Big Green Breakthrough

I got another e-mail from someone today who’s worried about the mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs. The writer is a lawyer who’s hesitant to recommend her law firm install CFLs, since the bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. I’m amazed the CFL industry still hasn’t gotten the word out on this – especially since fear of mercury poisoning is one of the biggest reasons why people don’t buy their bulbs. So let’s set the record straight: using a CFL generates far less mercury than using a regular incandescent bulb. Why? Because electricity is generated mostly by burning coal. When coal is burned it releases mercury. And since it takes a lot more coal to power incandescents than fluorescents, a lot more mercury is released when you use a good ole’ bulb like the one Thomas Edison invented. Yes, CFLs do contain mercury – about the same amount that would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen. And yes, CFLs should be disposed of as hazardous waste, so don’t just toss them in your trash can in six or seven years when the bulb burns out. But are you going to die if a CFL breaks in your office? Nope.  Still don’t believe me?  Take it from EPA.