Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. The Good and The Bad

THE GOOD:
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or CFL's are quickly becoming the bulb of choice for many consumers.  These bulbs have a tremendous benefit in our personal lives in terms of cutting our energy costs and using less carbon based fuels to produce our electricity.

These bulbs produce the same amount of light as traditional incandescent bulbs, but they last 10 times longer and can save your $40 or more in electricity costs over its life time.

For the best results when using these bulbs use them in fixtures that allow airflow.  These would include hanging lambs, table lambs and floor lamps.  They also provide the greatest energy savings when they are used in fixtures that will be used for 15 minutes or more.  For example, your basement closet that you peep your head in and out of for 1 minute every 3 weeks would not be a good candidate for CFL's.

THE BAD
These bulbs contain MERCURY.  Mercury is very dangerous to humans and our environment.  Check out below what the CDC says about the dangers of Mercury to Humans:

"The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury. Methylmercury and metallic mercury vapors are more harmful than other forms, because more mercury in these forms reaches the brain. Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic, or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Effects on brain functioning may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems."

Based on the recommendations of the EPA What Do do When a Fluorescent Bulb Breaks:

1.  Before You Can Clean Up the Broken Glass You Must Air Out The Room:

• Immediately have people and pets leave the room.  Do so without walking through the broken bulb area.
• Open all Windows
• Stay out of the House for 15 Minutes
• Power Off all air conditioning and heating systems.

2.  Steps for Cleaning up Hard Surfaces

• Use thin cardboard or stiff paper to carefully scoop up the broken glass pieces and powder. Place these fragments in a jar with a metal lid or a sealed plastic bag.
• Use a damp paper towel or disposable wipe to wipe down the remaining area
• Do not use a vacuum or broom on hard surfaces to clean up broken CFLS

3.  Steps for Cleaning Up on Carpeting or Rugs

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
• Next use a sticky, durable tape such as duct tape to pick up any small remaining pieces of fragments and powder
• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

4.  Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials

• If your clothing, sheets or any other soft cloth materials come in direct contact with the broken glass or mercury containing powder, dispose of the material immediately in a plastic bag or jar with a metal lid.  Do not wash these materials because the mercury fragments may contaminate your washing machine and/or pollute the sewage system.
• If the clothing, sheets or any other soft cloth materials come in indirect contain with the broken glass or mercury containing powder, you may machine wash those materials.
• If your shoes come into direct contact with the glass or mercury containing powder wipe the soles with a damp paper towel and dispose of the towel in a plastic seal-able bag.

5.  Disposal of Clean up Materials

• Place all clean-up materials in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup
• Wash Hands immediately after disposing of clean-up materials.
• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

6.  Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• Before you vacuum, shut off air conditioning and heating.
• Open all windows.
• Keep off systems off and windows open for 15 minutes

SLAP ME SOME VERDICT
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs can be a temporary solution for our energy problems.  However, they can be a long term problem for our environment.

If you choose to use CFL's, use with caution and use responsibly.  You can save a little money, but you can also damage the health of your family and planet.

If you are worried about CFL's, begin looking and researching for LED lighting.  It is a low watt alternative without the side effects of CFL's