Advertise- - ------------------- ------------------Newsletter---------- --------------------- ---------Articles

Fluorescent bulbs and mercury questions?

Compact fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury!
In terms of the environmental effectiveness of using these bulbs, the big consideration is that by using these bulbs, consumers are greatly reducing their need for electricity in general.

The BC Hydro website (see www.bchydro.com/powersmart/elibrary/elibrary680.html) has some information about compact fluorescent bulbs: "Because compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, is it better for the environment to use incandescent bulbs? No. Although fluorescent lights contain small amounts of mercury, they are far more energy-efficient than incandescent lights. Using energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs is better for the environment because they reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gas-fired generating stations, and reduce the need to build new generation facilities. Because they last about eight times longer, fewer bulbs go into landfills and less packaging is required."

The first Australian life-cycle analysis of compact fluorescent light bulbs -- see www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2007/1853382.htm for more on this -- found that when you consider the mercury produced from burning coal for electricity, the energy hungry incandescent bulbs contribute five times more mercury to the environment than CFLs do.

How you we would dispose of compact fluorescent light bulbs?

The General Electric Company has some frequently asked questions about compact fluorescent bulbs (see www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm), which includes the following question and answer: "How do I dispose of my compact fluorescent light bulbs? Is the disposal different than for regular bulbs? In most cities, fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs used at home can be disposed of in the same way as regular light bulbs. While all fluorescent bulbs contain a trace amount of mercury, the quantity is so minute that disposal is not regulated by federal standards (established by the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency).
You would have to dispose of an incredibly large amount of fluorescent bulbs — around 360 4-foot fluorescent tubes — before you would be subject to federal disposal standards. However, individual states and provinces also have established disposal standards. Please refer to your local cities disposal policies."

A good Canadian resource for recycling information is provided by Natural Resources Canada through their recycling website, found here: www.recycle.nrcan.gc.ca/default_e.htm. In addition, for those in the Okanagan, Vancouver & BC area, BC Hydro lists retailers where you can bring in your old compact fluorescent light bulbs for recycling: www.bchydro.com/powersmart/elibrary/elibrary40640.html.

You can also learn more about compact fluorescent bulbs through the Natural Resources Canada website. On this page of their site -- http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers/questions-answers.cfm?attr=4 -- they note that "There is a small amount of mercury in CFLs to help them produce light. But did you know that this amount is less than 1/5 the amount found in a common watch battery."

Finally, some very insightful statistics from Environment Canada about CFLs -- found here: www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/english/issues/48/any_questions_e.cfm -- are the following: "If every household in Canada changed just one traditional incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR labeled CFL, the country would save over $73 million in energy costs every year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 397,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide –- which would have the same impact on climate change as taking 66,000 cars off the road for one year."

I hope you find the above information useful and helpful in allowing you to make an informed decision about the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Emailed to OKinHealth from the David Suzuki Foundation.

Their website is www.davidsuzuki.org.

Back to Newsletter

Back to Main Article' s page

Home

Workshops & Events

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER -
This information and research which is intended to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All material in this article is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this newsletter / website. Readers should consult their doctor and other qualified health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided in this newsletter/website are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors. Readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions.
OK in Health is not responsible for the information in these articles and for any content included on this article is intended as a guide only and should not be used as an to seeking professional advice from either your doctor or a registered specialist for yourself or anyone else.

This article is of the copyright of OKinHealth and the author; any reproduction, duplication and transmission of the article are to have prior written approval by OKinHealth or the author Brian Yourish /David Suzuki Foundation.