Are there any hidden dangers with energy saving lightbulbs?

Question

I have heard that they contain mercury and are diffucoult to dispose of

Answer 1

Yes, some contain mercury which is hazardous to both humans and the environment.

Bizarrely, the EU want to ban mercury thermometers as part of their EU mercury strategy which is aimed at helping to protect citixen's health and the environment - I would have thought that light bulbs pose more of a risk than thermometers...

OK, so they are thinking of bringing in proposals to cover the disposal of light bulbs, but how do you govern something like that?

More info on their scheme here.... http://www.greenupandgo.com/green-news/getting-rid-of-energy-saving-bulbs/

Answer 2

Using compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) actually reduces mercury pollution.

Fossil fuels contain mercury. Using incandescent bulbs causes more mercury to be emitted from power plants. More than is in a CFL.

It's better if you dispose of old CFLs properly so that even the tiny amount of mercury is not released. But, no matter how they're disposed of, CFLs reduce mercury pollution.

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/sustainable/Powerplay%20articles/16Powerplay.Mercury.CFL.html

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

Note also that conventional fluorescent bulbs contain 2-10 times as much mercury and are easier to break. You definitely should dispose of those properly. Call your local government and ask how.

Answer 3

Yes, they contain Mercury and the problem is most people throw them away with their garbage. And if they break the Mercury goes into the ground and can get into the water and soil. Also if it breaks while your holding it, the mercury can get on you, which is dangerous. They are really not OK.

What we need to do if we want to have these kind of bulbs is have places to drop them off for recycling.

Answer 4

Yes, the compact flourescent energy-wise bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury. They need to be disposed of properly. Most large stores where you purchase them have recycling programs in place. Home Depot, Rona, Ikea, etc will take back the expired bulbs for recycling.

Answer 5

Energy saving lightbulbs are known to contain mercury.

Answer 6

Yes they are full of mercury and other lovely toxins.

As for the disposal, most local authorities tell you to chuck them in your regular rubbish. To my knowledge no council in the UK actually offers proper disposal facilities for energy efficient lightbulbs at present.

Answer 7

The only danger I have found is the shatter and need to be vacuumed up because they stick to the floor. Personally I like the covered ones from Ikea they have a wrap on them that if you drop them holds the glass in.
As to disposal any HHW (Hazardous Household Waste) Center will take them.

Answer 8

Fluorescents? Yes they have a small amount of mercury, there should be a facility in your area that will acept them for disposal, Google "homeowners hazardous waste disposal" and the county or city you live in, should come up.

Answer 9

there is not any longer a lot mercury in a lightbulb, yet its no longer secure to respire. finally the small volume will deplete yet as a results of fact the Clinton administration's expert scientists suggested...there is not any secure point of mercury exposure. Its a danger, yet a small one. the only concern is that in case you have dozens of CFL bulbs and have a habit of breaking them a lot on your domicile. LED's will replace CFL's and incandescents as quickly as the fees replace into genuine looking and manufacturers lead them to in bulk. One option to look at: Skylights, or perhaps including a window or 2.

Answer 10

www.lamprecycle.org
They contain mercury, but not enough to be dangerous to you. I wouldn't eat one, but they should be safe. In some states it is illegal to throw them into the trash, but this usually applies only to businesses and not consumers. I don't know of any local recyclers that will take them. Check
www.earth911.com
for info on your local recycling programs.