BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

Fact or fiction?

We all are going to have to switch to them by 2016.  They contain mercury.  But, how dangerous are they?

The government has an 11 step clean up plan if one breaks.  And, the new CFL’s, if broken, should be taken to a hazardous waste dump.

How to clean up a fluorescent bulb (Source: the EPA)

Before cleanup: Vent the room 1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more. 2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one. Cleanup steps for hard surfaces 3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag. 4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. 5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag. 6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces. Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug 3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag. 4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. 5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken. 6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag. Disposal of cleanup materials 7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash. 8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials. 9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center. Future cleaning of carpeting or rug 10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming. 11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

According to an NBC News report

….. the bulbs — known as CFLs — have been revamped, and strict government guidelines have alleviated most of those problems. But while the bulbs are extremely energy-efficient, one problem hasn’t gone away: All CFLs contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage.

The amount is tiny — about 5 milligrams, or barely enough to cover the tip of a pen — but that is enough to contaminate up to 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe drinking levels, extrapolated from Stanford University research on mercury. Even the latest lamps promoted as “low-mercury” can contaminate more than 1,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels.

Okay…. so the mercury levels have been reduced according to our “strict government standards”.  And, just which government standards would they be?  Probably from one of those government agencies that start with “F”.  An agency that has the efficiency and expertise of FEMA, FDA, FBI?  That certainly does not make me want to rush out and buy enough to change out all the lights in my house.

These lights have been discussed since they went on the market.  Improvements have been made.  But, are light bulbs going to become one of those items that is held behind the counter and one has to sign for, like Sudafed or some cold medications?  Who knows?  A terrorist may decide to buy several cases of bulbs from WalMart and poison a small town’s water supply.

Doesn’t it seem that for once… just once… we could get it right?  On the bright side… at least it isn’t a 12 step program.