Mercury in compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL)
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Overview
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are currently the most efficient light bulbs available to consumers at a reasonable cost. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are a safer and more efficient alternative but have not yet reached popular price points and lighting functionality remains to be integrated into mainstream lighting applications. LEDs are predicted to become available to consumers at a competitive price within the next 5 years. CFLs last about ten times as long as incandescent light bulbs and use about 75% less energy. Businesses and homeowners are using CFLs in order to reduce both the energy bills and the cost associated with frequently replacing incandescent light bulbs. In turn, consumers are reducing the amounts of greenhouse gas emissions by using less energy. Mercury is an essential and necessary component of fluorescent lamps. Even though mercury is a neurotoxin to humans animals and fish, its use in fluorescent lamps outweighs the mercury emissions from power plants when incandescent lamps are used.
Environmental Impact
Mercury is emitted from coal-fired power plants. The US EPA estimates that the United States releases 104 metric tons of mercury a year, with the main source of these emissions coming from coal-fired electrical plants. By using CFLs instead of incandescent light bulbs in our homes and businesses, the US EPA has estimated that 80% less mercury is emitted into the atmosphere in areas that are powered by coal. The drawback from using CFLs is that mercury can be released from a bulb when it breaks. Breakage can occur in a home or business, during transportation to a solid waste facility such as a transfer station, landfill or incinerator, or at one of these types of facilities. All in all, according to the US EPA, the net-reduction of mercury emissions from electrical use would decrease by more than 70% by using CFLs. Currently about half of the power produced in the United States is from coal. In areas that are not using coal to produce energy, the reduction in energy consumption from CFLs is still significantly lowering the levels of energy demand.
Use of CFLs greatly reduces mercury levels emitted in the atmosphere due to decreased energy consumption but some consumers are concerned because of the presence of mercury in CFLs. Intact bulbs do not release mercury but once broken, mercury is emitted into the air and can be absorbed in the bloodstream through the lungs if breathed in. Additional exposure can occur if the mercury spill is not cleaned up properly. The State of Maine conducted a study on mercury emissions from broken CFLs and clean up procedures. Based on results from the study Maine developed clean up guidance for broken CFLs. A recent study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found that mercury can even penetrate cardboard boxes and plastic bags that are used to recycle and dispose of CFLs. The study suggests that mercury vapor-proof bags should be used for disposal of CFLs and recommends that the EPA create stricter legislation for disposal of CFLs and release of mercury vapor.
Best Strategies to Reduce the Health Hazards of Mercury in CFLs
Use of Low Level Mercury CFLs-Newly developed CFLs are being produced that have significantly less Mercury Levels than older CFLs. Philips recently introduced a CFL with 13-25% less mercury levels than most CFLs. Use of low level mercury CFLs will decrease the potential hazards from accidental breakage of the bulbs as well as reduce mercury emission if sent to a landfill and not recycled. California has a state law limiting the amount of mercury in CFLs and linear flourescent lamps. Legislation limiting mercury content has been introduced in other states.
Safe Disposal of Used CFLs-In order to reduce the amount of mercury released from broken CFLs they should be recycled if possible. Some retailers such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware, and Menards offer CFL recycling to their customers. Progressive communities have locations available for people to recycle CFLs. A listing of CFL recycling locations close to you can be found at Earth911. Responsible employers educate their employees how to safely dispose of used CFLs and wise homeowners take the recommended safety precautions listed on the manufacturers packaging to limit exposure to mercury from broken CFLs and reyclce CFLs when possible.
If a CFL breaks within the home, homeowners need to close the doors leading to other areas of the house, open windows in the room, turn off the central heating/air and evacuate the room for a minimum of 15 minutes while the mercury dissipates. Place broken glass into a glass jar with a metal lid while minimizing contact with skin and take to a proper disposal and recycling center. NEVER use a vacuum to clean up mercury because the vacuum will retain the mercury in its internal parts forever and will spread the mercury contamination to other areas of the house. Care should be taken to prevent infants from being in the area where the CFL breakage occurred. Specific instructions on how to clean the breakage area is available at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's website.
Warnings and Safety Precautions by Manufacturers- Some states require manufacturers to include information on packaging and/or the CFL regarding mercury content and recycling. Companies that manufacture CFLs should be required by law to place written warnings of mercury presence in CFLs and ways to prevent exposure on the packaging material. It should also explain ways to safely handle, install, remove, and dispose of CFLs. Contact numbers should also be required on the package materials that can give consumers information on how and where to dispose of used CFLs in their community as well as proper methods of cleaning up a broken CFL.
Future Use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)-LED lights are about twice as efficient as CFLs and last 3-5 times as long. Most importantly, they do not contain mercury. However, LEDs are currently extremely expensive and this high cost outweighs their efficiency and longevity to be marketable at this time. If the average price of available LEDs decreases through scientific and technological advances, they will most likely become the light bulb of choice.
Standards
CFLs contain varying quantities of mercury but are usually between 2 and 5 mg, where linear fluorescent bulbs contain generally between 5 and 25 mg depending of the quality and the length of the tubes.
EPA and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) currently estimate average CFL bulb mercury content at between 3 and 4 mg of mercury. Several brands (Earthmate, Litetronics, Sylvania, Feit, MaxLite, and Philips) sell bulbs with mercury content of 1 to 2.7 mg.
Energy Star set a maximum mercury standard of 5 mg of mercury for CFLs on December 8th, 2008. This standard is expected to be lowered again in the near future as technology improves.
Fact Sheets
We welcome people to add additional fact sheets and informational material to this section
Frequently Asked Questions about CFLs Energy Star
Mercury in the Environment US Geological Survey (USGS)
ToxFAQs™ for Mercury Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Mercury Information Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Mercury Use in Lighting Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
References
Facts and Information
Mercury Use in Lighting Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association. Retrieved on February 20,2009.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury Energy Star. Retrieved on February 20,2009.
Voluntary Commitment on Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lights National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Retrieved on February 20,2009.
Shedding Light on Mercury in Fluorescents Inform Inc. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
Fluorescent Lighting. Product Stewardship Institute. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
CFL Disposal
University of Minnesota Fluorescent Lamp Study University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
CFL Cleanup and Disposal Guidelines Energy Star. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
Mercury Toxicity
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Mercury Compounds. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Retrieved May 12, 2009.
