Florida's Definitions
for Mercury-Containing Lamps &
Devices |
Mercury-Containing Lamps (MCLs) Including
Fluorescent Lamps: MCLs include primarily
fluorescent lamps of all types, high intensity discharge
(HID) lamps (e.g., metal halide, mercury vapor and high
pressure sodium), and some neon
lights. All of these lamps contain mercury in
varying quantities. MCLs from households and other
residential sources are not included in the following
definition under Florida law and thus are exempt from
Florida’s regulations covering MCLs.
Photo: Fluorescent lamps
come in a variety of shapes and sizes Shown here
(from left/top to right/bottom) are U-tubes,
straight and 2 sizes of compact fluorescent lamps.
Fluorescent lamps may also be circular in
shape. |
 |
Under Florida’s
law for MCLs and MCDs, Section 403.7186,
F.S.,
"Environmentally sound management of mercury-containing
devices and lamps," MCLs are defined as "any type
of high or low pressure lighting device which contains
mercury and generates light through the discharge of
electricity either directly or through a fluorescing
coating. The term lamp includes, but is not limited to,
fluorescent lamps, mercury lamps, metal halide lamps,
and high pressure sodium lamps. The term excludes
mercury-containing lamps used in residential
applications and disposed of as part of ordinary
household waste."
 |
Photo: High intensity
discharge (HID) lamps: (from left) metal halide
lamp; arc tube from mercury vapor lamp (outer
glass globe removed); mercury vapor
lamp. |
Mercury-Containing Devices
(MCDs): MCDs include mercury-containing thermometers,
thermostats, switches and relays, manometers, other
devices that contain liquid mercury, and
mercury-containing ampoules that have been removed from
these devices or from MCLs in accordance with the the US
EPA’s Universal Waste Rule (UWR) thermostat ampoule
removal standards (40 CFR 273.13 or 273.33). MCDs do
not include batteries or lamps.
Photo: Thermostat
showing 4 ampoules each containing about 1.5 grams
(a drop about the size of a pencil erasure) of
mercury. |
 |
Under Section
403.7186, F.S., "Environmentally sound management of
mercury-containing devices and lamps," MCDs are defined
as "any electrical product, or other device, excluding
batteries and lamps, that is determined by the
department as proven to release mercury into the
environment.
(1) |
(2) |
Photos: Boat bilge pump
float switch - (1) side view, and (2) top view
with some of the plastic switch housing removed to
show the glass switch ampoule containing about 1
gram (a drop about the size of a pencil eraser) of
mercury. | |