The new ECO light bulbs contain mercury - how can they be safe...
The new ECO light bulbs contain mercury - how can they be be safe?
Which are safer, the old or the new light bulbs? The former NZ Labour- led government wanted to ban the old ones, but it was reported that the new ECO bulbs contain mercury and should be handled carefully if broken - don't vacuum up the pieces - use cellotape to collect the pieces and put them in a bag and dispose of them in a garbage container.
I have been down to the supermarket and bought more of the old bulbs and disposed of the new ECO bulbs. Safety comes before electricity savings!
However, dimmable eco lightbulbs were revealed on show in London recently by Greenpeace International.
What is your opinion about the old and the new? You are invited to leave a comment here.
What is more important here, electricity savings or safety? Please think about it carefully!
Dimmable eco lightbulbs
Labels: eco bulbs, electricity savings, mercury, safety
2 Comments:
From everything I've read, I believe CFLs aren't dangerous. They contain, on average, 4 milligrams of mercury per bulb which is about 1 percent of the mercury contained in an old home thermometer (which most of us put in our mouths). Since CFLs can be recycled, including the mercury, there are no mercury emissions. If a bulb breaks, mercury emissions will dissipate within one hour and experts say that even under the most unlikely exposure levels, it would still not be harmful.
If I had the choice of using a CFL or a LED, I'd choose the LED which doesn't contain mercury and is energy efficient. However, at this time, LEDs aren't great for home use. So, I use CFLs. Naturally care must be taken with them and they must be recycled ... but I don't think they are dangerous or to be feared.
Great, thought-provoking post! Thanks!
Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
Great comments. Some interesting info there too!
LEDS are the future, but not yet cost efficient.
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