Aren't you proud of your contribution to saving the planet? http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55213
Boy oh boy, that just stinks. Really, I don't understand how some companies feel they can justify these kind of things. The sad part is, people will still buy these bulbs...
I think the response to the broken bulb-sealing off the room-was a little extreme. Ever broken an old mercury thermometer? A regular fluorescent bulb? Did you seal off the house? I have cfls in my house and I am fully aware of the proper disposal procedures-not that I've ever had one burn out yet. There is a recycling facility a couple miles from my house that accepts them. Most places probably have similar facilities, if people would bother to find them. I think most people also know that cfls aren't compatible with dimmers, etc. IMO-This is just another excuse for people to not do anything.
I've never had a thermometer break, and use only the new digital ones. As far as I know the old type my parents used went in the trash, didn't have to be sorted or taken to a separate recycling facility. Perhaps they were at fault but when they were getting rid of them I doubt there were any recycling centers. The broken bulb took place in a child's room and the family was only following the outlined procedures given them when they inquired how to deal with the problem. Do most people know cfls are not compaitble with dimmers? You really think so? The way they are being marketed claims they will replace all incandescent lighting? It definitely appears to be a good reason for responisble parents and environmently conscious individuals to really consider other alternatives to a new source of possible environmental contamination. Buying them may slow global warming (and I am not convinced they will), but if the earth is contaminated how is that a more important benefit.
http://www.metaefficient.com/archives/lighting/ecoleds-mercuryfree-led-bulbs.html there are alternatives being developed. i imagine the mercury vapor lamps will probably be phased out...i hope so.
That's good to know Lady, in the meantime here in California we are being sold on the toxic CFLs hook line and sinker as the only true alternative and savior of global warming. Oh and for the record mercury vapor mean something entirely different to the ag community...they are those big security and utility lamps used on farms. They are probably toxic as well but for a long time they were the only game on the block. And I know of a couple that are operating in their tenth year of service. But they aren't used inside of the home. They are usually attached to barns or out buildings. And I've seen seen one explode or broken, they are a bitch to get to.
It's a good point, but I try to avoid getting news from websites that host articles by Phyllis Schlafly.
Yeah, this story is utter nonsense and has been widely discredited. Maine's EPA told her that vacuming was likely sufficient to get rid of the mercury (which it is) but that she may wish to consult a company to have the carpet professionally cleaned. They quoted her the $2000 to do this. Breaking a compact fluoresent, just like normal output fluorescents which we've used for many, many decades, requires that you: 1) air out the room, 2) vacume up the area to remove the traces of mercury present in the bulbs. Do you honestly think that fluorescent bulbs would be for sale to everyone if they had enough mercury to pose really serious threats? C'mon now, let's use a bit of common sense. cj
Sorry but with the recent pet poisonings, and recall of toys I don't feel the same sense of security about what we are being sold as you appear to.
Keep this in mind: these technologies have been in use for as long as most people have been alive. The amount of mercury present in fluorescent bulbs is miniscule compared to other sources to the environment (e.g., coal-burning). This doesn't mean it should be ignored, but we certainly shouldn't be hysterical either. Swordfish and other large predatory fish accumulate a lot of mercury too--I wouldn't have my carpet professionally cleaned or call the EPA is someone dropped a swordfish on the floor
Some interesting information for people wishing to be informed consumers. http://sound.westhost.com/articles/incandescent.htm
