Connecting Singles^® Forums100% Free Online Dating

So we have mercury light bulbs from what I understand there is only a very small amount of mercury in each bulb about the size of a pin head --- that equals enough mercury to affect 1000 gallons of water .
Not really a big deal except there have been 300 million of these bulbs sold in the U.S. and I have not heard of a viable way to dispose of them.
I would like to know how in the world did they ever even get on the market.

They've been around since the first fluorescent bulb was built. Not just the little twisty compacts but the longer tube type flo's contain mercury as well.
I wish someone would push the LED (light emitting diode) technology a little harder. The Canadian gov. as well as several other s have outlawed incandescent bulbs and they've been pushing the compact flo idea as a replacement. I don't agree.
They are very difficult to recycle and I've yet to hear of a facility or any municipality that offers it.

I would like to know too!

Haven't seen you in awhile.

I have read that they intend to outlaw the incandescent light bulb and force us to have the flourescent bulbs which are extremely dangerous!

They push the flo's which has an energy cost of 25% compared to the incandescent, yet the LED's energy cost is comparatively only 10%!!!
The LED also has a much longer lifespan.

Hi HL and Kid yea I've been off for awhile , but back to subject they are supposed to last 7 years -- seems pretty short sighted to me unless they think we are going to find a solution to the problem before people start disposing of them enmass

Almost sounds like what happened with freon. Remember when freon was supposedly so harmful to the environment that everyone had to start using the 134-A refrigerant. Come to find out, the 134-A is actually as or more harmful to the environment than freon. The real reason that we were forced to change was that the patent was expiring on freon.

Oh brother red tape strikes again?

What I find really sad about them is they wont withstand the cold climate we have here in Canada, and much of the US. I've had about 10% of them shatter when they are first turned on. The glass heats up in a very local area and breaks due to the cold outdoor temps.
Instant release of mercury into the atmosphere. Wonderful idea for a government to push!
I hope they fare out better in warmer climes.

Not red tape. When a patent expires, anyone can make the product. It is all about money.

I consider Patents as much a red tape exercise as anything.Yeah it all boils down the the almighty dollar,you are so right.


and Kid Yes I have heard of them breaking quickly and not only is there a problem with the atmosphere being exposed but hey that stuff is really hard on the nervous system do you remember back in
the 70s when they showed people who had been exposed to mercury in their food ? It was awful.

Kid... this is not just about mercury going into the atmosphere!

A release of mercury in your home through a broken bulb is Highly Toxic!!! It must be decontaminated at once, wearing gloves and not breathing it!!! All debris must be removed and washed properly. I posted on this on my webpage over a month ago.

I have them in my home, read up on them and now I don't know what to do with them... you can't just throw them away.

So stupid to place such a dangerous item into our hands...
What were they thinking?????

That is what has me so angry also I bought them with out knowing too. Kinda coincides with the autogenocide thread except
it is a threat to the whole of humanity.

Luckily I have a stockpile of incandescent bulbs.

I realise they use more power but I'm waiting for LED technology to catch up before our 2010 deadline here.
It's improving and prices are coming down on the DC voltage bulbs. It's only a matter of time before the household AC stuff follows suit.

I wont buy anymore of the mercury bulbs. I dont care what the cost of the other or if they burn out every month --even at that they will be less of a problem waste wise.

I hate to post and run but gotta go have a safe and happy-

When the bulbs break, mercury can contaminate the environment, including soils, people and animals in the surrounding the area. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can severely harm the human nervous system through either ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. It is a highly toxic heavy metal that acts as a cumulative poison similar to lead or DDT. Exposure presents the greatest hazard for infants, children and pregnant mothers. Physical symptoms may include an inability to coordinate body movement, an impairment of hearing, vision and speech, skin rashes and kidney damage.

Look at the use of mercury in old mining of gold. it is still being done in some countries. it draws tiny gold into the lump, then is burned off to get the gold. Spilled in the water and poison the air. Some rivers you can go to now and fine tiny pools of mercury from the old minings.

Have you seen stupid kids wacking and junping and running through breaking floresent tube bulbs.


Which came first ....dumb kids or mercury bulbs that piosoned their brains.

Have you ever heard the term 'Mad as a Hatter'?
Mecery was used in the making of hats in the 18th-10th century, The hatters inhaled the fumes and the neurological problems were deemed as mental illness.