Today, the EPA has updated their policy on how to safely deal with a broken compact fluorescent light bulb, a backhanded way of telling consumers that “small” is still toxic and dangerous.
CFL’s – they’re everywhere. And advertising encouraging consumers to use them is proliferating.
Yet all is not as it seems. Sure, they save energy. But no matter what the ads say, they STILL have mercury in them. And mercury is by every measure considered hazardous waste.
Now scientists at Yale say eight states “will end up with more local emissions of mercury” – Alaska, California, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The US will see a modest net reduction in emissions; Canada and Mexico slight reductions. Parts of Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe will see the biggest increases.
The report also states “some of the calculations will change if mercury content in CFLs decreases, recycling rates increase, or power plant emissions are reduced.”
So, are CFL’s the REAL answer? Not yet. There are still too many serious health risks to go along with utilities’ and government’s positive spin.