CFLs and Mercury

By: Michele Kadison

Several months ago I wrote about the bright future of Compact Florescent Lights and their positive effect on the environment.  As I research further, I find that though they are excellent alternatives to the common light bulb in terms of saving energy and money, they also pose an environmental threat due to their mercury content.

According to the Federal Government, by replacing only one light bulb in every home with an Energy Star approved compact florescent light, the United States would save enough energy to illuminate more than 2.5 million homes for one year.  By doing so, we would also prevent greenhouse gasses equaling the effect of 800,000 vehicles on the road. This is an extremely persuasive argument for buying CFLs, but with the lack of adequate advisories on how to properly recycle the bulbs, we could potentially be facing another serious problem in our walk towards finding Earth-friendly solutions.

Every CFL bulb contains four to five milligrams of mercury, which is a known neurotoxin, especially dangerous to fetuses, small children, and pets, let alone the environment.  If a bulb breaks in a landfill, which is likely to happen when it is thrown into a dumpster, the mercury then leaks into the ground where it will ultimately seep into groundwater and then our waterways, affecting aquatic life forms and eventually us. Refuse workers who are exposed to high levels of mercury will also suffer, especially as more CFLs are being used and thrown away by the population. According to John Skinner, the Executive Director of the Solid Waste Association of North America, a trade group that handles trash management, when any mercury-filled item breaks it will contaminate the soil.

Recycling Solutions
According to spokespeople at General Electric, as CFL sales increase, there is more of a mercury risk and an overal national recycling protocol needs to be addressed. GE offers a recycling solution  in conjunction with the National Electrical Manufactures Association. Other retailers, such as Wal-Mart, need to become more aggressive about offering responsible disposal solutions to consumers. According to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, there is not enough being done regarding CFL recycling due to a lack of infrastructure that can handle disposal.

In California it is illegal to place CFLs in the regular solid waste trash. Californians must check with the SDG&E guidelines or with their local waste management agency to learn what to do about recycling the bulbs in their area. When disposing of CFLs, they  must be wrapped in a sealed plastic bag to reduce the risk of breakage and contamination, as well as to protect handlers from cutting themselves on the shards if the bulbs do break.

Where to Use CFLs
If a bulb breaks in the home or office, its toxicity immediately permeates the room and if not properly handled, will seep into the rest of your home. Making sure that CFL bulbs are placed in lamps that are not likely to turn over, meaning table lamps with cords that can be stumbled upon for example, is essential. Putting them in overhead sockets is the best way to assure that a bulb will not be broken. As you put in your CFL bulb, cover the floor with a drop cloth so that if the bulb accidentally drops, you can immediately and more easily clean up the debris.

When a CFL Breaks
If a CFL bulb breaks in your home or office, immediately turn off central heating or air-conditioning, make sure people and pets evacuate the room, and leave a window open for at least a half an hour. Before you clean up the area, put on protective clothing such as coveralls, gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses.

Scoop up the glass and powder using a stiff board or paper and place the materials in a jar with a metal lid, like those used for canning. You can also put the toxic materials in a plastic bag that you then seal carefully.  Pick up the small particles of glass and powder with sticky duct tape. Then wipe the area clean with damp paper toweling that again, you dispose of in a glass jar or sealed bag.

Vaccuming CFL Debris
Never vacuum up a broken CFL bulb as this will spread the mercury throughout the area as it mixes with dust. It will also contaminate your vacuum cleaner. If you absolutely must use a vacuum cleaner, as may be the case if a bulb breaks over a carpet or rug, only vacuum the area where the bulb was broken after you pick up the fragments. Then remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe the canister, making sure to place the bag or debris in a sealed plastic bag. Immediately place the jar or bags outside the building. Once you are inside, wash your hands thoroughly and then check with your municipal organization regarding disposal.

For information on disposal in San Diego:
http://www.sdge.com/residential/lightingCFLdispInfo.shtml

For information on recycling CFLs in your area:
http://www.lamprecycle.org/

For information on mercury spills:
http://www.epa.gov/hg/spills/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7431198

Additional information:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/index.htm

Look for my article on LED lighting, a mercury-free alternative that is as environmentally as using CFLs.