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EPA Recognizes Osram Sylvania for Mercury Reduction in Lamp Production

Release Date: 02/08/2006
Contact Information: Laura Niles, 404-562-8353, [email protected]

Contact: Laura Niles, 404-562-8353 / [email protected]

ATLANTA (February 7, 2006) The OSRAM SYLVANIA fluorescent lamp plant in Versailles, Ky., was recognized today by EPA for joining the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) and committing to significantly reduce elemental mercury in linear fluorescent lamps produced at the plant. OSRAM SYLVANIA has entered the NPEP by working to reduce mercury levels for their OCTRON 800 series lamps by 50 percent, along with reductions in their 700 series lamps. This OSRAM SYLVANIA initiative pledges to save more than 300 pounds of mercury annually during lamp production.

“EPA commends OSRAM SYLVANIA for their commitment to reducing the release of a priority chemical like mercury into the environment,” EPA Regional Administrator Jimmy Palmer said. “By joining this voluntary program, OSRAM SYLVANIA is demonstrating how innovation in production of their lamps can lead to increased public health protection and environmental improvement.”

The NPEP is a voluntary program in which private and public organizations work with EPA to reduce the use or release of 31 priority chemicals, including mercury, beyond regulatory requirements. Reducing the use or release of these chemicals will help to better protect human health and the environment, since chemicals like mercury may end up in fish and other aquatic life and transfer up the food chain to humans.

For more information about the NPEP, visit https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm.


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