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New Developments Regarding Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
A recent study commissioned by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has drawn attention to the small quantities of mercury found in Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). The Maine study found that CFLs that break release mercury vapor into the air. The Maine study detected, under some circumstances, mercury levels of potential concern to young children and pregnant women.
What you should know:
Small amounts of mercury are components of all fluorescent light bulbs, including those that have been in use in offices, commercial and retail establishments, and residential basements for years. There is no known substitute.
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury – typically 1/100th the amount found in mercury fever thermometers.
Intact CFLs pose no threat of mercury exposure and provide important benefits in reduced energy use (and lower energy costs for consumers), reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced local air pollution (particulates and other pollutants) from electric power generation.
Consumers should handle CFLs carefully to avoid breakage, and refrain from using CFLs in lamps that can be knocked over easily, or in unprotected fixtures where bulbs are particularly at risk of being broken in the presence of young children, as in play spaces.
If a CFL breaks on a floor or carpet, follow the clean-up instructions found here.
Intact CLFs that have burned out or are no longer wanted should be recycled through local recycling centers. Information on recycling mercury, including a list of local recycling centers in Massachusetts, is available here. As of May 1, 2008 Massachusetts law prohibits disposal of products containing mercury, including CFLs, with household trash.
For more information on this topic, please contact the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection at 617-292-5500. Health related questions may also be directed to the Bureau of Environmental Health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-624-5757.
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