CFLs, in the absence of enforceable norms.

What adds to the grim reality is the fact that despite the potential dangers and serious health afflictions, the country lacks regulatory framework to standardize and limit mercury dosing. This is despite the fact of having large base with potential to manufacture 400-500 million pieces annually. India also imports about 1/3^rd CFLs.

 The Government of India seems to be procrastinating on mandating optimum mercury content in CFL and norms for Environmentally Safe Mercury Management of CFLs recommended in 2008 by Technical Committee and Task Force appointed by MOEF. Business interests may be bypassing serious public health concerns.

Conclusion

 Multi-pronged action is suggested for consideration and expeditious follow up, so as to contain the mercury menace through CFLs:

a) BIS Norms for optimum mercury content in CFLs, inline with international norms and the advanced technologies available. The standard should be made mandatory with effective monitoring / implementing strategy of incentives/disincentives for compliance.

b) Consistent Practice: Since most multinational players in the organized sector have the means to move towards safer regimes, they must immediately standardize their production process in India, as followed by them in other parts of developed world or to conform to BIS norms, which ever is better?

c) Imports: The registration of CFL Importers to be made mandatory, with strict vigil and monitoring the compliance of the imported product as per BIS norms. The Import,/smuggling, distribution and sale of substandard and spurious CFLs should be treated as a criminal offence and dealt with accordingly under relevant Acts & Rules.    

d). Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), is environment protection strategy, that makes the producer responsible for the entire life-cycle of the product, especially for take back, recycle and safe disposal of the product. Thus, producer's responsibility is extended to the post-consumer stage of the product-cycle. Hence, the onus of operationalization of used CFLs recycling mechanism rests with Manufacturer/Importer.,

This needs to be included in suitable legislative frame work, making EPR a mandatory activity associated with production of electrical & electronic equipment, in accordance with universally accepted "Precautionary Approach" and "Polluter Pays" Principles..

e) Environmentally Safe Mercury Management in CFLs &FLs: Expeditious decisions and follow up action on the recommendations submitted as far back as Feb & May 2008 by the Technical Committee and the Task Force appointed by MOEF for the purpose.

f) BLY Scheme: The CFL brands with the lowest mercury content or as per BIS norms only, should be selected for distribution under BLY Scheme. The Scheme Implementing Agencies should be denied CDM benefits, if they do not follow EPR norms.

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