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New guidelines for CFL cleanup
Still using inefficient bulbs because you fear the mercury in CFL bulbs? The EPA's new guidelines could help you conquer your fears in 2011.
Thu, Dec 30 2010 at 5:42 PM
lightbulbs

ENERGY SAVER: Let there be energy-efficient light. (Photo: Robert S. Donovan/Flickr)

Still haven’t swapped out your old, inefficient lightbulbs for CFL bulbs? Then I bet your 2010 electricity bills were a lot higher than mine. But if you’ve resigned yourself to the higher bills because CFLs have mercury in them — even though the mercury in those bulbs are still a lot less than the mercury put into the atmosphere by the coal burned to light inefficient incandescent bulbs — you likely fear that your bulb will break, exposing your home to mercury.
 
Perhaps a new CFL bulb cleanup guide from the EPA will assuage your fears. The EPA had simple cleanup instructions for cleaning up broken CFL bulbs before — basically pick up the pieces then vacuum the area — but now, the agency’s providing very detailed directions. We’re talking three pages of instructions — available as a web page or PDF — with separate guidelines for hard surfaces versus carpets and rugs.
 
And in case you want to tote around these instructions with you in case of bulb emergencies away from home, you can print them out in an attractive, double-sided tri-fold brochure! (PDF)
 
Of course, the easiest way to clean up a CFL bulb is to — not break the bulb in the first place! And EPA’s got tips to help you keep your CFL bulb intact — mostly by not doing dumb things like trying to unscrew the bulb when it’s too hot to handle.
 
Still concerned about bulb breakage — but really don’t want to pay those high electric bills in 2011? There are always LED bulbs. Yes, they’re expensive — but they don’t pose mercury problems and will last you a quarter century.
 

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

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Comments: 2
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anonymous
Brad Buscher Jan 12 2011 at 11:19 AM
CFLs do save energy and are considered more environmentally friendly than other bulbs, but they also contain small amounts of mercury. As this blog post shows, it is important for consumers to realize that CFLs and fluorescent bulbs require special handling. Like all mercury-containing fluorescent lights, CFLs should be properly stored, transported and recycled to prevent these fragile bulbs from breaking and emitting hazardous mercury vapor. They cannot be thrown away in the trash, but should be
.... More
taken to a recycling center or disposed of by using a proven recycling box. However, taking them to a recycling center may not always be the most efficient solution. Consumers can use a recycling box to ship bulbs instead. If consumers choose this option, it is important to select a packaging configuration that effectively contains mercury vapor. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota tested the effectiveness of various packages in containing mercury vapor emitted from broken fluorescent lamps. The study found that many packages do not sufficiently contain mercury vapor, such as single-layer cardboard boxes (representing the original manufacturer’s box or container) as well as single layer boxes with a sealed plastic bag. Just one configuration—consisting of a zip-closure plastic-foil laminate bag layered between two cardboard boxes—minimized exposure levels below acceptable occupational limits, as defined by state and federal regulations and guidelines. Find out more about this proven packaging method at vaporlok.blogspot.com/2010/05/layers-of-protection-packaging-used.html
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anonymous
Curiousgeorge Jan 01 2011 at 6:22 PM

So if I break a bulb (reading your pdf link), I will either freeze my butt off in winter for several hours, or sweat like a pig in the summer. Get a life.

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