Tips For Healthy Living

As you may know, there is a move in several countries to ban the sale of incandescent bulbs in favour of the new compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).

These CFLs use less energy than the old incandescent bulbs and, the heavy infrared light produced by the incandescent bulbs is not particularly healthy BUT I have a big problem with the CFLs – they contain mercury!  Actually, all fluorescent bulbs do, not just the CFLs.

Mercury is a known toxin that can cause serious neurological damage.

Here is a quote from a report by the National Institute of Health on the effects of Mercury:

Quote – “Exposures to very small amounts of these compounds can result in devastating neurological damage and death. For fetuses, infants and children, the primary health effects of mercury are on neurological development. Even low levels of mercury exposure such as result from mother’s consumption methylmercury in dietary sources can adversely affect the brain and nervous system. Impacts on memory, attention, language and other skills have been found in children exposed to moderate levels in the womb.”

Now, there are claims that the CFL bulbs contain so little mercury that you don’t really have to be concerned.

Here is a quote from the GE Site

“What should I do if a CFL breaks?

Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break and it’s cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:

Sweep up—don’t vacuum—all of the glass fragments and fine particles.

Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well.

If weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate.”

Well, that doesn’t sound too bad, although any mercury that is not vapourized ends up in the landfill if you follow the above procedure.

On the other hand, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that when these CFLs break you should clean them up as follows:

How should I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?

EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

Before Clean-up: Vent the Room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragmentsand powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Vent the Room During and After Vacuuming
10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.”

I don’t know about you, but the EPA instructions don’t make me think “that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family” when a bulb breaks.

LED lights are looking better and better – hopefully they will come down in price a bit.

I leave it to you to make the decision that makes the most sense for your circumstances.

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