Florescent light bulbs can create toxic mercury levels in ground/water when disposed of - true?

Question

I've read that the contents of these light bulbs everyone is so excited about now will enter into the air, ground and eventually water supply once the dumps become filled with them creating health problems from mercury poisoning in our future. Since I already suffer from toxic levels of mercury, I am concerned. We ought to be able to create lighting without polluting our world further. Has anyone seen research on this?

Answer 1

Florescent light bulbs will not work without mercury vapor in them. The benefit of using them out weight the risk if people are conscientious about proper dispose of burned out bulbs. I replaced all of my other bulbs with florescent bulbs because they save electricity and they last a lot longer. As technology progress, manufacturers are finding ways to reduce the mercury content in the bulbs. In the mean time don't toss your burned out bulbs in the trash can. Instead, contact your local recycling center and make arrangement for drop off. You can also check out these sites for more info
http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling/
http://earth911.org/

Answer 2

The quick answer is yes, there is a toxic amount of mercury contained within these bulbs. The good news is that each individual bulb does not produce a high level of toxic mercury and the bad news is that mercury is a bio-accumulator which translates into it is one of the substances that builds up concentration levels over time. You can check out the EPA website and additionally the consumer protection and national water council websites for links and additional information. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

The lower cost bulbs made in China are to be avoided.
The ones now manufactured in the U.S. have a much safer level.
Those made by reputable manufacturers give an 800 number to call when disposing of the bulb.

Answer 4

The short answer is yes, but it is a very small amount in each bulb.

That is why they need to be recycled and not thrown away. When they are recycled there is no danger posed by the mercury - its completely safe.

Answer 5

I have heard of what your talking about at work,we put our used florescent light bulbs in a large barrel,they are not taken with the other trash to the dump.I don't know where they send them.I wonder why the still make those if they are that dangerous.


(Many blessings)

Answer 6

Yes and no, the amount in each bulb is minor; it is only when large quantities are improperly disposed of that a problem could occur.

Answer 7

Yup, they do have harmful levels of mercury, but they can be recycled. I hear IKEA allows you to turn in used bulbs for free. Plus they have cheap furniture.

Answer 8

They do have their problems and I'd like to see more emphasis on recycling them. I'd like to see the use of LED lights start to be used much more because they don't have these problems, and they use less electricity.