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Green but Toxic: CFL Bulbs

By: Monique Peterson (View Profile)

CFLs, Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs—they’re green and good for the planet. Sure CFL bulbs last ten times longer and use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, but are they safe? Each bulb contains on average five milligrams of mercury, which is dangerously toxic. A typical mercury thermometer contains 500 milligrams of mercury—enough to contaminate a twenty-acre body of water and render all its fish toxic to humans.

Mercury contamination is no joke. Are these new bulbs really better for us to use?

11.12.2007 Report
I did some research into this because I was concerned. The most reputable green advocates are pretty clear that the benefits of using CFLs outweigh the risks.
11.08.2007 Report
It's a cost benefit analysis. Regular light bulbs probably ultimately add more mercury to the environment because they use more energy, energy that is created by mercury spewing power plants. It seems that CFL's are better for the environment, especially if we dispose of them properly and not in the normal trash. It would be cool if big stores like WalMart and Home Depot had places where people could drop off used CFL's. Right now it's up to people to take them to a hazardous waste drop-off.
11.08.2007 Report
Agreed, Amanda. Every time we discover something good, it seems like we find out three bad things about it too. I had no idea - thanks for sharing this with us.
11.08.2007 Report
Wow...I'm totally looking into this. Thanks for the tip. Why is it that one new product is never the true fix to the other? It seems like there is always something bad to balance out its good qualities.
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