Be sure to place each CFL bulb in a ziploc bag so they do not break in transit. Recycling fluorescent bulbs contains the mercury gas and (bonus) most of the components of the bulbs are recycled. Below are some local programs to recycle your bulbs, most of which are free. Overall, using fluorescent bulbs reduces mercury in the environment through the energy savings. Damage to the environment: As the phosphor contains a large amount of Hg during the process of filling the fluorescent tube, the main source of its hazard is the Hg vapor emitted. AS the source says: Most mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. Then only about 10 of the mercury is released when a bulb breaks (the rest is adsorbed onto the surfaces in the bulb and will go away with the broken glass). The Good (again): We couldn’t leave you hanging on that negative note! We may not be able to do much about naturally occurring mercury but there is light at the end of the tunnel for our bulbs. Fluorescent tubes contain heavy metals such as mercury and phosphors, which can cause harm to the environment and humans. First many CFLs have a lot less than 4mg of mercury. Most of us are aware that we should not eat too much tuna or swordfish, particularly for pregnant women and children, for fear of mercury poisoning. Mercury can bioaccumulate in organisms such as fish. The Ugly: Mercury contamination is widespread in our environment. This is in part due to natural occurrences but also legacy mining and energy production. When the bulbs break, the mercury gas is released. Burnt-out bulbs should not be disposed of in the trash. Most bulbs break when thrown out, whether in the bin at home, in the truck, or at the landfill. During the recycling process, lamps are crushed, releasing mercury vapor and mercury-containing dusts. There are some basic safety steps to follow if one is broken. Fluorescent lamps are composed of a phosphor-coated glass tube containing mercury vapor and argon. This means bulbs should be handled properly to avoid breakage. So long as bulbs stay intact, the mercury gas is no threat. The Bad: Fluorescent tubes & CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury gas (about 4 mg) – which is toxic to our nervous system, lungs and kidneys. Saving energy saves money and conserves resources (ie fossil fuels) and reduces pollution. They are 75% more efficient than a regular incandescent bulb and they last longer. The Good: Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs save energy. Fluorescent bulbs exist in a variety of shapes and sizes.
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