Des Moines Register: Illuminating the environment with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Filed under: Earth 911 - May 29, 2007
Brighter and better fluorescent light bulbs help reduce global warming but can be hazardous when trashed
MARY CHIND / THE REGISTER
May 29, 2007
Chris Sterk, manager of the Ace Hardware store in Johnston, is putting up signs to point out environmentally safe products throughout the store. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are one of the products that will be highlighted.
About mercury
Mercury is naturally found in the environment, with most of the man-made emissions coming from power plants. Due to their energy efficiency CFLs though, reduce the amount of mercury released by power plants by more 75 percent compared to an incandescent.
Mercury is most often exposed to humans through contaminated fish and can be particularly dangerous to pregnant women and young children, though the FDA estimates that few people are exposed to levels high enough to do harm.
Exposure to mercury can affect the brain, spinal cord, kidneys and liver and cause trembling hands, memory loss and difficulty moving so proper handling of broken bulbs is important.
Illuminating the environment with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Brighter and better fluorescent light bulbs help reduce global warming but can be hazardous when trashed
If every home in Des Moines changed just one bulb, it could …
Counteract the annual emissions from 1,188 cars
Light 869 homes for a year
Reduce the pollution that causes smog by 78 percent
Why use them? Risk is low if properly used, efficiency benefit is huge
- Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) produce the same amount of light as a typical incandescent bulb using one-third of the energy.
- They last up to 10 times longer, which means less hassle buying and changing bulbs and fewer incandescents in the landfills.
- You save money in energy costs. Replace a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL and save $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb.
- CFLs produce 70 percent less heat, making them more energy-efficient and safer.
- They lessen pollution from power plants. Each CFL can prevent more than 450 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in its lifetime.
- They reduce the amount of mercury and nitrogen oxide emissions, which cause smog, from power plants.
Don’t trash the bulbs; recycle them to keep environment safe
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. No mercury is released when the bulbs are used properly, and any released into the air when a bulb breaks poses a low risk, if cleaned up properly. However, when bulbs in a landfill break, the mercury can contaminate the soil and water, entering the human food chain. For this reason, it is important to dispose of the bulbs properly.
- Des Moines metro residents: Collect CFLs and take them to the Metro Waste Regional Collection Center north of Interstate Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 65 near Bondurant. Disposal is free for metro residents. Broken bulbs are not accepted.
- Central Iowa: Metro Waste Authority works with communities in 20 counties to collect hazardous waste, including fluorescent light bulbs, at satellite sites and drop-off events. For a list of communities working with the facility, its hours and additional information, go to www.metro-waste.com.
- Statewide: A number of other regional collection centers can be found throughout the state. Find this article on DesMoinesRegister.com for a map of areas served and a list of contact information.
- If disposal services are not available: Place the bulb in a sealed plastic bag before putting it in the trash. Do not burn a CFL.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, MidAmerican Energy, General Electric, Philips, New York Times, U.S. Census
GRAPHICS AND RESEARCH BY KELLI BROWN/THE REGISTER
PHOTOS BY MARY CHIND/THE REGISTER
Bulb collection at stores may be future of recycling
Currently, only about 1 to 2 percent of fluorescent bulbs from homes are recycled, according to Paul Abernathy, the executive director at the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.
Industry leaders are looking for ways to make recycling more convenient and thus more likely that people will dispose of the bulbs properly.
Abernathy said that there are many pitfalls - namely who should pay for it - to be sorted out.
“We are working with government agencies,” Abernathy said, “so that the consumers can get better access to recycling.”
Retail recycling
Of the retail giants promoting the bulbs, only Ikea has started collecting spent bulbs for recycling. John Gilkeson of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said that others may join in.
He said consumers should hear about “some pilot collection projects in the next year” from national big-box retailers with the thought of “implementing something nationwide a couple of years out.”
Curbside recycling
Local recycling agencies say that including bulbs in curbside recycling is unlikely. Abernathy says, nationally, that plan has few backers.
“There’s no push to include (CFLs) in curbside pickup because they’re fragile and will break - releasing mercury into the environment.”
However, Gilkeson said the city of Minneapolis does include the bulbs in occasional curbside pickups, and has experienced few problems.
Common questions about CFLs
What are CFLs and how do they work?
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) are similar to regular light bulbs, but are more energy-efficient because of how they produce light. A spark initiates a chemical reaction between the gases in the glass tubes. This causes a chemical coating on the tube to light up.
Where can I buy CFLs?
They’re available in most home improvement stores, supermarkets and lighting and hardware stores. CFLs are made by many of the same manufacturers that produce incandescent bulbs. They cost more, but the savings over time more than makes up for the extra initial cost.
Where should I use them?
Replace the incandescent bulbs you leave on the longest or that are in places that make changing bulbs inconvenient. They are most efficient when on for two hours or more.
