Incandescent Bulbs [The new enemy of the Peoples Government]: Are the new CFL bulbs safe in our homes?
Incandescent Bulbs [The new enemy of the Peoples Government]
Before a few years ago, the standard 60-watt (or, yikes, 100-watt) Bulb was the mainstay of every U.S. Home. With the green movement And all-things-sustainable-energy crowd, the Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL) is largely replacing the older, Edison-era Incandescent bulb. The EPA reports that 2007 sales for Energy Star CFLs nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. Light bulb market. And according to USA Today, a new energy bill plans to phase out Incandescent bulbs in the next four to 12 years.
* Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
* Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
[On this same website it also warns NOT to use a vacuum cleaner. Another section advises us to throw away CARPETING if it comes in contact with Mercury. They also advise us to have a properly certified company come in to do the cleaning of this very hazardous waste.]
* You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb. [Very difficult to determine]
* If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
* Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
* Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center. [...and they are where?]
* Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
What health problems are associated with exposure to mercury?
Health problems caused by mercury depend on how much has entered your body, how it entered your body, how long you have been exposed to it, and how your body responds to the mercury.
Mercury is harmful to both animals and humans. Children are more susceptible to mercury poisoning than adults. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury over a long period may cause negative health effects including damage to the brain, kidney, lungs, and the developing fetus. Brief contact with high levels of mercury can cause immediate health effects including loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and changes in behavior or personality. Depending on the length or degree of exposure, additional symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, eye irritation, weight loss, skin rashes, and muscle tremors may occur.
When exposure to mercury stops, most symptoms usually go away; however, effects on the brain and nervous system may be permanent. Once mercury has entered the body, it can take months before it is eliminated, mainly through the urine and feces. Levels of mercury can be measured in blood, urine, and scalp hair. These tests may help to predict [you notice they do not sat treat] possible health effects.
How can I be exposed to mercury?
Mercury exposure can occur by breathing vapors, by direct skin contact or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with mercury. Many people are exposed by breathing vapors, which are readily absorbed by the lungs. Mercury can enter the body through the skin, especially if it contacts a cut or wound. If you swallow mercury, very little is absorbed. Most of the mercury is eliminated through the digestive tract. [Maybe this means they are suggesting that after you clean the area you should swallow all the debris? Hey, just kidding]
What Never to Do with a Mercury Spill
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Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury (but see the "What to Doif a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks" section below for more specificinstructions about vacuuming broken fluorescent light bulbs). Thevacuum will put mercury into the air and increase exposure.
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Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets and spread them.
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Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and causefuture problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can causepollution of the septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
- Neverwash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact withmercury in a washing machine, because mercury may contaminate themachine and/or pollute sewage. Clothing that has come into directcontact with mercury should be discarded. By "direct contact," we meanthat mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the clothing. Forexample:
- if you broke a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came in contact with your clothing, or
- if you broke a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) so that broken glass andother material from the bulb, including mercury-containing powder, cameinto contact with your clothing.
Youcan, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposedto the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, like the clothing you happenedto be wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as thatclothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from thebroken bulb.
- Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated clothing can also spread mercury around.
Categories: Compact Fluorescent Light bulb, Consumer Advisory, Carbon Offsets, Energy
Tags: Compact Fluorescent Light bulb Consumer Advisory Carbon Offsets Energy
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