PROPAGANDA ON FLUORESCENT BULBS

[mobes]

What's In All Those CFL Bulbs?
Tuesday April 29, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff

They're lighting the way to your future and after 2012, they're all you'll be able to buy in Ontario. CFL bulbs, short for Compact Fluorescent Light, will soon replace the old incandescent globes that have been burning in most homes since Thomas Edison perfected the electric light bulb more than a hundred years ago.

Moms like Patti Ryan are thinking about switching to the energy-savers.

"(My child's) seven months (old) and so I think that sort of made us a little more conscious about what's in our environment," she said.

The new lights are energy efficient, using far less power than their counterparts. And they last a lot longer, in most cases years longer, than the other style. But while they're green and bright, are they also safe and right?

Those concerns are being raised by an increasing number of voices who worry about what's in them.

CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury, a toxic substance that can do serious harm to the human nervous system. The amount is small, and normally, it's not a problem, provided they're disposed of properly. At least that's the theory.

But that disposal can be costly, as one woman in the United States found out when she was charged $2,000 for a cleanup after she shattered one of the bulbs in her daughter's bedroom.

And a story from http://www.naturalnews.com cited a research study in which 65 CFL bulbs were broken and the levels of mercury found were as much as 100 times higher than federal guidelines for chronic exposure.

CityNews decided to do its own test to see the potential dangers, so Kris Reyes took two bags full of CFLs to Cambridge Material Testing in Mississauga.

Workers there then tested the contamination with a special tool. The Ministry of Labour limit for airborne mercury is 25 mg per cubic metre.

"Nobody wants a toxic element that can affect your central nervous system," says chemist Peter Mladnovich.

In the follow-up to this story on Wednesday, we'll share the results of the experiment, explain everything you need to know about how to clean up the mess of a shattered bulb and how to make sure they end up in the right place when it's time to dispose of them.

CFL Primer

Despite the small dangers of using the bulbs, most energy experts feel the substantial advantages far outweigh any problems you might have.

They save energy

There's no dispute that using the new bulbs keep you from wasting wattage. CFLs use only a quarter of the energy of ordinary bulbs. A 15 watt CFL is equivalent to the old 60 watt incandescent kind. And it only takes about 20 watts to provide the same kind of light a 100 watt bulb needs to shine.

They're more expensive but...

Yes, they cost a significant amount more than a regular light bulb. But you make up for it in replacement costs. The kind Thomas Edison created last only for a specified number of hours before they blow. CFLs will glow 5-10 years before burning out.

Not turning them on and off as often will extend their lifespan. If you're going to be out of a room for more than 15-20 minutes, turn them off. If not, leave them on.

How much do I really save?

The feds estimate the average Canuck household has around 30 lamps and light fixtures that cost about $200 a year to keep lit. Putting in just five CFL bulbs in areas where the lights are used a lot can save up to $30 annually.

Check the package

Everything you need to know about the bulbs - including whether they can be used outdoors, in timers or dimmers and how much light they actually provide - is supposed to be written on the package. Check it carefully, because there are several different kinds that are made for different situations.

What about the mercury?

Some people worry about the bulbs because they contain a small amount of mercury, a dangerous substance. But the government notes the amount is so miniscule it's only a fifth of that found in the average watch battery, and less than 1/100th of what's in one of those old dental fillings.

They estimate that it would take 100-400 CFLs to equal the same amount of mercury that's in your average thermometer.

Are there any disadvantages?

Yes. They cost more to buy.

They can pose a fire hazard if the wrong bulb is used in the wrong place.

They don't like power surges, so if your area is prone to electrical anomalies, you may not want to use them.

And because of their mercury content, they should only be thrown out at a proper waste disposal site, an inconvenient stop for most.

Source: Natural Resources Canada
 
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22160.aspx

(PLAY THE NEWSCAST VIDEO ON THE SITE AND LISTEN TO THE PROPAGANDA THEY PUT OUT)