Friday, 28th November 2008
Dangers of energy saving bulbs
Just recently I read an article in the English press which deals with the dangers encountered when handling or using energy saving light bulbs. The article went as far as to say that these bulbs are so dangerous that everyone must leave the room for at least 15 minutes if one of these bulbs falls to the floor and breaks. Experts in health care also submitted their views in this regard and amongst their opinions these interesting points emerged:
Toxic mercury inside the bulbs can aggravate a range of problems including migraines and dizziness.
People with skin complaints will find it hard to tolerate being near the bulbs as they cause conditions such as eczema to flare up. Shards of glass from broken bulbs should not be vacuumed up but instead swept away by someone wearing rubber gloves to protect them from the bulb's mercury content.
Care should be taken not to inhale any dust and the broken pieces should be put in a sealed plastic bag for disposal at a council dump and not in normal household bins.
It is interesting to note that none of these warnings are printed on the packaging of these bulbs when bought.
Further to the above, these bulbs are also a threat to the environment and unless they are disposed off in the proper way as in the case of batteries, the mercury inside these bulbs might contaminate the air and water supplies.
In the light of the vast campaign being made for the use of these energy savings bulbs it would be interesting to have the authorities confirm or deny these claims. If they are indeed true, the Health Department should inform the public of the dangers of these so-called eco-friendly bulbs.
This information should be given immediately as many people are now opting to replace the traditional bulbs with energy saving bulbs in order to cut down on their electricity bills.
Further correspondence giving information regarding this subject would be useful for those not aware of these complications.
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SECTION 6: HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Not applicable to the intact lamp. Breakage of the lamp may result in some exposure to the phosphor powder dust and to a very small amount of elemental mercury vapor. No adverse effects are expected from occasional exposure to broken lamps, but as a matter of good practice prolonged or frequent exposure should be avoided through the use of adequate ventilation during disposal of large quantities of lamps.
EMERGENCY FIRST AID: Normal first aid procedure for glass cuts if such occur through lamp
breakage.
PLEASE STOP THIS SCAREMONGERING. THERE IS NO DANGER FROM ENERGY SAVER LAMPS.
Do yourself a Favor, just dont by these Energy Saving Bulbs !!
LOL !!!
Why should I buy a number of spare bulbs for every appliance that uses them now when they are low power and it is illogical to prevent their manufacture?
"The manufacturers are in duty bound to supply you with any spare parts for at least ten years."
The manufacturers will have to increase the prices because they rightfully have to include the interest they lose on the money they spend on their stocks, so they will become more expensive over time. This is reflected in most, if not all manufacturers, who order their requirements on what is known as "just in time" basis so as to keep stocking expenses down.
The decisions taken by the burocrats in Brussels to justify their salaries for which we pay through our noses really classify them as idiots who cannot see beyond their noses.
Coal contains mercury, besides other heavy metals, sometimes even uranium. When burnt, these poisonous heavy metals are released into the air we breath.
Now, when we change over to energy saving (PL) lamps, we reduce the amount of coal being burnt by 4/5ths (80%). Hence we are reducing the amount of mercury by 80%. The mercury saved during one PL lamp lifetime is calculated to be much more than the few micrograms present in that PL lamp. When a PL lamp burns out, it can be disposed of safely through the proper return chain. The Mercury emanating from coal cannot.
A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing indeed. Please do not let such scaremongering scare the unknowing from doing the right thing.
"......I read an article in the English press ........"
I do not want to question your argument but could you please better specify the exact source of your information.
Can those idiots in Brussels tell us what we will replace a refrigerator, oven, sewing machine and other similar equipment and night lamps which all use a mere 3 to 5 Watts, are used intermittently and are very small?
Also I believe that a n EU law is about to be enabled which outlaws the sale of conventional bulbs.
My understanding, is the technology is the same as flourcent bulbs(same ones we use in cafetirias and schools, etc...) except small, and far less mercury.
Yes, they need to be disposed of properly, what doesn't... However you dispose of these bulbs less regularly then normal bulbs...
if you are worried about mercury... stop eating fish... ;-)
if a bulb breaks, take a 15 minute walk round the block, but remeber... dont eat the fish....