SDS

Compact Fluorescent Lamps-LMIS 1
701 Millennium Blvd.
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 678
-
1000
Lamp Material Information Sheet
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) for chemicals are not applicable to manufactured articles such as lamps. No
material contained in a lamp is released during normal use and operation.
The following information is provided as a service to our customers. The following Lamp Material
Information Sheet contains applicable Material Safety Data Sheet information.
Lamp Materials and Hazardous Ingredients
Glass & Metal
The glass tube used in a standard compact fluorescent lamp is manufactured from soda-lime glass and is
essentially similar but not identical to that used throughout the glass industry for bottles and other common
consumer items. The lamp bases are generally nickel-plated brass. The coils in the lamps (called filaments
or cathodes) are made of tungsten. An emission material covers the tungsten coil. The emission material
consists of triple oxide (BaO, CaO, SrO) + ZrO2 in a quantity of 4-12 mg/lamp depending on type. Some
4-pin Compact fluorescent lamps contain 2-3 mg of titanium-hydride. None of these materials would
present a hazard in the event of breakage of the lamp, aside from the obvious ones due to broken glass.
Phosphor
The phosphor system (SP/SPX) uses a mixture of rare earth elements such as lanthanum and yttrium as
either an oxide or as a phosphate, along with a barium/aluminum oxide. The phosphor components may
vary slightly depending on the color of the lamp (SPX30, SPX35, etc.). Compact fluorescent lamps
typically have a maximum of 1.5 grams of phosphor. Total phosphor weight will vary by lamp size and
type.
Mercury
Mercury is present in small amounts in all fluorescent lamps. The amount of mercury present (typically 5
mg or less) in any given compact fluorescent lamp will vary depending on the lamp type. The amount is
lower than that from several years ago, and GE is currently working to further lower the amounts of
mercury used in its fluorescent lamp products.
Electronic Ballast for Self-Ballasted Compact Fluorescent Lamp
The electronic ballast is built into the lamp housing. The ballast consists of parts that are essentially
similar, but not identical, to those used throughout the electronics industry for other common consumer
articles.
Plastic Material
The plastic housing is typically made of PBT (Polybutylene-terephthalate) or PET (Polyethylene-
terephthalate) fire retarded plastic with a bromine-containing polymer and antimony oxide. The plastic
housing is glass fiber filled. This product consists primarily of high molecular weight polymers that are not
hazardous.
Health Concerns
Phosphor
Except for small changes, it is essentially the same phosphor that has been in use in our lamps for over
twenty years. The Industrial Hygiene Foundation of the Mellon Institute found no significant adverse