Energy Saving Lightbulbs Contain Mercury!

So while they may be saving the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and do help to slow down global warming they can potentially poison our water supply and environment.

I have never seen a warning on the box of one of these bulbs though I cannot guarantee it isn't there (when was the last time you read the outside of a light bulb carton?)

And yes it does make sense to use them, 9 million bulbs can save 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide being dumped into the atmosphere BUT there are no guidelines for disposal or any protocols in place to deal them once they have reached the end of their 10,000 hour lives.

Five milligrams of mercury, a neurotoxin than can cause kidney and brain damage, which is barely enough to cover a pen tip, can contaminate 6000 gallons of water and even the bulbs that are claiming low mercury, have enough in them to poison 1000 gallons, and that's just one bulb!

What is going to happen, say, in 10 years time when billions of these things have been dumped in landfill sites?

We can't know but can expect, as usual, the authorities to drag their feet and only act when a catastrophe has occurred.

I've heard of a woman in America who smashed one of these bulbs and when she called a local government agency for advice was referred to a private clean up company that wanted to charge her $2000 to contain the mercury and dispose of it!

So for anyone who should have such an experience here are the current guidelines for cleaning up a broken energy saving light bulb.

Before cleanup: Vent the room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Cleanup steps for hard surfaces
3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of cleanup materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.

Future cleaning of carpeting or rug
10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.