I ended up having a discussion yesterday about Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs). If you have read any of my past posts, then you know I am a huge fan of CFLs. Since switching over, I haven’t had to replace a single bulb in my house. As that has been nearly a couple of years, and I had to change at least a bulb a week, I believe that the replacement costs alone have paid for these bulbs. I haven’t really monitored the electrical savings closely, but it has added to the overall energy savings program. Check out this great video for the basics in plain English.
During the discussion, a friend of mine brought up the mercury issue of CFLs. Yes, they do have amounts of mercury. But here are the facts:
There is no risk of the mercury being an issue as long as the bulbs stay intact.
The amount of mercury and heavy metals in the environment from CFLs is still smaller than the amount released through coal burning power plants to create the same amount of light with traditional bulbs.
Many retailers recycle CFLs. Ask at Ace, True Value, and Home Depot. Most have recycling programs in place, though you have to ask.
As always with any product, there are scare tactics when it comes to the possibility of replacing a conventional product. CFL bulbs have been reducing the amount of mercury in them for years, and most had little more that a small ab=mount as far back as early 2007. Just to make sure, take prec autions. Be careful when installing and disposing of them. Recycle them properly. If you break a bulb, get the pets and pregnant ladies away, use duct tape to pick up the remnants, put the trash in a plastic bag and use a mask while cleaning it up. Do not use a vacuum, as it will likely spread the mercury in the air. Then ventilate your home for a while (recommendations are a couple of hours).
There is a real environmental concern about the amount of mercury these bulbs will add to the environment, as millions of CFL bulbs are being sold every year. Especially since there isn’t a really easy way to get rid of them. Most curbsides in the country do not include CFLs as they are likely to break in transport. However, the reduction of mercury by coal burning power plants by reducing electrical needs of light bulbs is much higher. Furthermore, along with the mercury and other heavy metals released by coal burning power plants, the CO2 released is a huge contributor to greenhouse gasses. So if you are afraid of mercury in the environment, go ahead and replace your light bulbs with CFLs as you will be reducing the mercury problem, not adding to it!
Tags: compact fluorescents, Energy, environment
Great post. I hadn’t read too much lately about the CFL/Hg concern, especially from a quantitative perspective. Good to know that the amount of mercury per bulb is being reduced, *and* that several places recycle burned out bulbs. Thanks.
One other concern folks (should) have is how to clean up a broken bulb, which I’ve had to do twice. (I’m clumsy, okay?) Pretty simple and safe if you follow best practices, the knowledge of which is available to anyone who knows how to use Google.
Robert, I’d like to share with you:
http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2009/07/coming-soon-a-new-cfl-with-no-risk-of-mercury-contamination/
Tom Irvine, the CEO of ClearLite: New CFL Technology – where you don’t have to worry about breaking CFL bulbs:
Tom’s CFL bulbs (which are qualified by Energy Star) are completely unique, and there are several features that set them apart from the CFLs we’re using now.
The ClearLite bulbs are different in the following ways:
They use no liquid mercury. The bulb contains amalgam (which is an alloy of mercury) combined with other metals in solid form. If you have silver fillings in your mouth, then you know about amalgam.
The bulb is encased with a silicon composite. This means that when the glass is broken the silicone collapses as well, helping trap the glass and metals inside so they don’t escape into your home.
The amalgam is much easier to handle than liquid mercury because it comes in hard balls, like tiny BBs. This means it’s a safer alternative for the factory workers where the bulbs are produced.
The ClearLite bulbs are encased in a regular glass bulb, which makes them look more like traditional light bulbs.
Because these bulbs are encased in silicone the light seems more natural looking. The glass isn’t frosted like regular A-shaped CFL bulbs, which seems to be safer for factory workers.
Some of the ClearLite models in the future will be dimmable.
I am right there with you Robert. I replaced most of my bulbs with CFL at least 3 years ago; and, I have not had to replace them since then. One stopped working, but other than that I have not had any problems. I can’t wait until 2012 when everyone has to use CFL’s. I get all of these bulbs mixed up. I am happy there are places like Home Depot that will recycle them.