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Contents contributed and discussions participated by Emily Locklear

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Emily Locklear

The Problems with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs - 0 views

www.thegreenlife.org/act-fluorescent-cfl-bulbs.html

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 05 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Mercury content Like all fluorescent lamps, CFLs contain a small amount of vaporized mercury. Mercury is poisonous even in small amounts. If a bulb is broken, then there is the risk being exposed to dangerous mercury vapors. Though the bulbs are meant to be recycled, many are almost certain to end up in landfills and dumps – polluting the grounds, air, and water with small amounts of the poisonous substance
  • CFL bulbs are often hailed as the green replacement of the older incandescent bulbs. CFLs use less energy and can have a lifespan of around ten times that of incandescents if not turned on and off repeatedly over short periods of time. These are all well and good, but there are some drawbacks to the CFLs that people should know about before making the switch
  • The Problems with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs
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  • The Problems with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs
Emily Locklear

Fluorescent Lights' Mercury Poses Dim Threat - 0 views

news.nationalgeographic.com/...070518-cfls-bulbs.html

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 05 Dec 11 - Cached
    • Emily Locklear
      Emily Locklear on 05 Dec 11
       
      energy saving but deadly
  • They're breakable, contain toxic material, and are becoming increasingly commonplace. But fears of mercury poisoning from new energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs are overplayed, experts say.
  • But CFLs' cool-burning illumination is made possible by a pinch of poison—about five milligrams of mercury sealed inside every glass tube—and the need for the element is unlikely to change anytime soon. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and long-lived environmental contaminant, and even the small amount present in CFLs poses a problem. When the bulbs break, either in the house or at a waste disposal site, their mercury content is released. According to a few vocal CFL opponents, such as Fox News Web site's "Junk Science" correspondent
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  • Steve
  • Milloy
  • makes
  • These critics have charged environmentalists with being uncharacteristically "pro-mercury" when it comes to the lights. The critics often cite the recent story of a resident of Ellsworth, Maine, who amassed a clean-up bill of more than 2,000 U.S. dollars by shattering a single CFL in her home. The story originally appeared in the Ellsworth American and quickly spread to other newspapers, such as Canada's National Post and the Washington Times.
  • But the enormous bill came about as a result of bad advice—a fact often omitted in follow-ups to the original article. "There's a lot of misleading information out there," said Joel Hogue, president of Elemental Services and Consulting, an Ohio-based company specializing in the cleanup of sites contaminated with mercury. "But when people learn the facts
  • dies down."
  • Like with many other household products, Hogue said, the use of CFLs requires some commonsense precautions. But if a bulb breaks, his company's clean-up services are not required.
  • There's an extremely small amount of mercury in those bulbs," Hogue said. "It's a very minimal risk" and can easily be cleaned up at home. One CFL contains a hundred times less mercury than is found in a single dental amalgam filling or old-style glass thermometer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • Long billed as a "green" product for environmentally conscious consumers, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are quickly becoming the norm in household lighting—and may soon replace traditional incandescent bulbs altogether.
Emily Locklear

