French jurist said:About mercury : mercury doesn't leak and isn't released in nature for as long as the bulb remains intact. At worst, store the bulb once it doesn't work anymore (same with batteries, prescription drugs, etc.).
Also, since regular bulbs need 5 times more energy than CF ones, that's 10 grams of mercury that is released in nature during the life cycle of a regular bulb versus 3 grams for CF ones. Considering that CF bulbs contain 2 to 5 milligrams of mercury, all in all, regular bulbs release 3 times more mercury in nature than CF ones.
xibeca said:And what do you think happens when people throw the CFL bulbs in the trash? How many Argentines do you think will recycle theirs? Like 1%? CFL bulbs will lead to huge increase of mercury in the environment. As if it wasn't bad enough already.
And how exactly is mercury released in the environment when energy is harnessed?
steveinbsas said:These light bulbs are a joke. They burn out long before thier "guaranteed" life.
I asked about DISPOSAL (not recycle) here. All I got was a few shrugs.
French jurist said:About mercury : mercury doesn't leak and isn't released in nature for as long as the bulb remains intact. At worst, store the bulb once it doesn't work anymore (same with batteries, prescription drugs, etc.).
Also, since regular bulbs need 5 times more energy than CF ones, that's 10 grams of mercury that is released in nature during the life cycle of a regular bulb versus 3 grams for CF ones. Considering that CF bulbs contain 2 to 5 milligrams of mercury, all in all, regular bulbs release 3 times more mercury in nature than CF ones.
gouchobob said:Incandescent light bulbs are history and are being phased out even in the U.S.(in a year or so you won't be able to buy them). They are inefficient and obsolete. You might want to keep a few to show to future generations.