[ElephantInTheRoom]

(Note: I already posted this in the Home and Garden section. Though it may be out of topic here; I am posting it again in Parkside to maximize getting the word out for the safety issue. In my opinion, I think these new CFLs are more trouble then they are worth. However, doesn't matter! We will be stuck with them in the future due to coming green energy legislation.)

Hi Folks,

As you all know. The old style incandescent lightbulb is becoming a thing of the past. In the wake of new and coming green energy legislation from Washington; incandescents will become non existent. Just one problem, the new CFLs are very toxic. They contain a small amount of mercury.

The new CFL lightbulbs are dangerous when broken. The cannot simply be thrown in the trash. Broken CFLs can also make you, your children, and pets very sick. I personally only know of one place they can be recycled. I saw a drop off box at Home Depot in Ridley, PA.

The following are links to web sites to provide more info:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=7431198

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

[Scott Sidlow]

It is true the Compact Fluorscent light bulbs, or CFL's contain mercury. The amonut in each bulb will fit on the tip of a pen. More mercury is realeased into the atmosphere by a coal fired electric power plant to operate a standard incandescent light bulb over its life then is in each CFL That being said, the mercury is still in your home and not the atmosphere so you do need to be careful. It has been my experience that light bulbs break once in a while but not that frequently. The time most likely for them to break is when you are changing the bulb, since CFL's last as long as 3 to 5 incandescent bulbs the opportunity to break them are less frequent. Breaking one bulb will not make you, your children or pets sick, a broken box of fluorscent tubes removed from your basement drop ceiling should be avoided.

There are instructions on how to clean up a broken cfl all over the web, the key is not to vaccum it up. The best way that I also know of to dispose of CFL is at Home Depot. If I am elected to council, the Borough will provide clear instructions to all residents on how to dispose any type of waste a household may create. CFL's will be at the top of the listl clean up instructions will also be provided.

Compact Fluorscent Bulbs use 75% less energy for the same levels of brightness as an incandescent bulb. The payback period on a CFL's slightly greater upfront cost pays back in less than six months in reduced energy. CFL's come in three colors of light, warm white, cool white and daylight.

The mercury is a con, but used properly there are a lot more pros.


Scott Sidlow
Home Performance Analyst
My Green Home Plan
by MaGrann Associates

Mr Cropper, please do not misconstrue this post as a political tit for tat. This is the professional advice I give when I am asked this question. It is good that you brought this to people's attention.

[ElephantInTheRoom]

Recycling info is already provided by the EPA on it's web site:

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wast ... /index.htm

GE provides the following info on it's packaging:

http://www.lamprecycle.org/

One more thing I would like to add. The World Health Organization has said the following about mercury exposure:

"Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. Even relatively low doses can have serious neurotoxic effects on adults and children."
http://www.euro.who.int/chemsafety/mercury/20071221_3

[ElephantInTheRoom]

Bump