Some Comfort About Broken CFLs - Science News - 0 views

www.sciencenews.org/...Some_comfort_about_broken_CFLs

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 05 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • one of those highly efficient CFLs I’d installed all over the house. She didn’t shatter the whole bulb, just a roughly 3-inch segment of the swirly glass, which (naturally) embedded in the fibers of her carpet. Having heard me warn endlessly of how we should be careful in handling these bulbs — since they contain mercury — she wanted to know what kind of damage control was called for. I only wish I knew then what I do now. It wouldn’t have changed how we cleaned up the mess, but we would have slept a bit better that night.
  • New data from Yadong Li and Li Jin of Jackson State University in Mississippi help put concerns about mercury from broken bulbs in perspective. They measured the mercury present in both new and used CFLs and recorded the continuous emissions from ones that they intentionally broke.
  • Keep in mind, Li notes, a CFL's elemental mercury is not in vapor form unless the lamp is on with a current running through it. Otherwise, the mercury resides along the inside of the glass. And it's from there that the mercury will slowly volatilize once exposed to air. So another lesson: Breaking a CFL while it's turned on can initially disperse a bigger puff of mercury vapor into the air than if its glass is damaged while the bulb is off, Li says
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  • A more disturbing finding was how long a broken CFL can continue to release toxic vapors: a minimum of 43 days (which is how long Li and Jin ran their tests with bulbs from three different manufacturers). The engineers computed how much of each bulb’s starting mercury had been lost during that time (which wasn’t easy, since starting values and release rates both varied broadly between bulbs). Their calculations indicate that each CFL still contained enough residual elemental mercury at the end of their testing to continue releasing the toxic substance into the air for at least 10 more days, and in one instance, for 85 more days
  • If not cleaned up, the bulb with the largest initial store of mercury could have spewed 1 milligram of the toxic metal into a room's air within 25 days; another could have reached that level within about 40 days. Li and Jin cited data by others indicating that the release of 1 milligram of mercury vapor into a 500 cubic meter room can yield air concentrations 10 times the current recommended limit for a child. Breaking a CFL can thus cause
  • develop, Li and Jin conclude.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency offers consumers guidance on how to deal with cleaning up a broken CFL. It also recommends something that we should have thought about: Don’t use these lights where they will be unprotected. Like the ceiling fixture in my daughter’s closet. What EPA failed to add: Consumers should ignore any pest that flies within swatting distance of a CFL
  • exceed the mercury-reduction goal set by the National Electric Manufacturers Association of 5 milligrams per CFL for lamps 25 watts or lower. In fact, most bulbs had less than 2.5 milligrams. — For the most popular, 13-watt CFLs, mercury concentrations varied dramatically between brands, from 0.17 to 3.6 milligrams
  • bigger pollution risk than is one near the end of its life. — Bulbs produced by the major manufacturers since 2008 meet
  • it into a solid that will not volatilize. Therefore, an unused bulb poses a significantly
  • used, rendering it less toxic. Explains Li, the mercury oxidizes, t
  • The mercury in a bulb undergoes chemical changes over time as
  • Other interesting factoids from their paper:
Emily Locklear

The Danger Lurking In Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs | Fox News - 0 views

www.foxnews.com/...ompact-fluorescent-light-bulbs

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 02 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • You see them in every grocery store and home center - those funny-looking curly compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) that are rapidly replacing the old round bulbs. And pretty
  • soon, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 kicks in, requiring bulbs to be 25 to
  • The energy efficiency of CFLs may be significant, but unlike traditional light bulbs, there is a
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  • cracke
  • So what does that mean if a CFL is cracked or breaks in our homes, releasing mercury vapors in an enclosed area?
  • miniscule amount – 4 to 5 milligrams – there is enough mercury in just one fluorescent light bulb to contaminate 6,000 gallons of water
  • broken or not disposed of properly. Although it sounds like a
  • problems. CFLs are marketed as “safe” and don’t pose any health risks as long as the glass remains intact. The
  • bulbs
  • danger comes if the bulbs
  • The EPA suggests the following:o People and pets should immediately leave the room. o Open a window and/or door and Air out the room for 5 to 10 minutes. o Turn off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system. o Thoroughly collect broken glass and visible powder using wet cloths. Never use vacuum cleaners or brooms.
  • Consumers – especially those with young children –need to know what to do when a CFL breaks and the proper way to dispose of used bulbs. It’s no longer as easy as changing a light bulb
  • If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html
  • All of this needs to be done to protect people from the tiny amount of mercury in one fluorescent light bulb. Which begs the question, are these lights really safe and are the risks worth it? Another equally important concern is what happens to the environment – the air, soil and water – when tons of discarded bulbs, along with the mercury, are dumped into local landfills?
  • The threat posed by billions of broken CFLs lying in landfills has resulted in some communities requiring their citizens to discard used and broken CFLs in designated recycling centers or in a hazardous-waste collection facility.
  • Given the known deleterious effects caused by mercury, it would seem logical to assume there will be some unintended consequences resulting from the switch to compact fluorescent lights. Only time will tell how significant those consequences will be.
  • If you are concerned about the possible health risks associated with CFLs, LED or halogen lights are good alternatives. Both cost a little more but are as efficient as CFLs and can be recycled easily. For more information about mercury and compact fluorescent light bulbs go tohttp://www.epa.gov/cfl/
  • with Cancer. Deirdre is the author of four books, including three national bestsellers.
  • Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for
  • Deirdre Imus is the Founder and President of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health CenterTM at
Emily Locklear

