Educate Your Children, Please!

They haven't been making these hazards very widely known. I didn't know until recently that those bulbs had mercury in them and that they needed special precautions of they busted - or that they should not be thrown out in the regular trash. I had bought some of these bulbs recently and looked on the packaging to see if any of these warnings or recommendations were listed on the package, but there was absolutely no safety information! If every pack of cigarettes has to be labeled with a warning about smoking, shouldn't these lightbulbs also have to be labeled about the correct clean-up and disposal for the bulbs, as well as the potential health risks?

I think so Amy. They should have the EPA's recommendations spelled out on the box if a bulb should break. Trouble is, most people throw those boxes away after they put the bulb into the lamp. I wish we could negate this new law and allow us all the freedom of personal choice. Those who think they can handle the bulbs safely, by all means, use them! But if you have children and you don't feel comfortable having them in your home, well, the government shouldn't force us to use them. As it stands now, we will be forced to buy them, the first to go will be the 100 watt bulb in 2012, with the 40 watt bulb gone in 2014. I advocate education so kids won't be harmed by this mandate. : )

What is that? There is democracy in this country? Who would know? That wasn't a jab at just the dems... it was towards corporate america who really rules our country.

we only use the light bulbs in areas where they are most likely not to get broken... our bedroom, the breezeway, outside, etc.

Interesting. I guess I should rethink using them in the lamp on the side table. I tend to knock that one over on a pretty regular basis. All the other lights should be fine, since they are enclosed light fixtures installed in the ceiling. I'll have to remember this. Thanks for the warning!

Samantha, the bulbs will be the only ones we are allowed to purchase beginning in 2012.

Adelaide, you're very welcome. I hope to bring some information to those who don't know of this new product's hazards.

Kids aren't the only ones to worry about - my friend's elderly father broke one of these bulbs two weeks ago and didn't know he should leave the room and then be careful with the clean-up.

Here's a question you may be able to answer for me. Right now they don't make CFLs that fit all light fixtures. So... will our light fixtures be something like our televisions, where we'll have to replace all the light fixtures in our house that we can't get CFL bulbs for? Or will we have to stock up on a ten year supply of light bulbs for each unique fixture?

Amy, maybe we will. I have what they call "can lights" in my ceiling in various rooms in my home. I doubt these bulbs will work in those fixtures. Also, I have a wet light in my shower stall that can't have an open flourescent bulb in it because if water splashes it, it may burst on my head! I have bought some bulbs to use in my lamp in the living room that is on a timer as these newer bulbs aren't compatible to timers. I also have dimmer switches in my living and dining rooms that will not accomodate the newer bulbs. I can only hope these new bulbs are for lamps only and we will have our incandescent bulbs for all of our other fixtures. Wow, what happens if we open our refrigerators and the light doesn't come on? I hadn't thought about that one! : O

I hadn't thought about the refrigerator light either! I knew that these bulbs weren't good for motion detectors, dimmers, and the like. Seems like they're very limiting. I have no problem using them in frequently used lights that can take them, but I just bought a lot of new light fixtures, including a chandelier, that will not accommodate these bulbs.

The only way they can make these bulbs as it stands now, is in the squiggly shape. I don't know if we will be able to buy chandelier bulbs when they are the only ones we can buy later. Good point, Amy. : )

One more thought. If every one of us takes the time to talk to our loved ones, friends, and those we worship with or work with, to let them know the dangers of these newer bulbs, then we will improve all of our lives!

I read the warnings when we brought home our bulbs a few months ago. Truthfully, it freaked me out. We are now only using the bulbs in the garage etc., as we couldn't see well enough in the house to read comfortably with them. I know we aren't being green enough, but at least I can still see...and those things aren't in my house.

Wow!!!! This is news to me!!!! Thanks for the info, Barbara!!!!

This is an interesting read on tese CFL bulbs and is taken from the Energystar web-site:

If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, in one
year it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes. That would prevent the release of
greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars.
Do CFLs contain mercury?
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams – about
the amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500
milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it
allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in
use.
Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology
advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average
mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent in the past year. Some manufacturers have even made
further reductions, dropping mercury content to 1.4 – 2.5 milligrams per light bulb.
What are mercury emissions caused by humans?
EPA estimates the U.S. is responsible for the release of 104 metric tons of mercury emissions each year. Most of
these emissions come from coal-fired electrical power. Mercury released into the air is the main way that mercury
gets into water and bio-accumulates in fish. (Eating fish contaminated with mercury is the main way for humans to
be exposed.)
Most mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. EPA
estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 11 percent – is released into air or water when it is
sent to a landfill, assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 290 million CFLs sold in 2007 were sent to a
landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would add 0.13 metric tons, or 0.1 percent, to U.S. mercury
emissions caused by humans.
How do CFLs result in less mercury in the environment compared to traditional light
bulbs?
Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S. CFLs use less electricity than incandescent
lights, meaning CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. As shown in the table below, a 13-watt,
8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent; a common light bulb type) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus
avoiding 4.5 mg of mercury. If the bulb goes to a landfill, overall emissions savings would drop a little, to 4.2 mg.
EPA recommends that CFLs are recycled where possible, to maximize mercury savings.

If you have the time to take to read this article, you will find what mercury vapors may do to small children and babies, as well as fetuses should a bulb be broken in the home. Here's the link:http://www.mercurypolicy.org/new/documents/Final_Shedding_Light_ALL.pdf

Here's the link to the epa for what to do should a CFL bulb should break. Please scan down the page to find it as it is in the middle part rather than upper.
http://epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

I am going to print out the advisory if I ever break a CFL bulb so I will know exactly what to do should it ever happen. I hope it doesn't, but if it does, I'll be informed. : )

I bought a couple of packages of these bulbs before I realized the dangers AND that we will be required to use them starting by 2012. Did you know that China is (or possibly was, there may have been some changes made in the last few months) the only nation manufacturing these bulbs?

I have decided to not buy any more unless I am forced to, just because I don't like to be told what I have to buy and who I have to buy from. I will stock up on incandescent bulbs.

If people would use lighting wisely, instead of turning on every light in the house and leaving them on for hours every day, we wouldn't have such a worry about how much energy we were using.

Exactly right Pat V. We only use the lights we need to use, usually a lamp in the living room and one in the family room. I have bought a few of the old fashioned bulbs so I will have a bulb to use in our lamp with the timer on it. As of this writing, I don't believe they have made a CFL bulb that is compatible with a timer. I have seen some of them recently with candleabra style bulbs, but those are new to me. The problem I have with Congress passing this bill is that they are taking away my freedom of choice to buy what I want for my home and my circumstances. Government is getting bigger and more intrusive in our lives and that is my biggest concern second to our kids being harmed by these bulbs if they should break in the home.

www.storyboxbook.com has some great stuff to help teach children. As a mother of four I couldnt recommend it more. Check out my blog at http://arewenearlythereyet.wordpress.com to read what my family and I have been up to!