Long Fluorescent Light Bulbs Mercury

Compact fluorescent lamps cfls whose use is estimated to result in a 47 savings in energy costs over the life of each bulb versus incandescents have had their critics.

Long fluorescent light bulbs mercury.

Incandescent halogen and led bulbs do not contain mercury. I don t think this is. Mercury levels inside fluorescent bulbs are quite low. As a result concentrations of mercury in the room will likely approach zero after about an hour or so felix s link interestingly enough that theoretical concentration of 0 2 mg m 3 is twice the osha ceiling for mercury air concentration.

A couple of kids who have a tendency to play soccer in the living room does increase the odds of a broken light bulb. 23 blog but i have a concern about the breakage of fluorescents dissipating mercury inside the house. Compact fluorescent lights cfls use about a quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent light bulbs reducing energy. T8 daylight linear alto fluorescent light bulbs 10 pack f32t8 tl965 helps create a cool and refreshing environment.

Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken. I don t think there s mercury poisoning danger with regular fluorescent bulbs. Mercury is highly toxic to humans and wildlife. July 11 2011 noah long.

An article in the august 2009 official magazine of the illuminating engineering society of north america concluded that a worst case scenario of mercury exposure pdf from a broken bulb is equivalent to eating one serving of fish. A typical fluorescent bulb discarded. The long lasting bulbs can shine up to 30 000 hours using 2 600 lumens. You can consider using a drop cloth e g plastic sheet or beach towel when changing a fluorescent light bulb in case a breakage should occur.

The average mercury content of a 4 foot long bulb manufactured today is approximately 12 mg. The drop cloth will help prevent mercury contamination of nearby surfaces and can be bundled with the bulb debris for disposal. The arctic white light from the philips 32 watt the arctic white light from the philips 32 watt 4 ft. Precautions are recommended but how much actual risk is there.

Low mercury bulbs containing 4 mg or less are currently produced by at least one manufacturer. These lights work well in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Extreme care should be taken in both the handling of broken light bulbs and the disposal of burned out bulbs that contain mercury. Your response to the questions about the use of compact fluorescent bulbs was very helpful.

Bulbs manufactured in the mid 1980s and earlier con tained 40 mg or more. The facts about light bulbs and mercury.