Low-energy light bulbs 'may offer disposal risk'

Producers of low-energy light bulbs need to do more to educate consumers on the possible health and environmental risks posed by the lighting source, a government body has warned.

According to the Environment Agency, the presence of a small amount of mercury in each bulb means that more information on safe recycling of spent bulbs is needed.

The body called on both retailers, local authorities and the government to increase their efforts to provide consumers with advice on the disposal of low-energy light bulbs, as well as how to deal with the bulbs in event of one smashing.

"More information does need to be made available by retailers, local authorities and the government to alert people to the best way of dealing with these products when they become waste," Adrian Harding of the Environment Agency told the BBC.

Last September the government announced plans to phase out the use of all traditional light bulbs by 2011, with Environment Secretary Hilary Benn estimating the change could save five million tones of carbon annually.

Under the proposals, powerful 150 watt bulbs are set to be removed from sale at the end of this month, with the phasing out of all high-energy bulbs over the next three years.