MSDS

Self-ballasted CFLs - Page 2 of 3
Mercury
Small quantities of mercury are present in any compact fluorescent lamp. The amount of mercury
used currently in any particular lamp will fluctuate depending on both the dimensions of the lamp
and the designed life of the lamp. Smaller, shorter life lamps generally have lower mercury
content.
Plastic Material
The plastic housing is typically made of PBT (Polybutylene–terephthalate) fire retarded plastic.
This product consists primarily of high molecular weight polymers that are not hazardous.
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SECTION 3: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Not Applicable to Intact lamp.
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SECTION 4: FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Not applicable. Under extreme high temperatures, the glass might crack
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SECTION 5: REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable
Incompatibility: None for intact lamp
Hazardous Polymerization: Not applicable
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SECTION 6: HEALTH HAZARDS
EXPOSURE TO INTACT LAMPS DOES NOT POSE ANY KNOWN HEALTH HAZARDS
Glass
Take normal care with broken glass.
Phosphor
As with most inorganic compounds, antimony, manganese, yttrium, and tin are characterized by
OSHA as hazardous chemicals. However, they have low toxicity, are insoluble, and are present in
very small amounts in the lamp; therefore these compounds are not a significant hazard in the
event that the lamp breaks.
Mercury
Neither the mercury nor the phosphor concentration in air produced as a result of breaking one or
a small number of compact fluorescent lamps should result in significant exposures to the
individual. If large numbers of lamps are broken, clean-up personnel should use appropriate
industrial hygiene monitoring and controls to minimize airborne or surface contamination levels.
Personal protective equipment may be needed. Lamp recycling when large quantity lamp
disposal is required. See: www.lamprecycle.org for a list of lamp recyclers.