Certain types of energy-saving light bulbs can be dangerous if not handled and used properly. In particular, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs pose a potential health danger. The dangers that are known about these bulbs relate to the mercury content found inside the bulbs.
Energy-saving lightbulbs, also called compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), were designed to replace all your incandescent bulbs in an environmental effort to reduce our energy usage and our carbon gas emissions. The CFLs give off the same amount of light as the incandescent ones, using less power and having a significantly longer lifespan. Your average incandescent bulb lasts between 750-1,000 hours, while the CFL can last anywhere between 6,000 and 15,000 hours. Despite the fact that CFLs cost a lot more than regular bulbs, they represent a 12% reduction in your electricity bills, every month for about five years. Pretty great aren’t they?
Unfortunately it turns out they are not so perfect after all. For these fluorescent lights to work, they require mercury. As electrical currents pass through the mercury vapour it gives off UV energy which in turn gets absorbed by the bulb’s inner phosphor coating, which then broadcasts visible light.
Health Issues
Depending on the size of the CFLs, they contain approximately 5mg of mercury. It is safely contained within the bulbs, but should it somehow break, the vapours can end up in your carpets, your furniture, your clothing, and ultimately in your skin and lungs. Mercury poisoning can affect your brain, your spinal chord, your kidneys and your liver.
If a CFL breaks, make sure to air out the room by opening all the windows. Before using a vacuum, be sure to use duct tape to pick up all the shards and pieces off the floor. If you use the vacuum first you risk releasing mercury into the air. Throw out any clothing or rugs that came in direct contact with the broken bulb, double bag the whole kit and caboodle and place it outside.
Environmental Issues
Similar to batteries, CFLs should be disposed of at your local toxic waste depot. Again, if the glass cracks or shatters the mercury will escape, seeping into the soil and the ground water. Be sure to get in touch with your city’s waste management office to check if they practice safe recycling and disposal of products containing mercury.
Greener Alternatives
The most cost effective, longest lasting, environmentally friendly lighting systems right now are light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The cost is significantly higher for these lights, but they last 25,000 – 100,000 hours, and most importantly contain no mercury.
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