Opinion on mercury in certain energy-saving light bulbs : exposure of children

Certain energy-saving light bulbs, namely compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), are widely available on the market and are offered for saving electricity and, eventually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions particularly from coal-fired power plants. They fulfil the requirements of Commission Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 on ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps (Ecodesign Regulation), in contrast to traditional incandescent light bulbs which will be phased out progressively in accordance with the Regulation. The Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) provided an opinion on mercury released from breaking CFLs (in May 2010, but could not conclude on the potential risk of children due to lack of data. SCHER is now asked for an opinion on the potential mercury exposure to children, and thus the risk.