MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) As per a study executed out by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the level of mercury content in Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) ranges from 3.5 mg to 6 mg per CFL. The Bureau of Indian Standards has finalized an amendment to IS: 15111 (Part 1): 2002 Indian Standard for Self Ballasted Lamps For General Lighting Services (Safety Requi- rements), in April 2014, in respect of maximum mercury content of rated wattage upto and including 26 Watts, as 5 mg per CFL.
(b) to (d) A Technical Committee, constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) under the Chairmanship of the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), had prepared a “Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Mercury Mana- gement in Fluorescent Lamp Sector”. These guidelines prescribe the best practices at various levels, such as at manufacturer’s level and include aspects rela- ting to mercury consumption, process technology, raw mercury distillation, on-site storage, treatment, recycling, disposal of mercury bearing wastes and mercury spill management. The best practices at consumer’s level include handling of used/broken lamps, consumer awareness pertaining to collection, transport, treatment and disposal of used fluorescent lamps.
MoEF & CC and CPCB have written to all the State Governments and Union Territories to encourage establishment of recycling units so that the fused CFLs and Fluorescent Tube Lights (FTLs) are properly collected and the mercury is recovered and recycled scientifically and safely.
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