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Some electric discharge lamps pose disposal challenges primarily because they contain small amounts of mercury. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful to both human health and the environment if not handled properly. When these lamps are broken or improperly disposed of, mercury can leak and contaminate soil and water sources. This is why specific regulations and guidelines exist for the safe disposal and recycling of these lamps to prevent mercury pollution.

In contrast, while lead is indeed a hazardous material, it is not a common component found in most electric discharge lamps, which makes it less relevant to the disposal challenge in this context. Non-recyclable materials can present disposal issues, but they are not a defining characteristic that specifically applies to electric discharge lamps. Additionally, the inability to discard certain items in landfills is related to regulations surrounding hazardous waste, which encompasses more than just the issue of mercury present in these lamps. Therefore, the focus on mercury highlights the specific environmental concern tied to the safe disposal of electric discharge lamps.