compact florescent bulbs and mercury

My friend told me this morning that this was on Oprah (yesterday? Monday? not sure) - compact florescent light bulbs contain mercury. Granted it's a very small amount, but still..I think I'll just use mine for ceiling lights and not lamp lights in case for some reason a lamp gets knocked over. For cleanup in case one breaks - you have to vacate the room, open up a window or 2 for at least 15 mins and also turn off any forced heating or AC. That part freaks me out.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Message edited 4/23/2008 10:12:54 AM.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Honestly, how often do light bulbs break? I'd rather take the chance, kwim?

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Actually, I'd rather not take the chance. I have a 20 month old son. He doesn't go around making our lamps crash (yet) but I also don't want him around anything containing mercury that could pose a hazard.
However if you don't have kids, then yeah it's not that bad of a hazard.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

It's good to be aware of it, but I'm not sure that it's necessarily something to get too excited about. They contain 1% of the amount of mercury a glass termometer contains...

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

In all honesty, its such a small amount. But taking precautions is an excellent idea. We work with larger companies and they can get fined huge amounts if they don't reccyle them properly. They are referred to as Universal Waste and must be properly stored while collecting them, and shipped off-site and disposed of properly.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

They do have a small amount of mercury. Honestly it's a small risk but I agree that since you have a small child maybe hold off on changing the table lamps to CFLs just yet. If you're changing some bulbs it's better than nothing.

I haven't had to think about recycling any of my bulbs yet, but I know they probably shouldn't go in the landfill. I think if there are safe and relatively easy ways to recycle the bulbs it will be even better.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Message edited 11/18/2011 3:51:14 PM.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Thanks Kevin - I didn't think to check the packaging.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

I am not really concerned with them breaking, the benefits outweigh the risks in that area.

What I am concerned with is all of the spent bulbs with the albeit small amount of mercury ending up in our landfills and seeping into the ground.

There are ways to recycle them but I am sure some if not most will just get tossed.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

I've got two "spent" bulbs that I have waiting around. There are ways to recycle them, but none are very convenient, that I am aware of. One is our STOP program, for hazardous waste, but it's only one day every few months or so. I wish there was a spot at a store or something where I could just drop them off at my convenience.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

All Ikeas and some Ace hardware stores will recycle CFLs.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Message edited 4/23/2008 2:47:21 PM.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Wow, I really had no idea they contained mercury. Certainly it seems like a very small amount but nonetheless, recycling them is certainly a concern.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

Message edited 11/18/2011 3:51:49 PM.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

See my dad told me that if you drop a box of them on accident it is considered a haz mat situation I don't know if this true. ?

Message edited 4/23/2008 4:45:28 PM.

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

It's not that bad... truly....

think of all the old mercury thermometers that were around..... they have MUCH more than even a dozen of these bulbs...

standard disposable batteries pose a worse landfill risk IMO.....

Re: compact florescent bulbs and mercury

I work for a company that manufactures medical supplies, including mercurial blood pressure units. We also used to sell glass thermometers but have phased them out and gone digital. I just wanted to share some information that we include with our mercury products regarding spills that might help.

Is Elemental Mercury dangerous?
Yes, it can be. Once vaporized, the lungs readily absorb elemental mercury from inhaled air. High level acute doses and lower level chrronic doses are both causes for concern. If accidentally ingested (esp for those of you with small children) very small amounts of elemental mercury will NOT be absorbed by the digestive system and will be excreted. Some forms of mercury compounds are highly toxic and particularly dangerous. These should NOT be confused with elemental mercury. However, because there is so little actual mercury in a CFL bulb the exposure to a spill, if properly and promptly contained, will generally pose little if any health risk.

What should I do in the event of a spill?
First, isolate the area to prevent further contamination or spread of the spilled liquid. Spilled mercury should be picked up at once since the mercury will vaporize rapidly and may contaminate the surrounding air. DO NOT dry sweep or use ordinary vacuum cleaners on floors exposed to mercury spills since this may produce additional hazardous vapors.
In the unlikely event of a spill, it will most likely involve VERY small amounts of just a few drops of spilled mercury. These smaller amounts may be picked up with mercury absorbent sponges or gently swept into a collection container using a soft bristled DISPOSABLE brush. Remember to dispose of the brush after use.
Carpet, crevices, and other difficult to clean areas may be cleaned using a mercury absorbent powder that reacts with mercury to form a harmless amalgam. The sponges and powder are available through laboratory and safety supply companies.
Waste mercury should be placed in a tighly covered container and disposed of in accordance with state and local environmental regulations. DO NOT incinerate mercury or mercury compounds or dispose of down the drain. PLEASE NOTE: Liquid mercury combines with many soft metals. Jewelry should be removed prior to the cleaning of any mercury spills. We also recommend the wearing of disposable gloves and protective eyewear.

A mercury spill can be cleaned up fairly easily. It rolls into one large bead. It can be cleaned up with any commercially available mercury spill kit specifically designed for this job. When spilled on a hard surface a simple soft bristlted brush or a 3cc syringe may even be used to collect very small amounts of mercury quickly and safely. Elemental mercury is a non-wetting liquid, it doesn't absorb into rugs or fabrics.

What should I do in the event of accidental eye contact with mercury?
Symptoms of eye exposure can induce redness, pain, and watery eyes. If mercury contaminates the eyes, open the eyelid(s) while under gently running water for a minimum of 15 minutes, using sufficient force to keep them open. Have the contaminated individual "roll" their eyes and seek immediate medical attention.

As for the amount of mercury used in CFLs, I found this article helpful.

And HAZMAT is only if it's 1 pound or more.