CFLS: Mercury and Disposal

With the rise in national media attention to energy supply and cost issues has come increased attention on energy savings measures especially compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs. With this attention also has come concern about the safety of these types of light bulbs. Fluorescent lamps -- including CFLs--contain trace amounts of vaporized mercury, a heavy metal and known neurotoxin. The mercury content of CFLs is typically in the range of 4mg. To provide comparison, a typical industry-standard T-12 commercial fluorescent lamp contains approximately 20mg of vaporized mercury. Older, glass thermometers for home use typically contain 500mg of liquid mercury.



While in operation and as long as the bulb is intact, CFLs do not release mercury, and their use actually leads to an overall decrease in mercury in the environment through reductions in electricity generated by the combustion of coal. CFLs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs resulting in average savings per bulb of $35. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also estimates that if every American changed at least five incandescent bulbs to CFLs, greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that from nearly 10 million cars would be avoided.



Consumers should exercise the same caution in changing CFLs as with incandescent blbs. The EPA's EnergyStar program recommends using the following procedure in the event of CFL breakage:

1. Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes.



2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.

• Wear disposable gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).


• Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.


• Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or a disposable wet wipe.


• Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

3. Place all cleanup materials in two plastic bags seal them, and put them in the trash if no other disposal or recycling option is available. Wash your hands after disposing of the bags.

4. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag after cleaning the area (or empty and clean the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris as well as cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

Many consumers have questions about disposal of CFLs. Mercury is an environmental contaminant. While lamps generated as household waste are exempt from federal and state regulation as hazardous waste, it is recommended that consumers dispose of these bulbs at a hazardous waste disposal facility.

For more information on this topic, visit www.p2pays.org/mercury/lights.asp. For answers to questions about energy issues and services in North Carolina, contact the information and referral center of NC State Energy Office at 1-800-662-7131 or energyinfo@ncmail.net.