[RE-wrenches] CFL lighting and the mercury hazzard.

[Peter Parrish]

Carl is correct. I would add two thoughts. We have been buying CFLs from
Home Depot, Ikea and we have been getting freebies from the Los Angels
Department of Water and Power. Both the Ikea and freebies fail in 1-2 years,
so the story about 5-7 years life is a WAG. Second, let's all hold our
collective breath: LEDs will rule the illumination market fairly soon just
as they have conquered the indication market for many years now. It would be
great if anyone has accumulated some lifetime statistics on LED lighting. 

 

- Peter

 

Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
California Solar Engineering, Inc.
820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
peter.parrish at calsolareng.com 

  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Carl Emerson
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 11:58 AM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: [RE-wrenches] CFL lighting and the mercury hazzard.

 

Hi there,

 

We have for years been advocating the use of energy efficient Compact
Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) to reduce loads and reduce system cost.

 

A recent study by DEP in Maine has raised the alarm about mercury poisoning
form these bulbs. If there is a breakage the resulting levels of mercury on
the floor of the house are well above acceptable limits. Secondly there
seems to be little serious effort to safely recycle these bulbs in a manner
that keeps the mercury out of the eco system.

 

I understand that LED lamps are mercury free. This would seem to be a much
safer alternative.

 

While many of us have mercury amalgams in our mouth the mercury is
supposedly in a form that is not significantly ingested, whereas the mercury
in a CFL is in vapour form when hot and powder form when cold, and therefore
can pose a hazard to health. 

 

Can I suggest some discussion on this and can we do our best to keep it
scientific, I don't mean to spread emotional alarm without due cause.

 

Thanks,

 

Carl Emerson

Free Power Ltd.

Auckland N.Z.

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