gid

October 06, 2007

Are Compact Fluorescent Lamps good for you or the environment?

CFL-Compact-Flourescent-Bulb.jpg
Compact Flourescent Bulb (CFL)

So are the new CFL light bulbs a good idea? I used to think so, but I don't think I will be purchasing anymore.

Here are some links. Let me know what you think.

This link is pro CFL, but reading the comments got me looking around about the mercury levels in the bulb. Here is the link to the PRO CFL Movie.

Here is a youtube move from the University of Calgary. It is about 4 minutes long, but worth the view. It does not mention CFLs directly, but it does show the effect of mercury on the brain. I can't help but drawing a connection. Hat tip to Carl who found the movie .

Now read this article about a mother who broke a CFL in her daughters room. Mercury CFL Cleanup

The specialist found mercury levels in the bedroom in excess of six times the state's "safe" level for mercury contamination of 300 billionths of a gram per cubic meter. The DEP specialist recommended that Bridges call an environmental cleanup firm, which reportedly gave her a "low-ball" estimate of US$2,000 to clean up the room. The room then was sealed off with plastic and Bridges began "gathering finances" to pay for the US$2,000 cleaning. Reportedly, her insurance company wouldn't cover the cleanup costs because mercury is a pollutant.

One good thing about the article above is that they point out the double standard taken by both Environmental Defense and Green Peace on the CFL issue.

Posted by gid at 11:06 AM | Comments (2)