Do most environmentalists know that compact fluorescent light bulbs have MERCURY in them?

Question

It's a trace amount, I know, but it's mercury vapor for god's sake. When children break CFR's (and that's what children do: they break light bulbs, among other things), they'll be breathing in mercury vapors. Not to mention that mercury will end up in the environment when it hits the dump. (And yes, the vast majority of people are going to dump them in the trash instead of recycling them). How do environmentalists deal with this apparent hypocrisy?

Answer 1

It's been shown that the reduction of mercury in the environment from burning coal, which none of us can avoid,  is greater than the mercury in cfl's, which can be avoided through proper handling.  Mercury has been in fluorescent light bulbs forever.  Soon we will get LED's which are more efficient than fluorescent.  Maybe you should consider what else don't you know before you cast stones.

Answer 2

I don't think a lot of people are aware of this, but I do think it is up to those who are aware to be informative.

I only found out that cfl bulbs have mercury in them after reading an article in the Spring 2008 edition of the Publix FamilyStyle (free at the front  of the store). I was a little miffed at this myself, as it does sound hypocritical, so I did as the article said and went to epa.gov/bulbrecycling to find out my recycling options. Good resources here! One of the things it said is:

"If your state or local environmental regulatory agency offers no other disposal options except your household garbage, place the fluorescent light bulb in two plastic bags and seal it before putting it into the outside trash..., for the next normal trash collection."

Hopefully people still have baggies!? Still researching to see how effective this method might be....

There are other links on this page that allow you to choose your state and helps you locate listings for "Mercury-Containing Light Bulb (Lamp) Collection and Recycling Programs Where You Live".

Maybe not really an answer to your question, but hopefully good information.

Answer 3

It is a worry, but there is a safe way to clean up a broken bulb. I found the instructions on the net. As for kids breaking them, don't use them in places they can easily reach.

I can't speak for the "vast majority" but I will certainly not allow any of mine that burn out or break to go to the dump.

All in all I think the benefits out weigh the costs.

Answer 4

I think you have to look at the lesser of two evils. How much energy are you using to power the conventional lamp vs the CFL?

What type of power plant provides your electricity? Coal Fired, Hydro, Gas, Thermal, Wind, Solar or Nuclear?

The name of the game here is reduction. A reduction of carbon, reduction of cost and a reduction of pollution.

We have to take small steps before we can run.

Answer 5

most of the people dont know that bulbs have mercury in them.it is recommended to take care while dealing with cfls. bulbs should not be thrown in trash. while in delhi, i had noticed recycle bins around and in IIT campus and other areas. i always recycle anything.

Answer 6

Yes, they have a tiny amount of mercury in them, about the size of a pencil dot.  Now I suppose you Olympian geniuses know that they are no different from the flourescent tube lights that we have used for more than 50 years in every office, school, and shopping Mall right?  It's just these smaller ones that are "bad" because they benefit the environment and the economy, right?

Answer 7

I hope some more rational minds prevail prior to it becoming law in 2012 because I have no intention of using these mercury laden hazards unless I am forced to.

If they don't change course I can see a lot of lawsuits in the future for the manufacturers of these bulbs, just look at all the stink over mercury in vaccines, and they have a beneficial health effect.

Answer 8

They don't, it's all about subsidies.

Punch Al Gore if you see 'im.

Answer 9

What hypocrisy? They reduce overall mercury pollution as they require less power from a primarily coal fired power grid which spews mercury into the air.

They also have far less mercury per bulb than the long fluorescent tubes that are everywhere.

Not to mention, they provide an option for proper disposal as the mercury is sealed in the bulb, rather than dumped into the air by smokestacks.

let me ask you this. If you had to keep 100 bees in your apartment, would you rather I just open a window and toss them in, or would you prefer they be contained in a box or jar, and that I would gladly take them back from you?

Mercury is like bees, it can really sting you if you let it out, and your apartment is like the environment, it's where you live. So as long as you don't just dump the bees out everywhere, everything will be fine. :)

Answer 10

By the same logic, you should avoid drinking water because trace amounts of pharmaceuticals have been found in the water supplies of most cities tested. And the air! Heavens, think of all the pollutants floating around there. We will have to stop breathing.

Answer 11

Saw a news program about this a couple weeks ago.  They interviewed a woman who had broken one, called a company to clean it up because of the mercury, and it cost her $2000 !!

You definitely need to keep these out of children's reach, and make sure to recycle them or dispose of them properly.

Even so, CFL's are still better than using other light bulbs.  Hopefully someone is working on a bulb that is as effecient, but doesn't use mercury.