Clean Lighting Coalition
A global coalition to eliminate toxic lighting through the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Convention on Mercury agrees to phase out CFLs
In a major win for environmental and human health, 137 Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury agreed at COP 4 to phase-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025. By accelerating the transition to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and non-toxic, the move will avoid 26.2 metric tonnes of mercury pollution and 261.5 million metric tons CO2 emissions from 2025-2050, and save people $77.8 billion in lower energy bills.
With the proposed amendment to the Minamata Convention and implementation of national-level regulations to phase-out fluorescent lighting by 2025, countries can accelerate the transition to LED lighting technology to benefit people and the planet.Professor Shuji Nakamura, Nobel Prize for Physics (2014), Inventor of Blue Light LED
REPORT: Mercury in Fluorescent Lighting: Unnecessary Health Risks & Actionable Solutions
All fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause harmful and long-term health effects. This report outlines the health risks and environmental impacts of fluorescent lighting highlights the many compelling advantages of transitioning to mercury-free alternatives, and gives actionable solutions to phase out mercury-added lamps in the United States.
Benefits of mercury-free lighting
Recent developments and innovations in mercury-free LED technology have completely changed the global lighting market. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) used to be the most efficient and cost-effective option for lighting homes and offices, so allowing mercury in lamps actually saved power compared to less-efficient light sources that didn’t contain mercury. Now, the transition to LEDs is easy and provides a range of benefits to people and the planet.
Build Healthier Communities
Exposure to mercury through a broken bulb can have toxic effects on human health, it is especially dangerous to developing children and fetuses.
Reduce Global Power Demand
Transitioning to LED lighting worldwide would reduce global power demand by 3%.
Lower Energy Spending
LEDs use half as much energy and have 2-3 times the lifespan compared to CFLs.
Provide Higher Quality Lighting
One of the biggest advantages of mercury-free LED lighting is the opportunity for higher quality lighting compared to the mercury-based bulbs.
