The Dangers Of A Broken Mercury Vapor or Metal Halide Lamp

David Shiller August 30, 2024

August 30 | LightNOW

When the glass lamp envelope of a Mercury Vapor (MV) or Metal Halide (MH) lamp is broken, but continues to operate, the quartz arc tube inside emits significant levels of UV radiation that are a danger when there is direct exposure to eyes or skin. Normally, the glass lamp envelope filters the UV radiation and prevents significant emissions, however, if the glass lamp envelope is broken, and continues to operate, there have been cases of serious UV injuries. The aluminum oxide arc tube in a High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp filters out the UV emissions before it gets to the glass envelope, so broken HPS lamps don’t pose as much risk as broken MV or MH lamps.

More information from the CDC is available here.

Image: https://reefs.com/beware-of-the-broken-halide-bulbs/

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David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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