Does anyone know anything about the new energy saving light bulbs? See details?

See details. I have considered using them, but heard that they potentially cause a bigger problem for the environment, because they contain hazardous materials which when disposed of goes into the environment. Does anyone have any solid information/research on whether this is true or not?

Asked by marissa 56 months ago Similar questions: energy saving light bulbs details Environment.

Similar questions: energy saving light bulbs details.

They, like all fluorescent light bulbs, contain a tiny amount of mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal and doesn't ever degrade.It can get into ground water and into the food chain of fishes, birds, etc. However, mercury is also released by other human activities, especially coal-burning power plants. And there are lots of other toxic chemicals released by all sorts of other industries and human activities.

For example, triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical put (pointlessly) into all sorts of antibacterial household products like Dial soap. A recent study found it was harmful to the hormone systems of frogs, and possibly, humans. And although throwing out compact fluorescent bulbs does release some mercury into the environment, they help the environment by reducing our need for fossil fuels, especially coal.

They also reduce our need for air conditioning, since they generate less heat than incandescents. And, they don't get thrown out very often, since they last perhaps 10 times as long as incandescents. So it appears, on balance, that they are more a benefit to the environment and our health than the opposite.

Environmental advocacy groups are generally telling us we should use them. Here is the word on the mercury hazard from eartheasy. Com: "A CFL bulb generally contains less than 4 mg of mercury, while power plants will typically emit about 10 mg of mercury into the atmosphere in order to generate the electricity needed for an incandescent lightbulb.

The net benefit of using the more energy efficient lamp is positive, and this is especially true if the mercury in the fluorescent lamp is kept out of the waste stream when the lamp expires. " It goes on: "The mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs poses no threat while in the bulb, but if you break one be careful not to inhale the mercury - immediately use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a plastic bag. Although household CFL bulbs may legally be disposed of with regular trash (in the US), they are categorized as household hazardous waste.As long as the waste is sent to a modern municipal landfill, the hazard to the environment is limited.

However, CFL's should not be sent to an incinerator, which would disperse the mercury into the atmosphere. The best solution is to save spent CFL's for a community household hazardous waste collection, which would then send the bulbs to facilities capable of treating, recovering or recycling them. For more information on CFL disposal or recycling, you can contact your local municipality.

Although CFL's have these handling and disposal issues, the large energy savings of CFL bulbs compared to incandescents is of greater overall environmental benefit. " http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm Further, newer bulbs have less mercury, though it is unlikely that it can be done away with entirely. Incidentally, there are a number of myths about them that keep people from using them.

They don't flicker or hum. The light they make is much better than those "cool-white" fluorescent tubes you see everywhere, and generally can't be distinguished from incandescents (especially the lower wattage ones.) Certain ones can be used with three-way lamps, and others can be used with dimmers, though they cost more. The only place where they don't work as well is in cold outdoor areas, where they put out less light, and take a fraction of a second to turn on.

Dispose of compact fluorescent bulbs properly Compact fluorescent bulbs do contain small but hazardous amounts of mercury and must be disposed of properly (i.e. Through recycling programs) just like batteries, turpentine, and other household material that may be hazardous. See cited fact sheet... Sources: gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/d... .

1 I just bought some today and I was standing in line to pay for them, I noticed it said on the package they had mercury in them. Now I'd sure like to know what that will do to the environment and also if you break a bulb, what then? Geesh!

I just bought some today and I was standing in line to pay for them, I noticed it said on the package they had mercury in them. Now I'd sure like to know what that will do to the environment and also if you break a bulb, what then? Geesh!

2 Well, as I say in my answer, mercury isn't good for the environment, but on balance, it is better to use compact fluorescents than not to. Our power plants put out more mercury creating the electricity to run an incandescent than one compact fluorescent has inside. If you do break one, the word is just to wipe it up with a paper towel and toss it out.It would be better to put the pieces in an airtight bag or container and give it to the waste disposal people as a toxic waste, but it isn't absolutely necessary.

Well, as I say in my answer, mercury isn't good for the environment, but on balance, it is better to use compact fluorescents than not to. Our power plants put out more mercury creating the electricity to run an incandescent than one compact fluorescent has inside. If you do break one, the word is just to wipe it up with a paper towel and toss it out.It would be better to put the pieces in an airtight bag or container and give it to the waste disposal people as a toxic waste, but it isn't absolutely necessary.

3 I was told that you are not to put them in the trash. But I'm going to try them, but frankly I don't like florescent (sp) lights. They bother me as far as seeing goes.

I was told that you are not to put them in the trash. But I'm going to try them, but frankly I don't like florescent (sp) lights. They bother me as far as seeing goes.

" "how long does small l.e.d. Light bulbs last?" "Has anyone had a health problem with the 'new' energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs when you replaced regular bulbs? " "iam looking for light bulbs for touch lamps" "Can I use 'regular' light bulbs in my refrigerator?

" "Can anyone tell me where to find 6.3 V DC, 3-Watt light bulbs?

I have a chandellier I bought from Europe (220V) and I need converters for light bulbs so I can use the 110 light bulbs.

How long does small l.e.d. Light bulbs last?

Iam looking for light bulbs for touch lamps.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.