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If
you think that the only problem with Compact Fluorescent
Light Bulbs (CFLs) is safe disposal .... we've got
news for you. CFL's can also be a source of health
hazard, toxic fumes and a fire hazard. Ask the Rick
Jenkins family in Maryland who had their house burned
to the ground because they connected a CFL to a dimmer
switch. |
A
rather sobering article in Australia's Investigative
Magazine reveals
information from entities like the US EPA and Main
Department of Environmental Protection as well of
other New Zealand sources on the hazards of CFLs.
Should we be embracing CFLs as the salvation of our
energy crisis or even as eco or human friendly products? |
Government
agencies have been promoting use of CFLs as a means
of advancing energy conservation in countries such
as the US and Australia. They have information that
allows them to know the hazards involved in these
products which they appear to be ignoring.
Looming ahead are laws that will ban incandescent
lighting and force us to chose an alternative. Should
that alternative really be CFLs? |
An Investigate
Magazine article
outlines several problems with CFL bulbs: |
Health
Hazard |
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Mercury
is a neurotoxin and it bioaccumulates.
CFLs
contain an average of 5 mg (range
of 0.9 to 18 mg) of mercury. Breaking
a single CFL bulb in a room can result
in mercury vapor levels 300 times
in excess of what the EPA has established
as safe for prolonged exposure. Serious
health effects are associated with
mercury exposure. Unborn and young
children, elderly and those with
weakened health are particularly
vulnerable. Mercury affects the nervous
system. Neuro-pathways of children
are still developing and exposure
can result in permanent damage. |
This
article will certainly give readers pause the next
time a CFL is dropped and broken in their home. More
than a dust pan and broom will figure into the equation.
Investigate
Magazine warns "The
real cost is not one light bulb breakage, but how
badly affected homes will be after 20 years of
amateur attempts to clean up one of the deadliest
neurotoxins on the planet. A generation of children
crawling on mercury-infested carpets would give
new meaning to the phrase, "dumbed-down". "If
clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact
with broken glass or mercury-containing powder
from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric,
the clothing or bedding should be thrown away," warns
the US EPA." |
Fire
Risk |
Reduced
Life Span |
 CFLs
should not be used in track, recessed or inverted
fixtures and in addition can not be used with a dimmer
switch. Inversion also affects life span of the bulb. |
The
seller claim on life span of a CFL may vary widely.
This can be a factor of manufacturing quality. Ever
wonder why their warranty is so much shorter than
the supposed life span of the bulb? |
Bulb
end-of-life hazards: When CFLs burn out they can
create acrid plastic smoke and carcinogenic fumes.
Those bulbs without an internal fuse will melt or
smoke until power is turned off. 90% of these bulbs
are currently manufactured in China where quality
control is questionable. |
A
recent study shows that the life span of a CFL bulb
can be reduced by as much as 85% under normal use
due to switching on and off. |
When
a CFL bulb is used in an inverted position - bulb
down / screw base up - heat which is generated travels
upward and can fry the electronic components in the
ballast in the base. |
Did
you know? A CFL is nearly six times more expensive
to make in terms of energy consumption..... |
Wasted
Power |
Disposal |
The
power required from the supplier by a CFL is typically
twice what the wattage the bulb states. This "Power
Factor" can negate a great part of the savings at
the grid level. Also, CFLs create an effect known
as "harmonic
distortion" by placing an uneven load on
the electricity grid, setting up harmonic distortions
in the power lines and power stations.
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CFLs
release hazardous amounts of mercury into the air
when they break and thus must be recycled or disposed
of at a proper facility. A recent environmental agency
report estimates the potential cost to recycle one
disposal container (wheelie-bin) of approximately
240 litres or 63.4 US gallons of CFL bulbs at $1,300.
This cost ultimately falls on the taxpayer. |
Purchase
Disposal Kits |
Read
the article from
Investigate
Magazine
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Coming Soon! |
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