Long Fluorescent Light Bulbs Mercury

Mercury is highly toxic to humans and wildlife.

Long fluorescent light bulbs mercury. A couple of kids who have a tendency to play soccer in the living room does increase the odds of a broken light bulb. Fluorescent tubes serve as an energy efficient alternative to incandescent light bulbs but they contain low levels of toxic mercury which can be released into the air or water if the tubes are broken. An article in the august 2009 official magazine of the illuminating engineering society of north america concluded that a worst case scenario of mercury exposure pdf from a broken bulb is equivalent to eating one serving of fish. 23 blog but i have a concern about the breakage of fluorescents dissipating mercury inside the house.

I don t think this is. The drop cloth will help prevent mercury contamination of nearby surfaces and can be bundled with the bulb debris for disposal. Compact fluorescent lamps cfls whose use is estimated to result in a 47 savings in energy costs over the life of each bulb versus incandescents have had their critics. I don t think there s mercury poisoning danger with regular fluorescent bulbs.

The arctic white light from the philips 32 watt the arctic white light from the philips 32 watt 4 ft. T8 daylight linear alto fluorescent light bulbs 10 pack f32t8 tl965 helps create a cool and refreshing environment. You can consider using a drop cloth e g plastic sheet or beach towel when changing a fluorescent light bulb in case a breakage should occur. Pounds that coat the inside of the bulb.

Low mercury bulbs containing 4 mg or less are currently produced by at least one manufacturer. The long lasting bulbs can shine up to 30 000 hours using 2 600 lumens. Extreme care should be taken in both the handling of broken light bulbs and the disposal of burned out bulbs that contain mercury. Compact fluorescent lights cfls use about a quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent light bulbs reducing energy.

Fluorescent tubes compact fluorescent germicidal blacklight metal halide and other hid light bulbs all contain mercury compounds. That can lead to short term health risk for exposed individuals and lasting environmental damage to soil and water. Your response to the questions about the use of compact fluorescent bulbs was very helpful. Mercury levels inside fluorescent bulbs are quite low.

A typical fluorescent bulb discarded. These lights work well in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Bulbs manufactured in the mid 1980s and earlier con tained 40 mg or more. As a result concentrations of mercury in the room will likely approach zero after about an hour or so felix s link interestingly enough that theoretical concentration of 0 2 mg m 3 is twice the osha ceiling for mercury air concentration.

Precautions are recommended but how much actual risk is there. Incandescent halogen and led bulbs do not contain mercury.