Danger in CFL lightbulbs

Last year, the US Congress passed an energy bill banning the incandescent lightbulb by the year 2014. That’s because the incandescent bulb, the one Thomas Edison helped perfect in the 1800s, has been superseded by the compact fluorescent light (CFL) and LEDs because of their benefits to the environment.

But could the CFL really be too good to be true? Less than a month after the US energy bill was passed, research in Britain led to the UK Environment Agency issuing guidelines about CFLs. They are calling for evacuation of any room where an energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulb is broken, due to the release of toxic mercury.

According to environmental impact studies, CFLs stand to save at least five million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. They also are more cost-effective in the long run: CFLs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs up front, but through longer burn times and less energy usage, they save home and business owners money.

But each CFL contains six to eight milligrams of toxic mercury. Broken bulbs, where mercury could be released into a home, and even improper disposal of the bulbs present separate environmental problems.

If a CFL bulb is broken, these suggestions are offered:

• Vacate the room for at least 15 minutes.

• The debris should be removed with rubber gloves. Do not use a vacuum, which could push toxic dust into the air.

• Put all broken glass and debris into a sealed bag and bring to a recycling center for proper disposal.

Other impacts of CFLs

In a side note, mercury poisoning is not the only health implication from CFLs.

Early studies indicate that people suffering from certain skin ailments, such as eczema and psoriasis, could experience flare-ups.

There has been a link to CFLs and migraine headaches.

Anyone suspecting that their bulbs are causing health problems should see a doctor.