I don’t know about you, but when I first started hearing about CFLs (compact fluorescent lightbulbs), I was pretty excited. What’s not to love about a lightbulb that lasts longer, saves energy and money on your electric bill, and claims to be more eco-friendly?
And yet. The first time I broke a bulb, I freaked out a little bit because I knew that the bulbs contained a tiny bit of mercury. Since the bulb broke when all my kids were in the same room with me, I was concerned about them breathing in the dust. I quickly got online to find out the proper way to dispose of the bulb, which ended up being pretty complicated.
I began to wonder, what’s going to happen when billions of these lightbulbs are being used across the U.S. and Canada? Is everyone really going to go to the trouble of disposing of them properly at a waste management facility?
Then I talked with a naturopath, Dr. Aurore Adamkiewicz, who is also very concerned about CFLs (this link is an mp3 download) – not only the environmental implications of tons of these lightbulbs being thrown in the trash and leaking mercury into our water and soil – but also the health effects of fluorescents. You might want to take a listen to our conversation. Aurore recommends another, safer alternative to CFLs that also happen to be more eco-friendly than incandescents, yet do not cause the potential problems that CFLs are linked with.
We’ve actually had trouble with the few we bought. They just simply didn’t last longer. It may have been defective bulbs. I’m not sure, but we were put off right away.
So far time wise mine have been good. I didn’t know about the special clean up steps if one breaks, so glad I popped by schmoozins this morning. At first glance on the package there are no special directions or anything, they really should have to make that more clear! I had no idea.