Which type of lamps may contain toxic mercury?

Fluorescent lamps are known to contain toxic mercury. This is due to the way these lamps are constructed; they contain a small amount of mercury vapor that, when ionized, produces ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light then interacts with a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp, producing visible light.

Mercury is a hazardous substance that can be harmful to both human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. Because of the presence of mercury, fluorescent lamps are subject to specific regulations and guidelines pertaining to their disposal to minimize environmental impact.

In contrast, halogen lamps, LED lamps, and incandescent lamps do not contain mercury. Halogen lamps are a type of incandescent lamp that uses halogen gas to increase their efficiency, while LED lamps operate by passing an electric current through a semiconductor. Incandescent lamps produce light by heating a filament and do not use any hazardous materials like mercury.