CFL mercury-recycling

Today I saw an article in the Rocky Mountain News about CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lighting). I want to share with you the importance about the energy efficiency and recycling of these bulbs. I'm sure most of you by now have heard about the CFL, it's an energy efficient bulb replacing the normal incandescent bulb. They last much longer and they cut your electric use. Make sure when you buy the bulbs it has the energy star label on the packet, if not, you might end up buying one of those fake, "green washing bulbs", which there are tons of out in the market.

Now, the bad part with the CFL is that they contain mercury; a neurotoxin, thought to have the biggest impact on the developing brains of fetuses, infants and young children through sustained exposure. "CFL each contain roughly 5 mg of mercury, which is tiny in relation to the amount in a glass thermometer. Although, by comparison, about 50 tons of mercury are spewed into the air each year by the nations coal fired power plants" (RMN).

CFL are totally harmless if used properly and recycled. Mercury has been around for ages and it's not a new source. I have mercury in my teeth. Years ago, in Sweden and in the US, they used amalgam fillings containing mercury. Once I moved here to the US I wanted to replace them with porcelain, the dentist recommended me keeping them due to being exposed with these fillings all my life, and it could cause side effects like headaches, and other issues if I removed them. Now I don't dare remove them, and I'm, so far, still healthy. Check those website published by the government and American Dental Association:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html
http://www.ada.org/public/media/releases/0207_release01.asp
http://www.health.gov/environment/amalgam1/policies.htm


Now to the recycling of the bulbs. As for now there is no main recycling network in the nation, although there are more and more companies offering recycling programs. Swedish IKEA collects the bulbs in all their stores, and Osram Sylvania offers a mail-in program (I guess you need to pack them thoroughly so they don't break in the mail). Some communities are offering drop-off events, but its scarce.

EPA and state government have written guidelines for how to clean up the mercury from a broken bulb.
"In general, the area should be vented by opening windows to reduce concentrations of mercury in the air. The mercury should be scooped up carefully, using cardboard or paper, or picked up using tape or a sticky material. The glass and mercury powder should be sealed in a glass jar or plastic bags. For the EPA's full guideline go to: epa/gov/mercury/spills/index.htm. Some states have made it illegal to throw CFLs in the garbage. Other states advice sealing a burned-out or broken CFL in two plastic bags if you are going to dispose it in the regular trash " (RMN).

Today's tip: Still purchase the CFL, but try to find out where you can recycle them when burnt out. For example, your district recycling company. also check out "Earth911.org"