What you should know...                                                                                         

In light (no pun intended) of the Vice Presidential debate last night and the focus of Sarah Palin on the energy crisis, I wanted to pass this along to you.

It really doesn't take much effort to save considerable energy.  I do what I can to be "green" and urge you to do the same.

We've all heard that using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) is one very simple thing we can do to have a big impact on the amount of energy we use (see one of my previous blogs).  But I did want to share with you some other facts about them-specifically how to dispose of them once they have burned out or if they happen to break.

Most CFL's contain some elemental mercury.  It is a necessary component of energy efficient light bulbs, allwoing them to use up to 70% less energy and last nearly 10 times longer than regular bulbs.  NO mercury is released as long as the bulbs remain in tact-exposure is only possible when one has been broken (the same as the old fever thermometers which contained 500 milligrams of mercury compared to the CFL's which contain anywhere from 3.5 to 15 milligrams...so considerably less).

Here are some precautions in deposing of the bulbs:        

Disposing of Burned Out Bulbs

Simply throwing your old bulbs in the garbage will result in breakage and the release of mercury into the environment.  Although most states do not have recycling requirements for CFL's, the EPA strongly encourages the recycling of all mercury-containing bulbs when they burn out.  Almost all parts of the CFL bulbs can be recycled.  To locate a hazardous waste collection and recycling center in your area visit the EPA's bulb recycling page or www.earth911.org.  Your local electric company may also have recycling information on their website.

Cleaning Up Broken Bulbs

In addition to the steps below, which are recommended by the EPA, it is recommended that you first put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves.

Before Clean-Up: Air out the room

1. Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk thru the breakage area.  2. Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.  3.  Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system.

Clean Up for Hard Surfaces

1. Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid, or a sealable plastic bag. 2. Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. 3. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes.  Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag. 4. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.  If you must vacuum because it was broken on a rug or carpet, dispose of the vacuum bag after usage.

Disposal of Clean Up Material

1. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pick up. 2. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plactic bags containing clean up materials. 3. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. 

Somethings as easy as replacing your light bulbs can make a significant difference in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by power plants, not to mention the savings you'll see on your electric bill.  Just make sure you're taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety, as well as the environments.