Shouldn't the manufacturers of flourescent s***w-in light bulbs put a clear coating in case of breakage?

Question

As a replacement for incandescent bulbs with a filament, I do see the logic in using less electricity/ replacing less often/ saving some money....

....but the steps required to clean up after breaking a flourescent bulb due to the mercury release seems a real ordeal- & who goes the full nine yards as mentioned in this article:

http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7446&Itemid=31

Answer 1

I pretty much agree with ablex...

but, i do not think it would hurt to put a plastic coating and it would noy be expensive at all.....

to add to what ablex said.....

The amount of mercury in those bulbs is more than offset by decreasing the amount of mercury emmissions from coal fired power plants by needin less power.

But then again, every little bit helps.  So lets coat them too!

Answer 2

Plastic will yellow when exposed to warm temperatures.  This causes these bulbs to be worthless even sooner.

It's bad enough that these bulbs become dim after just 3 or 4 months already.  I have incandescent bulbs that are 15 years old.

Answer 3

People should be more careful.    I hate how everything has to be made for the safety of the complete moron in mind.   My favorite hiking trail was recently closed because some fool decided it would be fun to slide down an embankment.    The trail is now deemed "unsafe"   because of his foolish actions.

Answer 4

She went threw 2 much trouble and spent too much money she could have cleaned this up her self with a mask that you get at a doctors office and a broom and dust pan. The vacuum would have just put it in the air but safe to use after words. She should have called a company that recycles Lamps. Yes it need to be contained after clean up but it is easy to do that it would have cost her 100 dollars in the end.

Answer 5

I think that has been blown way out of proportion.  The mercury in those bulbs is less than a standard fluorescent tube we have been using in our offices and garages for many years.

Check out:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl...