Background
Fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury in order to operate, generally fail the Toxic Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established TCLP in 1990 to measure substances that might dissolve into the ecosystem, including mercury. The EPA in July 1994 indicated that spent fluorescent lamps must be treated as hazardous waste if they failed the TCLP test. Spent lamps must be taken either to recycling facilities or disposed of at a hazardous waste site. Waste characterization utilizing TCLP is the responsibility of end users, and disposal regulations may differ from state-to-state.

For the past 15 years, there has been industry-wide agreement on the importance of mercury reduction and some significant progress has been made. As you can see by the statistics (see graph) provided by The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the industry average for mercury in a standard 4-foot, 40-watt T-12 lamp has been reduced from 48.2 milligrams in 1985 to 22.8 milligrams in 1994.

As impressive as the reduction has been, lamps with 22.8 milligrams of mercury still do not pass the TCLP test. Barriers exist for further improvements toward mercury reduction. Philips Lighting has pioneered key achievements in further progress of mercury reduction.

Philips Breakthrough
The first step in reducing the critical level of mercury is to have greater control over the precise amount injected into the lamp. To implement a more precise mercury dose, Philips invented an off-line mercury capsule injection system to deliver a metered amount of mercury into each lamp.

Next, the capsules are mounted in the lamp and are only activated when the lamp proves to be hermetically sealed. This method is an integrated part of the process to standardize the quantities of mercury in each lamp. Once we were able to pinpoint the fate of mercury throughout the lamp life and standardize the dosing, we experimented with decreased mercury levels. After four years of research and testing, Philips has imple-mented an exclusive new technology that employs buffers which reduce mercury loss mechanisms. This allows us to offer ALTO " Lamp Technology.

Testing
ALTO Lamp Technology employs a new capsule injection dosing system to deliver significantly less mercury. Philips ALTO lamps provide a reduc-tion in mercury content of more than 798 when compared to standard fluorescent lamps with no loss in performance.** This mercury reduction is a dramatic improvement in comparison with the industry average for mercury content in a 40-watt T-12 fluorescent lamp of 22.8 mg.

After years of testing lamps, many operating to the end of their lives, we concluded that the entire population of ALTO lamps meet the statistical requirements outlined by the Federal Government. In other words, ALTO fluorescent lamps meet the EPA's TCLP requirements.

Interpretation
While most states adopt the TCLP standard, there are some states that have more stringent regulations. In those states, ALTO fluorescent lamps may not pass but would still contribute significantly to source reduction.