People like to complain about the new fluorescent bulbs. The light isn't warm and friendly, the spiral bulbs don't fit their fixtures, and they don't last as long as claimed. But the biggest gripe heard is how hard it is to unload these bulbs, and that you have to pay for the privilege.
Incandescent light bulbs are easy, buy, burn, and toss. But not so with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). It's against the law to put fluorescent lights in the garbage in Minnesota and several other states. Even if it weren't, you wouldn't want to do it. The bulbs contain toxic mercury, which requires special handling. The poison poses no threat when bulbs stay intact, but lamps break when trashed and mercury escapes. Once releashed, it can never be fully recovered, scientists say.
Often only a small amount of mercury, about 5 milligrams, is in a CFL. Yet research shows that's enough to render 6,000 gallons of water UNDRINKABLE, according to an MSNBC report. And the average household has 50 light sockets. So why are environmentalists, federal and state governments and other authorities pushing fluorescent light bulbs?? Because they are real energy savers. "CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard lighting, produce 75 percent less heat, and last up to 10 times longer", according to the Web site of Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
But how can they be good for the environment if they contain mercury?? Because so much energy is conserved, there's a net decrease in the amount of mercury released compared with what's released by the coal-burning power plants that produce electricity for conventional lighting, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). In addition, the reduced electrical demand means fewer greenhouse gases are released.
Officials from some states and even other EPA departments advised Energy Star to put out an advisory on mercury information and proper disposal, said John Gilkeson of the MPA. A bill passed by congress and signed into law by President Bush in December phases out traditional incandescent lamps, but there's no provision for disposal. But getting rid of spent fluorescent might be easier in countries that are part of a hazardous waste program, and nearly every program accepts these lamps, often free of charge.
So hold onto them until you have enough to warrant a trip to your county hazardous waste collection site, or wait until there's a seasonal collection event in your area. If you have to pay, it's typically 50 cents or a dollar, and you'll come out ahead. You might pay $5 more for CFL than incandescent, and pay another $1 for recycling, but over the bulbs lifetime, you could save $50 to $100 in electricity.
Some hardware stores have collection programs, with utilities offering coupons to offset disposal costs. Retailers such as IKEA collect them for free. Don't worry, you won't be doing it this way for long. Even better lighting technology is right around the corner. LED (light emitting diodes) are only 5 to 10 years out. They're more efficient, last even longer than fluorescent and there's no mercury to worry about.
Meanwhile, it makes sense to go fluorescent. Here are some solutions to common problems...
CFLs burn out early: Take them back to the store for a refund or exchange.
They come on dim and take a while to warm up: CFLs can take 30 seconds to a minute to come to full light.
They don't fit my lamp: Try a smaller bulb such as Sylvania micro-mini twist.
I hate the harsh, white light: Read the label, Buy lamps with color temperatures listed at 2700k or 3000k.
IN CASE OF BREAKAGE.
If a fluorescent bulb breaks, open windows and outside doors, vacate the room. After 15 minutes, start clean up. The Minnesota Department of health recommends that you:
Carefully sweep up the fragment, using something disposable. DO NOT use your hands.
Wipe the area with a paper towel to remove all glass fragments. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner.
Use duct tape or something similar to clean up the remaining powder and residue.
Place all fragments and clean-up utensils in a sealed plastic bag inside another bag and dispose of them at a hazardous waste site.
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