Low-Mercury Fluorescents Bulbs: ALTO by Philips
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 02. 8.07
Fluorescents bulbs are good energy efficient alternatives to incandescents, but they do require mercury in their manufacture, and this can be a problem if they are not disposed of properly. In response to this, Philips introduced a range of low-mercury fluorescents: ALTO bulbs. Philips claims the bulbs have the lowest amount of mercury of any bulb on the market at less than 3.8 mg per bulb, or about 70% less mercury than other bulbs. To achieve this, Philips uses a specially developed mercury capsule which ensures the exact amount of mercury is placed in a tiny glass capsule which is attached to the lamp cathode.
Philips claims that the bulbs last about twice as long as other fluorescents.
Alto bulbs are available from Black Energy.
See also: What About Mercury From Compact Fluorescents?
:: Philips Alto
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If these things work out, it's great news. Thanks for the tip!
Armand
Yeah that is good news. There's a bill being proposed in CA to make compact fluorescents mandatory
Since electricity production in California has about the lowest Mercury of anyplace in the World (about 10 pounds per year in the State), ANY bulb that needs Mercury to work will mean a net ADDITION of Mercury to the environment in California. To make CFL's manditory in California would be to mandate an increase in Mercury in the State. There are no CFL's available or in development needing any amount of Mercury to work that wouldn't add Mercury in California.
The numbers might be different for China or Australia or Pennsylvania which use a high percentage of coal in their power plants, but in California almost none is used.
if its has mercury, i dont want it,