Broken Fluorescent Light Bulb & Dangers to the Skin | eHow.com - 0 views

www.ehow.com/n-light-bulb-dangers-skin.html

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 02 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • inhale a hazardous vapor, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • Mercury is not dangerous if it touches your skin, but if you get it on
  • A broken fluorescent light bulb can also expose you to mercury
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  • Mercury
  • If you inhale mercury, contact your local poison control center. You might need to have mercury removed from your body by suction or through medication, according to the National Institutes of Health.
  • up all the pieces and then place them into a sealed plastic bag. After you are finished, wash your hands thoroughly and ventilate the room
  • Prevention
  • Solution
  • To avoid injury to your skin, if a fluorescent light bulb breaks, sweep
Emily Locklear

Shining a light on fluorescent bulbs - US news - Environment - msnbc.com - 0 views

www.msnbc.msn.com/...ight-hazards-fluorescent-bulbs

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 02 Dec 11 - No Cached
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs, long touted by environmentalists as a more efficient and longer-lasting alternative to the incandescent bulbs that have lighted homes for more than a century, are running into resistance from waste industry officials and some environmental scientists, who warn that the bulbs’ poisonous innards pose a bigger threat to health and the environment than previously thought.
  • Fluorescents — the squiggly, coiled bulbs that generate light by heating gases in a glass tube — are generally considered to use more than 50 percent less energy and to last several times longer than incandescent bulbs
  • contaminate up to 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe drinking levels, extrapolated from Stanford University research on mercury. Even the latest lamps promoted as “low-mercury” can contaminate more than 1,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels.
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  • When Bridges began calling around to local government agencies to find out what to do, “I was shocked to see how uninformed literally everyone I spoke to was,” she said. “Even our own poison control operator didn’t know what to tell me
  • It was just a wiggly bulb that I reached up to change,” Bridges said. “When the bulb hit the floor, it shattered.”
  • Manufacturers and the EPA say broken CFLs should be handled carefully and recycled to limit dangerous vapors and the spread of mercury dust. But guidelines for how to do that can be difficult to find, as Brandy Bridges
  • of Ellsworth, Maine, discovered
  • The state eventually referred her to a private cleanup firm, which quoted a $2,000 estimate to contain the mercury. After Bridges complained publicly about her predicament, state officials changed their recommendation: Simply throw it in the trash, they said
  • Break a bulb? Five steps for cleanup That was the wrong answer, according to the EPA. It offers a detailed, 11-step procedure you should follow: Air out the room for a quarter of an hour. Wear gloves. Double-bag the refuse. Use duct tape to lift the residue from a carpet. Don’t use a vacuum cleaner, as that will only spread the problem. The next time you vacuum the area, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag.
  • In general, however, the EPA endorses the use of fluorescent bulbs, citing their energy savings. Silbergeld also does not discourage their use because of their energy savings, but she said the EPA could be sending mixed signals to confused consumers.
  • “It’s kind of ironic that on the one hand, the agency is saying, ‘Don’t worry, it’s a very small amount of mercury.’ Then they have a whole page of [instructions] how to handle the situation if you break one,” she
  • “I think there’s going to be hundreds of millions of [CFLs] in landfills all over the country,” said Leonard Worth, head of Fluorecycle Inc. of Ingleside, Ill., a certified facility. Once in a landfill, bulbs are likely to shatter even if they’re packaged properly, said the Solid Waste Association of North America. From there, mercury can leach into soil and groundwater and its vapors can spread through the air, potentially exposing workers to toxic levels of the poison.
Emily Locklear