- Prime locations: Kitchen, living, family and dining rooms.
- Good locations if used a lot: Areas where you frequently turn lights on and off, such as bathrooms, closets and hallways.
- Less-efficient locations: High-ceiling fixtures above 12 feet or in fixtures where a concentrated beam of light is needed.
Since it’s better not to turn CFLs on and off a lot, should I just leave them on all the time?
No. If you’re leaving the room for more than 15 minutes, you should turn off the light.
The light seems to be fading. What does that mean?
CFLs produce less light over time. By the time a bulb burns out, it may only produce 75 percent of the light it did originally. Once the quantity and quality of light no longer seem effective, change the bulb. It’s also a good idea to change all the bulbs in one fixture at the same time so there’s no noticeable difference in brightness and color.
I have an older home. Are there any wiring concerns?
No, and CFLs may work better for you. They draw less electricity and produce less heat, minimizing risk. However, if you’ve had problems, then you should have the wiring checked by a professional before installing any light bulbs.
Do they work in dimming and three-way fixtures?
Yes. Some models are specifically made for each type of fixture. Regular CFLs may not work, so read package descriptions carefully.
Can I use CFLs outside?
Yes, although they may take longer to reach full brightness. Look for ones marked for outdoor use. Enclosed fixtures offer the bulb more protection and keep the space around the bulb warmer. This allows it to light up faster, although the enclosure may block a small amount of light output. If the bulb isn’t enclosed, look for varieties labeled “weatherproof,” which are coated to protect the bulb from rain and other elements. Some bulbs are even designed to help keep bugs away.
Can I use CFLs in recessed fixtures?
Yes. Choose ones labeled “reflector,” but do not use them in totally enclosed recessed fixtures.
Can I use CFLs in the bathroom?
Yes, although high humidity may shorten the bulb lifetime. Run the ventilation fan before and after showering.
What to do if a bulb breaks
U.S. Department of Energy research shows that since the amount of mercury in each bulb is small, there is little risk to you or your family if a bulb breaks and is cleaned up properly.
What to do if a CFL breaks:
- If possible, open windows to ventilate the room.
- Avoid touching any parts of the broken bulb. Sweep - don’t vacuum - any glass fragments. Use tape to pick up the smallest pieces, and wear gloves to avoid cutting yourself.
- Transfer the broken bulb and fragments into a sealed plastic bag.
- Wipe up the areas with a damp paper towel and place the towel and tape in the sealed bag, too.
- Wait at least 15 minutes before vacuuming in that area.
Can compact fluorescent bulbs create interference with electronic equipment?
Not usually, but it can happen. Rarely, the infrared light coming from a CFL can be misinterpreted by a television, wireless phone or other electronic device and cause it to malfunction (the TV might suddenly change channels for example). If this happens, move the bulb away from the device or plug the light fixture or device into another wall outlet.
Can mercury be eliminated from the bulbs altogether?
No. It’s what allows the bulb to be so efficient. Manufacturers have reduced the amount of mercury in the bulbs but have not found a complete replacement. The amount is small when compared to other household items: CFL, 4 mg; older home thermometer, 500 mg; fever thermometer, 700 mg; manual thermostat, 3,000 mg.
What if it burns out right away?
Energy Star CFLs have a two-year warranty. Save your receipt and package materials.
What if I don’t have my receipt?
Contact the manufacturer by finding their name and the bulb model number, usually printed on the base of the bulb.
How are “instant-on” bulbs different than others?
Manufacturers of spiral bulbs are simply saying that the bulb will light up instantly as all Energy Star spiral bulbs should. Other types of CFLs, such as reflectors and globes, have a higher operating temperature because the tubes are enclosed. This requires an additional element that the makes the bulb take up to three minutes to warm-up fully.
How do CFLs compare to incandescent bulbs labeled “long-life”?
CFLs are still a better choice. “Long-life” incandescents last longer than regular bulbs but are even less efficient. However, “extended life” CFLs are a better value than a regular CFL.
How do LEDs compare?
LEDs have no mercury inside and are very energy efficient but are not yet comparable in light quality or cost. For now, LEDs are not cost-effective for general residential use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, some potential residential near-term applications include accent lights, desk lights and under-the-cabinet lights. In some cases, LEDs already can be worth the extra cost for outdoor path and step lighting. These situations benefit from an LEDs durability and potential to be powered by solar cells.
Online
www.energystar.gov Try out the CFL calculator to determine your actual savings by switching to CFLs.
www.earth911.org Search for disposal options by ZIP code. Or call (800) 253-2687.
One Response to “Des Moines Register: Illuminating the environment with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs”
I am very interested in the effect of cfl’s on brain wave. I had read an article which indicated that they may cause disruption to the brain and cause seizures or severe headaches. If you could help with some information on this I would be most appreciative.
Gene Barday Jr