Why fluorescent lamps must go

Lighting is one of the most critical needs in homes, buildings, and learning facilities. It allows us to extend our social and economic activities, and offers protection and security to individuals and families. However, lighting devices are not created equal.

Two of the most common are tubular fluorescents and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). These lamps contain mercury — a neurotoxic element that can cause harmful and long-term health effects to people and the environment. Mercury is released once the fluorescent waste is disposed of and gets broken.

In the 2008 Mercury Assessment report of the Environmental Management Bureau, the agency found that there were 588.5 million units of double-end fluorescent tubes and 147 million units of CFLs used in the country. That enormous number of mercury-containing lighting units in the Philippines translates to an estimated 23.5 tons of mercury being used and disposed of per year!

But how toxic is one fluorescent? A single CFL has enough mercury to contaminate 30,000 liters of water and to make the water unsafe for drinking. Mercury bioaccumulates and can enter the food chain and pass from one creature to another. Therefore, there is no “safe” level of mercury in the environment.

The Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury last week in Bali, Indonesia, was aimed at protecting the planet from the threats of mercury pollution. The African countries submitted to the convention a proposal to phase out the manufacture, import, and export of all fluorescent lighting by 2025. Fluorescent was one of the mercury-containing devices exempted for phaseout by the convention launched in 2013.

Significant advancements have happened in the lighting sector, especially in LED technologies, in recent years. An LED bulb having the same illuminance as CFL consumes less than half the electricity. LED has no mercury and has a longer industry lifetime than fluorescent. LED, more energy-efficient and affordable, is a safer alternative to fluorescent.

As a party to the Minamata Convention, the Philippine government should support the African Lighting Amendment. Tubular fluorescents and CFLs can still be bought in our local market. We should start phasing out these toxic and outdated lighting lamps.

The global Clean Lighting Coalition estimates that if the Philippines phases out the exportation and sale of fluorescent devices by 2025, it will result in a national energy saving of 70.16 terawatt-hours by 2050. This translates to $12.6 billion in financial savings for the country.

African countries have been the dumping ground for toxic post-consumed products and electronic waste from developed countries. Here in the Philippines, we have seen discarded fluorescent lamps on streets and dumpsites. They are often just thrown into the environment. Eliminating fluorescent lamps would mean one less toxic product sold in the market.

Our government representatives to the Minamata Convention should champion the health and welfare of the Filipino people, and support the African Lighting Amendment to make mercury history.

Danielle Lacsamana is the #EndToxicLighting coordinator of the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, a public interest group working on climate and sustainable energy programs.