3 Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Problems-and Expert Fixes - Popular Mechanics - 0 views

www.popularmechanics.com/...4276104

cfl

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  • Recently I found smoke pouring out of a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) in a basement light. I turned off the light, removed the bulb and rushed it outside. An incandescent installed in the same socket has not had a problem. I've also had CFLs wear out prematurely. I'm stumped by all this
  • I've experienced three types of CFL problems and, judging from our mail, it seems our readers have as well
  • Problem: The bulbs simply were defective--they seem to have failed for no good reason.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Solution: I've never had a problem with a bulb from a major manu­facturer. Now, I spend the extra few bucks for
  • name-brand product.
  • Problem: The bulb failed because it was installed in an inappropriate lighting fixture, one that it wasn't rated for.* Solution: Read the bulb package's fine print. Some bulbs are meant to be used only in downward-facing fixtures, others in enclosed and recessed, three-way or outdoor fixtures. Additionally, there are CFLs rated to be oper­ated by a device such as a dimmer, timer or photoelectric eye.
  • Problem: The bulb wears out prematurely because it was turned on and off frequently, or because it experienced excessive vibration or impact--for instance, a lamp in a foyer might get a jolt with each slam of the front door. * Solution: Although manufacturers are developing tougher CFLs, this is one area where the century-old incandescent bulb has them beat. Check out Heavy Duty Rough Service bulbs from Feit Electric Company. Each bulb has a reinforced filament rated for 3000 to 5000 hours
  • It seems that while new compact fluorescents save a lot of power, they're a lot more fickle when it comes to installation than their incandescent brothers. Here are three common problems with CFLs and how to avoid them.
Emily Locklear

Facts About CFLs - Earth911.com - 3 views

earth911.com/...facts-about-cfls

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 30 Nov 11 - Cached
  • Sealed within the glass tubing of CFLs, is a very small amount of mercury. On average, CFLs contain four milligrams of mercury – about the same amount that would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen. This may seem high to some, but keep in mind that old thermometers contained about 500 milligrams of mercury. Mercury  allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or not being used.
  • Thanks to a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their products
  • This has been made easier by advances in technology. Based on these two factors, the average mercury content in CFLs dropped at least 20 percent in the past few years. Some manufacturers have gone as far to have dropped their CFLs’ mercury content to 1.4 to 2.5 milligrams per light bulb.
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  • Always hold the base of the bulb, not the glass, when screwing and unscrewing it. Don’t force the bulb into the socket. If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the clean-up recommendations provided by the EPA. Used CFLs should be properly disposed of through recycling.
  • returned to local recycling centers or household hazardous waste events that accept CFLs. If your state or local environmental agency allows you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, make sure to seal the bulb in two plastic bags before being placed in an outdoor trash can for pickup. Never send a fluorescent light bulb or any other mercury
  • containing product to an incinerator.
Emily Locklear

GE Consumer & Industrial Lighting: Ask Us: FAQs - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - 3 views

