We are going to be forced to buy energy efficient bulbs

Question

Does the public know how much the cost of cleaning it up,when one breaks I under stand you have to a haz mat company because of the Mercury. Plus I understand you have to bring dead bulbs to a special place is this true

Answer 1

i never bring my eco friendly light bulbs anywhere once they're dead.

and who would break a light bulb on purpose?

like foreal, how often are light bulbs breakin' at your house,

cause it doesn't happen very often at mine.

plus buying them is worth it, it's better for the planet, and it's one of the many things you can do to help save us from ruining the one and only planet earth!

Answer 2

It's not all that bad, just be sure to follow the guidelines.  Still, I don't see how having a house full of light bulbs that contain a dangerous metal is good for the environment, and then the driving all over the place to find a recycling center for them.  "Oh, we don't take *those* bulbs."

They do save me money, but perhaps L.E.D. lighting is the way to go.

Answer 3

You won't be forced to buy them no matter what those who are ignorant of what happens to CFLs in enclosed fittings (i.e. they don't last) and dimmer circuits would like.  A ban on incandescent heaters would just cause too many problems to actually happen.

Though the threat from the mercury in CFLs is very much overstated and easy to avoid (by not breaking the d**n things), they also contain a lot less mercury than fluorescent tubes that no one seems to have a problem with.

Answer 4

First the amount of mercury in the CFL's is minimal. We have had mercury in Flourescent tubes for decades and no one cried about that. They have always been hazardous waste, but that doesn't mean a hazmat team will need to be dispatched to your house if you break one. They have a fraction of the mercury found in a thermometer, and millions of them were broken in homes for decades with no real affect.

Why not use a bulb that takes 1/4 the energy and can last up to 10 times longer. You will not be forced to use CFL's there are other options, LED, and halogen will both still be available.

Many cities are working on proper disposal of the bulbs, something that has been in limited availability for the tubes. My city currently will come to your home to pick up flourescent tubes, bulbs and batteries. We now have drop off tubes for AAA-D batteries at many stores and community buildings, and are working on a similar plan for the CFL's.  

Answer 5

With all the concern for mercury in those lamps. Why isn't there any concern for the mercury inside the fillings of your teeth? There is probably more mercury in that, than there is in a lamp.

Answer 6

Where you from Tony ?

Answer 7

no-one is going to force you to buy anything.

there will not be any old style incandescent bulbs for sale.

it would be very good to recycle them properly, to recover the minute amount of mercury inside.

Answer 8

You do not need a hazmat team and there is little to no cost to cleanup - just a wet towel (which is how I clean up regular broken bulbs too so 0 added cost). Just follow the EPA guidelines.

Yes, CFLs should be properly disposed of. Many stores like IKEA and Ace True Value where you buy the bulbs have return programs so you don't have to make special trips. You can also take them to your local Household Hazardous Waste program for no cost (except transportation). There are mail in programs but these do cost.

Answer 9

If a CFL breaks you just need to follow the EPA cleanup guidelines and clean it up yourself.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index....

Once a bulb is spent, the EPA also has a website to help you find where to recycle it.

http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling/