Fluorescent bulbs save energy, reduce mercury levels
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Region - Some homeowners have been wary of boarding the Green Wagon and converting from incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) because of the presence of mercury, a hazardous element, in CFLs.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site at www.epa.gov, the sources of most mercury contamination in humans are certain types of fish and burning coal that contains a high level of mercury. As it happens, the biggest contributor of mercury in the air ends up coming from burning coal for the generation of electricity, so a reduction in the use of electricity ends up reducing the amount of mercury released into the atmosphere.

According to a study done by the Department of Environmental Quality in Michigan, "the highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel in Michigan to produce electricity." (Visit www.michigan.gov for more information about the study.)

Because a CFLuses up to 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs, according to Jennifer Boudrie of Marlborough's Climate Action Network, a switch to CFLs means that power plants burn less coal and emit less mercury to produce the electricity needed.

"A power plant will emit 10 milligrams of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4 milligrams of mercury to run a CFLfor the same time," according to the U.S. EPA fact sheet "Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps CFLs," published in 2003.

As for the amount of mercury in CFLs themselves, it is about 4 milligrams, which is about the size of a period at the end of the sentence. In comparison, a mercury thermometer has between 1 and 3 grams of mercury.

Mercury is also used in dentist offices, laboratories, medications and household products, including temperature gauges, batteries, jewelry and switches for appliances, according to the U.S. EPA publication "Inventory of U.S. Green House Gas Emissions," published in April 2003.

People are exposed to the mercury in a CFLonly if a bulb is broken. Homeowners are advised to take proper precautions when cleaning up after a broken CFLbulb: open the windows for up to 15 minutes, clean up broken glass and place it in a sealed bag, and dispose of that bag in another sealed bag; if a vacuum is used in the clean-up that bag and filter should be disposed of in a sealed bag and the vacuum should be wiped down. (Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.)

According to Boudrie, half of all electricity comes from power plants and if everyone in the United States changed just one bulb from incandescent to a CFL, they would save enough electricity to close two power plants.

Changing to CFLs will help the environment, but it will also help save consumers money by reducing the amount of electricity purchased.

For more information about mercury levels or other environmental issues, visit www. greenmarlborough.org.