www.gelighting.com/...faq_compact.htm

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 30 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • > Return to Top What should I do if a CFL breaks?Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk
  • to you or your family should a bulb break and it's cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines
  • Sweep up—don't vacuum—all of the glass fragments and fine particles. Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well. If weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate
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  • To reduce the chance of interference, avoid placing compact fluorescent bulbs near these kinds of electronic devices. If interference occurs, move the bulb away from the electronic device, or plug either the light fixture or the electronic device into a different outlet
  • Many electronic devices, such as radios, televisions, wireless telephones, and remote controls, use infrared light to transmit signals. Infrequently, these types of electronic devices accidentally interpret the infrared light coming from a compact fluorescent bulb as a signal, causing the electronic device to temporarily malfunction or stop working. (For example, your television might suddenly change channels.) Fortunately, this only happens when light is produced at the same wavelength as the electronic device signals, which is rare
  • Top Can compact fluorescent bulbs create interference with electronic equipment, such
  • as radios?
  • as radios
  • Can I use a CFL bulb outside?Many CFL bulbs can be used outdoors if used in an enclosed fixture. To be certain, look for the package or bulb to say that it
  • being used
  • can be used outdoors and verify the lowest operating temperature for the area where the product is
  • Can I use a CFL in applications involving vibration such as a ceiling fan or garage door opener?Generally it is not recommended to use CFLs in vibrating environments. Vibration can cause the electronics in the CFL to fail. There is one CFL bulb (FLE11) that is available for use in a ceiling fan. Check the package for this application
  • > Return to Top Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb with an electronic timer or photocell (AKA electric eye)?Some electronic timers and photocells contain parts that are incompatible with compact fluorescent light bulbs; using these bulbs in incompatible products will result in a shorter light bulb life. To find out if an electronic timer or photocell is compatible with compact fluorescent bulbs, check with the manufacturer of the timer or photocell
  • small number of cases where this might occur, it can produce a very pungent smell that is certainly not pleasant. If this situation occurs, the easiest way to eliminate any odor is to follow the same approach that one would use to eliminate any other unpleasant odor or smell. Briefly leave the immediate area if it is very irritating. Next, after waiting 10 or 15 minutes, air out the room by opening any doors or a window if there is one. This will quickly dissipate the remaining fumes or smell. If available, a normal portable household fan or ceiling fan will accelerate the process. Properly dispose of the lamp.
  • Any smoke or odor produced is in a low concentration, which will not result in a hazard. However, in the relatively
  • ny electrical or electronic products, can sometimes fail in a way where one
  • The vast majority of CFLs do not
  • the electrical components or plastic materials will briefly produce a very irritating odor and possibly some smoke.
  • produce either an odor or smoke when the CFL either fails or reaches its normal
  • I have a CFL that has produced a very unpleasant odor and some smoke when it failed. Is this common? Hazardous? What should I do if this happens in the future
  • that has produced a very unpleasant odor and some smoke when it failed. Is this common? Hazardous? What should I do if this happens in the
  • smoke
  • it failed. Is this common? Hazardous? What should I do if this happens in the future?
  • > Return to Top I have a CFL that has produced a very unpleasant odor and some smoke when it failed. Is this common? Hazardous? What should I do if this happens in the future?
  • end of life. However, CFLs, like ma
  • light bulbs (such as compact fluorescent bulbs) give off hazardous amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light?Regular fluorescent light bulbs used in your home and office do not produce a hazardous amount of ultraviolet light (UV). Most light sources, including fluorescent bulbs, emit a small amount of UV, but the UV produced by fluorescent light bulbs is far less than the amount produced by natural daylight. (Ultraviolet light rays are the light wavelengths that can cause sunburn and skin damage.)
  • What compact fluorescent light bulb do I buy to replace an incandescent (regular) bulb?While a regular (incandescent) light bulb uses heat to produce light, a fluorescent bulb creates light using an entirely different method that is far more energy-efficient — in fact, 4-6 times more efficient. This means that you can buy a 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt regular incandescent bulb.
  • Don't worry about the math, though — we make it easy for you to figure out which compact fluorescent bulb to buy by displaying the equivalent regular watts you're used to prominently on the package. Just look for the wattage you would normally buy in a regular bulb. In case you're curious, here are the watts needed by regular incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs to produce the same amount
  • of light
  • Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb with a dimmer switch?To use a compact fluorescent bulb on a dimmer switch, you must buy a bulb that's specifically made to work with dimmers (check the package). GE makes a dimming compact fluorescent light bulb (called the Energy Smart Dimming Spirals®) that is specially designed for use with dimming switches. We don't recommend using regular compact fluorescent bulbs with dimming switches, since this can shorten bulb life. (Using a regular compact fluorescent bulb with a dimmer will also nullify the bulb's warranty.)
  • > Return to Top Can I use a compact fluorescent light bulb on my 3-way lamp?GE does make CFL bulbs for use in 3-way lamps. Check the package for this application. If a regular CFL is use in a 3-way switch, it will work on the middle (medium) setting and it should not damage the bulb. The 3-way switch does not alter the performance of the bulb
Emily Locklear

