(AP) - You know those compact fluorescent light bulbs that everyone is encouraging us to buy because the save energy and money? They have a downside when it comes to thinking green. It turns out the CFL s release a mercury-containing powder if they break. And the mercury-tinged powder can evaporate into the air and is tough to clean up. The government has written guidelines on how to clean up a broken bulb and the mercury it contains. There is also a site that provides information on the various state guidelines to clean up after a CFL breaks.
On the Net:
EPA guidelines on CFL site:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/statespf.htm
EPA list of state laws on CFL disposal site:
Most lamps in my house are outfitted with CFLs. But frankly, if each lasts only 4 years (rather less than expected and observed lifetime), I’m using less mercury than the old fever thermometers of my youth, which usually did not last even that long.
LED lighting will be the next big thing.
The R30 floods get used in the basement, kitchen and a few other hard to reach areas where I want longer running bulbs. Not a big fan of the curly bulbs.
I went to the county hazardous waste site a couple weeks and and took some bulbs, batteries and paint from the neighbors with me. And I did it in my 4 cylinder car!
As an engineer, I'm all about efficiency.
Why is it that conservatives get a bum rap as environmentalists?
Look for a “2112” moment in the future concerning incandescents.
“What, can this strange device be?”
“When I turn it, it gives forth its light”
“Its got frosted glass, that illuminates”
“What can this thing be in my sight”
“See how it glows just like sunlight”
“And joyously shines out its waves”
“Colors shine bright like the heavens”
“Or beams that fall, and cover, and bathe”
2008 copyright EJG Productions
Somebody find a free way to dispose of them properly and I’ll do it. Only liberals think anything is free though.
What’s the deal if they break from say, a lamp getting knocked over? 3 boys and 4 dogs, I’m not too keen on them, I still use the regular bulbs.
Old thermostats have a large amount of mercury contained in the tilt-switch..if the glass capsule is broken it would release the equivalent of 1000+ CFL bulbs.
Old mercury sphygmomanometers used in many hospitals contain a large column of mercury.
There’s about enough mercury in a CFL to fit on the tip of a sharp pencil. It would take 100s to equal the amount found in a typical thermometer.
In protest, smash one on the Capital steps - and watch the entire city arrive for the cleanup. (Would that be a terrorist attack?)