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CFLs....The Newest Environmental Hazard?

By Mike Hogan

Real Estate Agent with The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty

December 11, 2009 01:14 PM

CFLs...The Newest Environmental Hazard?

Say it ain't so Joe...can the simple symbol of the Green movement really be an environmental hazard? In a word...yes. But is it really something to be concerned about?

The bulbs contain a small amount of Mercury- a proven neurotoxin. And since we really have yet to come up with a safe and effective way of recycling them- they simply get tossed in the trash. Most of them actually break before they make it to the landfill which causes all sorts of potential health issues. First and foremost- if it breaks near your home- the mercury can contaminate the soil near your home. Since Mercury is most dangerous for children and unborn babies- having it open near your home is scary. Refuse workers are also at danger for exposure to the broken CFLs(Compact Florescent Lightbulb).

So clearly the danger is there...but is it worth it? Many people have touted the benefits of LED lights longevity and safety over CFLs. So what makes more sense for those of us interested in conserving energy and lowering our environmental impact? In my next post I’ll compare the three basic types of bulbs…incandescent, CFLs and LEDs.

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Michelle Viggiano

Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning - Scottsdale, AZ

healthyhomeaz

Thank you for the post. I use these bulbs but there is a lot of new information coming out about these bulbs, especially from Enlgand. This bulb is contraindicated for quite a few people with health issues. Epileptics, indiviudals with certain skin diseases including rosacia, actually it is quite a list. If the bulb breaks it is advised, by many experts that you must leave the area for 15 minutes. I used to have one near the bed, but removed it due to many recorded instances of a sunburn like reddening of the skin. In all cases it is suggested that you stay away 12" or approximately 1 foot away from any uncovered bulb. Let's hope in the end the negatives don't outweight the positives. Thanks again for an important post.

Oct 18, 2008 02:29 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Is there any way to make sure these bulbs can be disposed of in a safe manner? It seems there are always pluses and minuses. Looking forward to your next post.

Oct 19, 2008 02:23 AM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

Joan- your question gave me a great idea for my follow-up post...check it out here.

Oct 19, 2008 02:56 AM

Pam Dent

Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA

REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

Mike - There are so many things to be considered. It looks like these bulbs are the best if everything goes well. If they break it is much more complicated. I know when I first saw them in the stores I didn't even know about the risks. If one had broken I wouldn't even have know enough to be careful.

Oct 29, 2008 02:37 PM

Chris Smith

Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON

South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Mike, I have heard of this before...yes, if they break, there can be issues with proper clean-up. Like all things, if people have all the information, they can make up their own minds.

Dec 11, 2009 01:29 PM

Dr. Blaine "Doc" Ellingson

Sotheby's International Realty - Stuart, FL

CLHMS, CIPS, CIIIS, TRC

Great piece Mike,

Maybe the next thing we will find out is that all the data from the Global Warming Experts in the UK was "not kept" ,because it did not support the phony pseudo science of Global Warming, the WORLDS GREATEST PONZI SCHEME!

Dec 11, 2009 04:24 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

I do not like these new bulbs -- it takes too long for them to come on when turned on --

Dec 11, 2009 05:47 PM

Rita Minion

O'Brien Realty - Solomons, MD

Hello Mike,

Thank you for the information! My husband started buying these bulbs about a year ago. I agree with Bob & Carolin - when you turn the light switch on, the bulb takes a good while to fire up! I don't like the lighting they produce and it seems that it takes forever to get decent lighting. My husband on the other hand does not mind - he likes the cost savings. Again, thanks for the article, I appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

Rita

Dec 19, 2009 03:35 AM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

Some bulbs do take a little while to warm up...no doubt about it. For some reason- my recessed lights seem to take 30 secs or so. All my other CFLs seem to light up just fine. Im willing to deal with it for the savings. Remember- youre not only saving in energy usage- but in the summer time...all those incandescent lights create a crazy amount of heat- making your air conditioner works extra hard.

Hopefully soon enough LEDs will be cheap enough to make them as economical as CFLs.

Dec 19, 2009 10:52 AM

Terrylynn Fisher

Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA

HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Waiting for the next post Mike because isn't it true that the mercury is less than the regular bulbs so a CFL is saving energy and lessening the effects of the mercury? I hate to discourage using CFL's...but LED's are coming. The local recycling centers also have recycling programs for the CFL's. How to get people to use them.

Dec 30, 2009 12:22 PM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

Terrylynn- Actually- incandescents do not contain mercury at all. But the power plants do emit mercury when creating the energy to run the bulbs. When creating the energy it takes to run one CFL, a power plant emits about 2.4 mg of mercury compared to about 10mg of mercury for a "regular" bulb. A CFL bulb contains about 5mg of mercury...compare that to about 25mg in a watch battery.

I agree- LED's are coming and they cant get here fast enough.

Home Depot and Lowes also have recylcing programs for CFLs...

Dec 30, 2009 12:42 PM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

Terrylynn....btw...here's the followup post.

Dec 30, 2009 02:02 PM