The Downside to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Seven Problems with CFL Bulbs Prevent Wider ... - 2 views

holly-martin.suite101.com/pact-fluorescent-bulbs-a103105

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 29 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • CFLs and Mercury
  • One of the biggest reasons to buy CFLs is that because they use so little energy, they reduce overall emissions of
  • mercury into the air from power plant smoke stacks. However, as noted above, all fluorescent bulbs contain a tiny
  • ...23 more annotations...
  • mercury, which is highly toxic
  • depending on the state or country involved, the use of CFLs may actually increase total mercury released to the environment.
  • The reason is that power plants use different fuel sources, which release different amount of mercury into the air
  • In some locations that use cleaner coal, or that have few recycling options, the mercury leaked into
  • environment from landfilled CFLs could actually surpass the amount saved by using less electricity from power plants.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the light bulbs of choice
  • for saving energy and money on utilities
  • But several drawbacks are forcing some to look for other options.
  • are far more efficient than
  • traditional bulbs, which waste about 90 percent of their energy on heat. Many people have significantly reduced their electric bills by switching to CFLs. But there are situations where CFLs are not the best option.
  • CFLs work on the principle of fluorescence
  • An electronic ballast in the base
  • of the bulb generates an arc between two electrodes inside a glass t
  • filled with gas
  • The arc excites mercury atoms in the gas so that they give off
  • ultra-violet (UV) energy
  • Cleanup and Recycling of CFLs
  • Although the amount of mercury in a CFL is much less than that in a can of tuna, CFLs are considered household hazardous waste. By law, they must be either be recycled or taken to an approved hazardous waste disposal site.
  • These steps include airing out the room, putting all debris and cleaning materials into a sealed jar or double plastic bag, and avoiding the use of brooms or vacuum cleaners that might stir mercury into the air.
  • Protection website recommends disposing of the carpet, rug or bedspread on which a CFL breaks. It also suggests that CFLs might not be appropriate in rooms used by infants, small children or pregnant women, who are more susceptible to mercury poisoning.
  • Many hardware stores and local disposal sites accept CFLs for recycling, and some companies now sell pre-paid shipping boxes addressed to recycling plants. Unfortunately, not everyone has easy access to these options, so about three out of four CFLs end up in landfills, where the mercury gets leached into the soil and groundwater.
  • CFLs on Dimmer Switches
  • dimmer switches. Using these switches saves energy by reducing the amount of power needed for lighting. But most CFLs do not work on dimmer switches, and may actually damage this kind of switch.
Emily Locklear

When a CFL Breaks: EPA Guidelines for Cleanup of Compact Fluorescent Light - 3 views

homerepair.about.com/...cfl_epa_cleanup.htm

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 29 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • alternative to incandescent lighting
  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps or CFL's have received much attention as an energy efficient
  • increased use has caused concerns as people learn about their mercury hazards and
  • ...10 more annotations...
  • what's involved in cleaning them up if they break.
  • well, surprised about CFL's since
  • they are touted as being clean, green, lighting machines. Even the Environmental
  • Protection Agency (EPA) program ENERGY STAR touts these lights as safe and clean
  • The problem? Well, CFL's contain a neurotoxin called mercury that gets released when the bulb breaks. Mercury exposure has adverse health effects. Since mercury vapor is essential to CFL operation, CFL's are considered a hazardous material when they break and cannot
  • be thrown away
  • Here's an example of what I mean. This FAQ from ENERGY STAR states near the bottom of page two:
  • Mercury is an element found naturally in the environment
  • Great, sounds natural, like water.
  • However CFL's use mercury in a vapor form. The EPA website for Elemental Mercury Exposure, states: "It is not uncommon for children to break fever thermometers in their mouths. Mercury that is swallowed in such cases poses low risk comparison to the risk of breathing mercury vapor."
Emily Locklear

