What steps are being taken by manufacturers to reduce the risk of mercury exposure?
While there are not currently any known replacements for mercury, new fluorescent light bulbs are now being manufactured so that they contain up to 80% less mercury than standard fluorescent bulbs (Click here for more information from Philips.com). The mercury in fluorescent bulbs cannot be totally eliminated, but can be greatly reduced. Consumers are still urged to recycle all fluorescent light bulbs regardless of the amount of mercury they possess. New types of fluorescent lamps known as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are now on the market. These lamps are meant to provide light that is similar to that of incandescents, but with a higher energy efficiency.
