Number
115-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, electrical equipment
Function
Luminescent agent
Process
Other
Product category
other
Application
Lighting in Liquid Cristal Display(LCD) monitors
Abstract
Mercury is used in Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) backlights of notebook and flat panel displays (monitors). Light Emitting Diodes (LED) were introduced as a substitute to LCD backlights a few years ago. This technology avoids the use of mercury while using energy more efficiently than LCD. Dell has been adopting the use of mercury free LED in notebooks and flat panel displays since 2008. In 2012, Dell is committed to fully transition to LED technology for all newly designed notebooks and flat panel displays.
Substituted substances
Mercury
CAS No. 7439-97-6 EC No. 231-106-7 Index No. 080-001-00-0
Chemical group
Metals
Classification: hazard statements
H360D May damage the unborn child
H330 Fatal if inhaled
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Mercury monoxide
CAS No. 21908-53-2 EC No. 244-654-7 Index No.
Chemical group
Mercury compounds; metal oxides
Mercury sulfate
CAS No. 7783-35-9 EC No. 231-992-5 Index No.
Chemical group
Mercury compounds; sulfates
Mercury(II) sulfide
CAS No. 1344-48-5 EC No. 215-696-3 Index No.
Chemical group
Mercury compounds; sulphides
Mercury dichloride
CAS No. 7487-94-7 EC No. 231-299-8 Index No. 080-010-00-X
Chemical group
Mercury compounds; chlorides
Classification: hazard statements
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility
H300 Fatal if swallowed
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Mercury dinitrate
CAS No. 10045-94-0 EC No. 233-152-3 Index No.
Chemical group
Mercury compounds; nitrates
Mercury, chloro(cyclohexylmethyl)-
CAS No. 33631-63-9 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Organic mercury compounds
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
other toxic effects
ecotoxicity
physical hazards
Other type of alternative
A change of technology from Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) to Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: Especially mercury and mercury dichloride are very toxic substances: Mercury is: 1A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). This substance is fatal if inhaled, may damage the unborn child, causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, is very toxic to aquatic life and is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. Mercury dichloride is: 1A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). It is: fatal if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, suspected of causing genetic defects, suspected of damaging fertility causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects Alternative substances: The SUBSPORTplus team has not investigated if there are any hazardous chemicals associated with using LED instead of LCD technology.
Description of Substitution
Backlight is a form of illumination used in Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). LCDs do not produce light themselves, but they need a special light source to produce a visible image. On traditional LCD displays in notebooks and flat panel displays, the backlight source originates from Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs), illuminating the LCD from the back of the display panel to produce a visible image. One component in CCFLs is the use of mercury vapour to develop ultraviolet light, which in turn causes a fluorescent coating on the inside of the lamp to emit visible light. Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlight display is a new technology that has the potential to replace LCD/CCFL backlight displays. When power is introduced to a LED, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons/electroluminescence or the colour of the light. LEDs present many advantages over LCD/CCFL light sources including lower energy consumption, longer life, improved robustness, smaller size, and faster switching. Aside from energy savings, from an environmental impact perspective, LED does not require the use of mercury to operate. By transitioning to LED technology, mercury exposure and occupational hazards are eliminated.
Case/substitution evaluation
This case describes how the use of mercury in displays can be avoided by a shift of technology from LCD to LED. This shift does not only eliminate the need for mercury, but LED technology shows also other advantages such as energy saving, improved robustness and life span. The SUBSPORTplus team has not investigated if there are any hazardous chemicals associated with using LED instead of LCD technology.
Date and place of implementation
newly designed notebooks since 2010
Enterprise using the alternative
Availability of Alternative
On the market
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
Date, reviewed
December 11, 2020