CFL Bulbs Are The Funny-Looking Spiral Bulbs Advertising Long Life and Big Energy Savings

The letter in Wednesday's Press said certain light bulbs risk "los(ing) a child or beloved pet to inevitable serious harm." The writer then asked several questions; I'll attempt to answer them from research reported in Scientific American, The U. K. Telegraph, the Pediatrics Journal, and Epa.gov. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are the funny-looking spiral bulbs advertising long life and big energy savings. At least they were funny looking; manufacturers have a new design, making them look more like normal bulbs and adding a layer of protection. Why protection? As the letter-writer and other concerned people point out they do contain mercury (a.k.a. quicksilver), although it's very little and below the toxicity level specified by the EPA. Old-style thermostat switches still in many homes contain 600 times the level of a CFL bulb. CFL bulbs also vastly reduce the energy required to light a home, much of which is otherwise produced using coal - the source of half of all mercury emissions from man-made sources. Coal production releases much more mercury into the atmosphere. Mercury poisoning is serious business, but it takes more than the four milligrams in a CFL bulb. Compare that amount to old-style thermometers containing 500 mg, toxic to children. That's why they're no longer made. The bulbs are less easily broken than traditional bulbs, but yes, they can release a vapor that may also settle in carpets. Why the scare? About 20 years ago an entire carton of eight-foot fluorescent lights fell and broke in a play area, causing a bad rash and weight loss in one toddler. That's not to say that one broken bulb should be ignored; caution, but not panic, is warranted. What to do if a bulb breaks: 1. Open a window and step outside for 15 minutes - pets and people. 2. Wearing dish gloves, use cardboard to scoop the big pieces into a sealable plastic bag or - better - a glass jar with a secure lid. 3. Use duct tape or wet paper towels to press/get the smaller bits into the bag or jar. Wipe it down again with more wet towels. When finished, remove the gloves and dispose of them outside with the remnants. 4. Do not vacuum (it can spread the mercury elsewhere) and do not touch the metal bits barehanded. To be thorough there is some recent, unverified European research suggesting these bulbs should not be used for protracted periods close to the head (e.g., night reading lights), because long-term exposure may be more dangerous and possibly discourage the body's natural production of melatonin. Other research suggests a possible link to close proximity and migraines. Neither claim has yet been verified nor the research duplicated. It wasn't long ago that microwaves and cell phones were feared to cause cancer, yet we use them daily. Many modern conveniences come with some risk; awareness and avoiding extreme exposures tend to keep things in balance. Source: CDAPress.com