Are Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs Dangerous?: Scientific American - 4 views

www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 28 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • ability to emit light; no other element has proved as efficient.
  • however, mercury—sometimes called quicksilver—is also highly toxic
  • . It is especially harmful to the brains of both fetuses and children. That's why officials have curtailed or banned its use in applications from thermometers to automotive and thermostat switches. (A single thermostat switch, still common in many homes, may contain 3,000 milligrams (0.1 ounce) of mercury, or as much as 600 compact fluorescents
  • ...20 more annotations...
  • Mercury escapes as vapor that can be inhaled and as a fine powder that can settle into carpet and other textiles
  • At least one case of mercury poisoning has been linked to fluorescents: A 1987 article in Pediatrics describes a 23-month-old who suffered weight loss and severe rashes after a carton of eight-foot (2.4-meter) tubular bulbs broke in a play area.State and federal government agencies say that breakages, though deserving of caution, can usually be cleaned up inexpensively with household goods. (In the Maine case, the state acknowledges providing the referral but insists the homeowner was informed that such a step was unnecessary.)
  • The important thing is not to touch the heavy metal. After airing out the room, the
  • larger pieces of the bulb should be scooped off hard surfaces with stiff paper or
  • cardboard or picked up off carpeted surfaces with gloves to avoid contact
  • tape or duct tape to pick up smaller fragments; then, on hard surfaces, wipe down the area with a damp paper towel or a wet wipe. All materials should be placed in a sealable plastic bag or, even better, in a glass jar with a metal lid.
  • Use sticky
  • fluorescents out with regular garbage,
  • In many locales it is illegal to throw
  • but the closest recycling or take-back facility
  • may be miles away
  • (And, given the number of bottles and cans that end up in landfills
  • despite the prevalence of curbside recycling programs, it seems likely that any barrier
  • to recycling will make for relatively low reclamation rates; in 2004 the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers estimated a residential mercury bulb recycling rate of 2 percent
  • fluorescents is that they save significant quantities of energy," Berlow adds. "We're talking about two thirds to three quarters of the energy associated with lighting being reduced
  • largest U.S. source: coal-fired power plants. "Probably the most important thing that people need to connect with compact
  • fluorescent bulbs actually reduce the mercury pollution from the single
  • ompact
  • ompac
  • And compact
Emily Locklear

Ask TreeHugger: Is Mercury from a Broken CFL Dangerous? : TreeHugger - 8 views

www.treehugger.com/...om-a-broken-cfl-dangerous.html

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 22 Nov 11 - No Cached
    • Emily Locklear
      Emily Locklear on 28 Nov 11
       
      Very Very Dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( DONT INHALE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emily Locklear

Cleaning Up a Broken Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) | Compact Fluorescent Light B... - 1 views

epa.gov/...cflcleanup.html

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 28 Nov 11 - No Cached
    • Emily Locklear
      Emily Locklear on 28 Nov 11
       
      yall lets start thinking about our other solution the cfl powerpoint!!!!!!
Emily Locklear

Best content in Enviro | Diigo - Groups - 1 views

groups.diigo.com/enviro

shared by Emily Locklear on 22 Nov 11 - No Cached
    • Emily Locklear
      Emily Locklear on 22 Nov 11
       
      tsa progect on mercury in water !!!!!
Emily Locklear

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Mercury Warning - 1 views

www.hoax-slayer.com/rcury-fluorescent-lights.shtml

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 22 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines: Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes
  • Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner. Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands). Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder
  • Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it. If your state permits you to put used or broken fluorescent light bulbs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available).
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  • Wash your hands after disposing of the bag. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.
  • WASHINGTON - Brandy Bridges heard the claims of government officials, environmentalists and retailers like Wal-Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving and money-saving compact fluorescent lamps.So, last month, the Prospect, Maine, resident went out and bought two dozen CFLs and began installing them in her home. One broke. A month later, her daughter's bedroom remains sealed off with plastic like the site of a hazardous materials accident, while Bridges works on a way to pay off a $2,000 estimate by a company specializing in environmentally sound cleanups of the mercury inside the bulb.
  • News reports claim that if a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) is broken, it can release dangerous levels of mercury into the house and a professional environmental cleanup crew is required to handle the problem (Full commentary below).
  • Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving and money-saving compact fluorescent
  • WASHINGTON - Brandy Bridges heard the claims of government officials, environmentalists and retailers like Wal-Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy
  • claims of government officials, environmentalists and retailers like Wal-Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving and money-saving compact fluorescent lamps.
Emily Locklear

