Are LEDs a suitable alternative to Mercury Lamps in Process photometers ?

How will the EU decision to ban mercury lamps affect process photometers and the industries that have relied on them for many years? In a significant move towards sustainability and public health, the European Union has decided to ban mercury lamps by 2025. This decision is driven by the need to reduce environmental pollution and protect public health from the toxic effects of mercury.

Pharmaceutical companies worldwide have become reliant on mercury lamp based photometry for applications a varied as 

• Chromatographic  
  • Separation
  • ​Protein measurement
  • Solvent concentration
  • Product detection
• Trace water content
• Centrifuge control
• Phase separation 

And many more 

So where does that leave laboratories and facilities that heavily rely on the use of filament lamps, commonly made with mercury, for their production, processes and equipment?  

LED lamps are the answer. They are widely available and far more eco-friendly. But what are the differences? Here is your guide to Mercury Filament Lamps and LEDs to help you prepare for the regulation change. 

1. Efficiency
Traditional mercury lamps are generally less energy-efficient. They require a significant amount of power to operate and can produce a lot of heat. They also have a warm-up period before they reach full brightness, which can delay the start of analysis. They can also degrade over time, affecting the consistency and accuracy of measurements.

LED lamps are much more energy-efficient, consuming less power for the same amount of light output. They reach full brightness instantly and can remain at a consistent level of brightness leading to more accurate readings. 

2. Longevity
The lifespan of mercury lamps is relatively short. They typically need to be replaced more frequently, leading to higher maintenance costs and downtime for the equipment, like analysers, that they may reside in. LEDs have a much longer lifespan, often lasting tens of thousands of hours. Fewer replacements mean less intervention and keeping your laboratories within budget. 

3. Safety and Environmental Impact
Mercury lamps contain mercury, a toxic metal substance that poses environmental and health risks if not handled and disposed of properly. Breakage can release mercury vapour, which is also hazardous. LEDs do not contain mercury or other harmful substances, making them safer for both users and the environment. They are easier to dispose of in the rarer instances where you have to replace them. 

4. Quality
This is the all-important factor.  The light spectrum from mercury lamps can be limited and may not be ideal for all types of analysis. They often produce ultraviolet light, which can be useful but also limiting depending on the application. LEDs can be designed to emit specific wavelengths and have a more controlled and customisable light spectrum, making them suitable for a broader range of analytical applications.
We understand that many of you will still be using mercury lamps, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, and changing them can be difficult due to validation costs and constraints. However, with the legislation change on the horizon, we can help you with the transition. 

Our partners, Kemtrak, have never used mercury in their products and can help your operations go green. Their range of high-performance industrial process photometric, fluorescence and turbidity instruments can be used in a wide variety of applications.  

Besides the upcoming ban there are good reasons to change from mercury lamp based photometers to LED’s as they offer a multitude of benefits.

• Long life
• Stability
• No drift
• Cold light
• Reliability
• Low maintenance
• Accurate wavelengths.

The engineering team at here Fullbrook Systems can discuss your specific needs and ease the transition between LED and Mercury lamps. Reach out today.