Environmental Impacts of Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Linear Fluorescent Lamps in China

China is one of the largest fluorescent lamps consuming and producing countries in the world. However, there are few studies evaluating environmental impacts of fluorescent lamps in China. This study compared the environmental impacts of two lighting systems in China - compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent lamps - throughout the life cycle. The methodological framework is based on the ISO standards 14040 and 14044. All the materials, energy use and pollutant emissions to the environment from each process were analyzed. The environmental impact was estimated for the 7 environmental impact categories: Abiotic Depletion Potential, Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, Eutrophication Potential, Respiratory Inorganics, Waste Solids and Water Use. The results indicated that the environment burden of the products was highest in the use phase due to electricity use. Impact caused by distribution and disposal can be neglected. According to the analyzed environmental impact categories and from an environmental point of view the linear fluorescent lamp is more appropriate source of light than compact fluorescent lamps.