How many years will flourescent bulbs be allowed?

Question

If the developed world switches to flourescent bulbs in a big way, and since these bulbs contain mercury, how long do you think it will take before they are banned because of health issues? Proponents like to state the small amount of mercury in every bulb, but do not tell the public the total volume of mercury released when millions of bulbs are broken during disposal. Forget the recycling c**p. People will just toss them in the trash.

Answer 1

I've wondered this myself.  I'm answering w/ I don't know - only because I want a reminder to come back later to check other answers.

great question -btw

Link provided by Devochka:

http://environmentaldefenseblogs.org/cli...

Answer 2

Incandescent bulbs contain Mercury as well, just not as much.

Answer 3

I study energy and lighting this semester and from what I've been thought the life span of one of those bulbs is 10,000 hours, significantly more than the regular incandescent bulb. The technology in the fluorescent bulbs is made to illuminate, when incandescent are mainly a heat source.  There fore the amount of energy that you save is about 70%.

There are several reasons why the lifespan of the florescent bulb might be shorter than stated, one of them is that they are not meant to be used with dimmers, but with the type of light that's controlled by simple switch. Also if you turn it on and off a lot, it might shorten its lifespan.

You are right that they contain a very small amount of mercury, but there are too many benefits to avoid buying them. I can guarantee to you that you will see a small change on your energy bill once you switch, i did. it does not pose any health risks, nor has any problems been reported.

Answer 4

Let me start off by saying we (my family and I) live 100% off of the grid and are completely self-sufficient with a 0% Carbon footprint. I believe this is the first step anyone can make “help the environment”. Once you convert your own life style to a greener more eco friendly route, you can start helping others.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, right now, are more " eco-wise" then anything else most consumers can get a hold of (ie. incandescent) and currently save over 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases.

But since my house is completely on solar / wind and we REALLY need to watch usage, every light is fitted with s***w type (typical 110v lamp socket style) LED bulbs. They emit the same luminosity (typically 45) but at only 1watt rather then a 45w compact or 10w CFL. However they usually cost twice as much as CFLs which is twice as much (or more) as compacts. Still LEDs would be the way to go by far.

As for the second part of your question...

Mercury IS the lesser of the evils, without getting toooo elaborate discussing specifics (ie. which burns ozone faster, other layer's besides ozone, disposing locations, methods, wind conditions, etc), one needs less mercury gas then most others, to obtain the same luminosity in a vacuum because of mercury's longer agitated spectral wavelength. Mercury's wavelength is more blue which is a longer more "luminous" or brighter light to say sodium, which is a more light orange or shorter less bright (red being the shortest) wavelength. so you'd need more sodium or other, in the tube or more electricity to the tube, to create the same luminosity as mercury.

so mercury wins out only because the sheer volume needed is less then the others.

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming!!!

Answer 5

I guess we'll find out. recently passed legislation makes it illegal to sell incandesent bulbs in the U.S. after 2012!

just by coincidence phillips electronics(the inventor of the curley cfc bulb) paid several hundred thousand dollars to lobbyiest's to get this legislation passed.