Questions Arising On Mercury In Compact Fluorescents

Patchw0rk F0g sends in an article from MSNBC on how some environmentalists are having second thoughts on compact fluorescent bulbs. Their relative energy efficiency is unquestioned. The problem is the mercury — enough in one bulb to contaminate 1,000 gallons of water, even in newer low-mercury bulbs. The EPA has an 11-step cleanup process to follow when you break a CFL in your home. The specialized recycling facilities that are needed are thin on the ground — about one per county in California, one of seven states where it is illegal to dispose of CFLs in the general waste stream.

I'm dead

[stokessd]

I played with mercury as a child. We used to rub dimes on it, and push it around on a desk and i our hands. I had like 5 pounds of the stuff in a bottle, enough co contaminate the solar system if ne CFB contaminates 1000 gallons of water.

So I'll be dying soon, anybody want to buy a low slashdot ID?

Sheldon

Tag this post: getoffmylawn

I don't get it

[ArcherB]

Questions Arising On Mercury In Compact Fluorescents

What does Compact Florescent bulbs have to do with the planet Mercury?

Re:But Global Warming

[hunterx11]

Personally, I think the threat from mercury is a bunch of liberal hype. I'm not saying that it isn't dangerous, but let's wait until the science is all in before making this a political issue and conjuring all sorts of doomsday scenarios about "mercury in tuna" and such. Why is it that the media only covers the pro-"mercury is dangerous" side of the debate?

Re:LED lighting

[unhooked]

Q: How many hazmat teams does it take to change a lightbulb?

Re:LED lighting

[CFD339]

Is there an immediate life/safety threat? If not, we're going to need to set up a decon in the transition from the hot to the cold zone, and that requires at least 3 people - with their backup which makes six. You have to have at least two at a time entering the hot zone, so that's two more. You'll need someone to do incident command, a couple of medics running rehab, and of course at least two people to manage traffic control.

If you plan to get government funds to cover the cost, you'll have to follows NIMS protocols, which means someone has to do the paperwork for budgeting.

You'll need a pair of engine companies standing by with a charged safety line and a backup line.

With all that manpower and flashing lights, you'll need a media savvy public affairs officer too.

Hope this helps.

Oh, were you joking?

Re:I only liked CFLs because they lasted longer.

[Anonymous Coward]

How can the first post be redundant?

That may be true but....

[raehl]

If you eat 11oz of Yellowfin each week, you'll consume the same amount of mercury as eating 1 CF lightbulb each year, or 4oz of swordfish each week. ...You've apparently never tried to light a room with swordfish.

Re:LED lighting

[jollyreaper]

I was testing LEDs today, and one in particular impressed me. It lit up my (very dark) cave
like daylight. Not blue, not yellow. It has 36 LEDs dotted around it, so it isn't in the
classic bulb form.

This is a similar one (Chinese products; could be countless copies):
http://evilidler.webofcrafts.net/S660E27-36D.jpg [webofcrafts.net] [webofcrafts.net]

Wow, that looks like a Dalek sex toy. Let's not give them any ideas.