| The movement to change from our tried and true | | | | amount of Mercury in each bulb is very small, |
| "normal" incandescent light bulbs to the newer more | | | | weighing in at around 5 milligrams, and your homes' |
| efficient form of compact fluorescent light bulbs is in | | | | thermostat probably contains many hundreds of |
| full swing. There is a rallying cry out there that if we | | | | times more Mercury than a CFL. Even so this |
| (we as in all the people on the planet) can make the | | | | presents two points that we've got to think about. |
| move to the new style of blub it would represent a | | | | The first is that, as mentioned before, Mercury is |
| massive savings in overall energy use. | | | | toxic to humans. The very elderly, small children and |
| The numbers are compelling to be sure. According to | | | | women that are pregnant are most sensitive to |
| the U.S. Department of Energy the Compact | | | | Mercury poisoning. It appears that everyone agrees |
| Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) can last ten times longer, | | | | that CFLs do not produce, leak or emit Mercury |
| use 75% less electricity and produce 90% less heat | | | | during their normal operation. The concern is we all |
| than the standard light bulbs (known as incandescent | | | | know that light bulbs break. What happens when you |
| lamps). So, in general, using CFL's will reduce the | | | | break a CFL? What is the possible harm done to |
| amount of waste in our landfills and reduce the | | | | humans when exposed to a broken CFL? |
| amount of energy we need to produce which may | | | | The second point dovetails into the first with the |
| help with Global Warming. There has been a great | | | | question of how do we dispose of these things? |
| deal of advancement recently with companies now | | | | According to the website of General Electric, a well |
| offering different types of CFL's that are "dimmable," | | | | known manufacturer of CFL's, these bulbs are |
| bulbs that are "three way" and even CFL Flood | | | | considered "hazardous household items" akin to |
| Lights. This all sounds pretty good! | | | | batteries, thermostats and paint. It is recommended |
| Now let's look at the other side of the coin. CFLs are, | | | | that these bulbs be placed in a plastic bag for disposal |
| at least at this point in time, far more expensive to | | | | and not to be sent to a waste disposal facility that |
| purchase. For a normal use bulb the cost for a CFL is | | | | uses an incinerator. Hmmm. |
| going to be between $4 and $6 each which is many | | | | There is no question that we as a people have to |
| times the cost of an incandescent bulb. Of course | | | | drastically change our energy consumption habits for |
| we can expect this cost to come down in time and | | | | the good of all but is this the best way to go? I am |
| even now the cost per unit is less when you buy in | | | | neither a scientist nor an expert in hazardous waste |
| bulk. So the initial investment is much higher yet over | | | | disposal but these blubs give me reason to pause. |
| the life of the CFL, again according to the U.S. | | | | The dramatically lower energy use and the long life |
| Department of Energy, you can expect to save $50 | | | | span of the bulbs sounds great. My concern is we |
| or $60 per bulb. The other main drawback to these | | | | are going to be pushing yet another problem onto |
| bulbs is the presence of Mercury which is toxic to | | | | future generations with landfills full of these toxic |
| humans. The use of Mercury is critical for the | | | | bulbs. I look forward to seeing where this technology |
| operation of this generation of CFLs and a suitable, | | | | goes in the upcoming years and hope for the best! |
| less toxic, replacement has yet to be found. The | | | | |