Mercury Releases and Spills | Mercury | US EPA - 4 views

epa.gov/spills

cfl

shared by Emily Locklear on 22 Nov 11 - No Cached
  • can prevent potential mercury exposure to you and your environment by: storing and handling responsibly products that contain mercury; following our tips when cleaning up mercury spills; and recycling or otherwise properly disposing of products that contain mercury. Cleaning Up Spills What never to do after a mercury spill What to do if a thermometer breaks Other mercury spills
  • More than the amount in a thermometer, but less than one pound, which is about two tablespoons More than two tablespoons (one pound
  • Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Cleaning up Superfund and other hazardous waste sites where mercury is present Mercury Response Guidebook (for emergency responders)
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  • Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury. The vacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure. Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them. Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
  • Never wash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact with mercury in a washing machine, because mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage. Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded. By "direct contact," we mean that mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the clothing, for example, if you break a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came in contact with your clothing. Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.
  • NOTE: these instructions also apply to spills from other sources, if the amount spilled is less than or similar to the amount in a thermometer (see specific information about how to clean up broken fluorescent bulbs)
  • Put on rubber, nitrile or latex gloves.
  • If there are any broken pieces of glass or sharp objects, pick them up with care. Place all broken objects on a paper towel. Fold the paper towel and place in a zip lock bag. Secure the bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
  • Locate visible mercury beads. Use a squeegee or cardboard to gather mercury beads. Use slow sweeping motions to keep mercury from becoming uncontrollable. Take a flashlight, hold it at a low angle close to the floor in a darkened room and look for additional glistening beads of mercury that may be sticking to the surface or in small cracked areas of the surface. Note: Mercury can move surprising distances on hard-flat surfaces, so be sure to inspect the entire room when "searching."
  • Use the eyedropper to collect or draw up the mercury beads. Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department
  • it makes the mercury easier to see since there may be a color change from yellow to brown and (2) it binds the mercury so that it can be easily removed and suppresses the vapor of any missing mercury. Where to get commercialized sulfur? It may be supplied as mercury vapor absorbent in mercury spill kits, which can be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers
  • OPTIONAL STEP: It is OPTIONAL to use commercially available powdered sulfur to absorb the beads that are too small to see. The sulfur does two things: (1
  • Alternatively, use duct tape to collect smaller hard-to-see beads. Place the paint brush or duct tape in a zip lock bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag
  • as directed by your local health or fire department.
  • After you remove larger beads, put shaving cream on top of small paint brush and gently "dot" the affected area to pick up smaller hard-to-see beads.
  • Note: Powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. When using powdered sulfur, do not breathe in the powder as it can be moderately toxic. Additionally, users should read and understand product information before use.
  • If you choose not to use this option, you may want to request the services of a contractor who has monitoring equipment to screen for mercury vapors. Consult your local environmental or health agency to inquire about contractors in your area. Place all materials used with the cleanup, including gloves, in a trash bag. Place all mercury beads and objects into the trash bag. Secure trash bag and label it as directed by your local health or fire department.
  • Contact your local health department, municipal waste authority or your local fire department for proper disposal in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
  • Cleanup Instructions 1. Have everyone else leave the area; don't let anyone walk through the mercury on their way out.2. Open all windows and doors to the outside.3. Turn down the temperature.4. Shut all doors to other parts of the house, and leave the area.Don't vacuum.5. Call your local or state health or environmental agency. Top of page
  • site cleanups of active facilities or abandoned hazardous waste sites, mercury presents significant environmental challenges because it is difficult to treat, exists in many different forms, is volatile, and can be difficult to analyze. Some mercury contamination sites are also contaminated with oils, radioactive materials and organic compounds that present technical challenges.
  • Cleaning up mercury
  • Cleaning Up Superfund and Other Hazardous Waste Sites Where Mercury is Present
  • Conte
  • 1. 4-5 ziplock-type bags2. trash bags (2 to 6 mils thick)3. rubber, nitrile or latex gloves4. paper towels5. cardboard or squeegee6. eyedropper7. duct tape, or shaving cream and small paint brush8. flashlight9. powdered sulfur (optional
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