Each tube contains a small amount of mercury, which can be dangerous if released into the open. Fluorescent lights get their glow from the mercury trapped inside, and the compact fluorescents (CFLs) used for energy efficient household lighting are the same. Another cause of flicker is CFL or LED lights working on a dimmer switch without enough electrical resistance. The Dangers of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Aside from the dangers of the very thin glass used to make them, fluorescent bulbs also contain mercury, which is potentially dangerous if inhaled. "Not one," Havas says. Check the UL specifications on the old light bulb you’re replacing and be sure the new light bulb matches. Handling Instructions for Fluorescent Light Tubes Be careful not to break fluorescent tubes! I wasn't, until yesterday. Fluorescent lights are less expensive to buy compared to how long they last (about 13 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs) and they are much less expensive to operate. Posted on 12 May 2013 You see them in every grocery store and home center – those funny-looking curly compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) that are rapidly replacing the old round bulbs. 2. When I was a kid, my brothers and I used to climb up on the roof and play Zeus, throwing spent fluorescent tubes on the sidewalk below. You see, fluorescent tubes and other light bulbs contain mercury, which is a chemical that … I don't think there's mercury poisoning danger with regular fluorescent bulbs. Another topic I want to take a look at are the hidden dangers of Fluorescent Lights. If a fluorescent light bulb breaks, it must be picked up carefully to avoid exposing your skin to danger. Dangers of Fluorescent Light Bulbs Aside from its compressed gas issues, ballasts may contain PCB's, carcinogens which can cause reproductive, skin and liver disorders. Compact Fluorescent Lamps are designed to fit standard light sockets as an energy-saving alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus that's for CF bulbs. The Dangers of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Understanding The Dangers of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. your password I have to tell a little story here… About 15 years ago, I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink. When combining fluorescent bulbs for recycling, please wrap them carefully with twine or string. Fluorescent light bulbs are just about everywhere -- in offices, homes, retail stores and factories. The glass that is used to make incandescent light bulbs is very thin, This helps the light to shine clearly through the bulb, whether it is a frosted bulb or a clear or colored bulb. Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury that’s difficult to properly dispose of if one gets broken. *twitch* posted by felix betachat at 11:37 PM on May 4, 2008 It's not big deal when a light bulb breaks. A Brief Primer on Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Because of the emphasis over the last few years on switching from incandescent bulbs to CFLs for energy efficiency, most individuals are familiar with the twisty tube shape of compact fluorescent bulbs. What if my bulb breaks? We turned out fine. Log into your account. A typical 20-watt compact fluorescent light bulb can produce about as much light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb. Are you aware of the dangers of cfl light bulbs? Mercury poisoning (also known as hydrargyria or mercurialism) is a type of metal poisoning and a medical condition caused […] This results in "flicker". But they also contain mercury – a dangerous toxin. Please take a look at our Broken Fluorescent Light Bulb Cleanup page for more The compact fluorescent lamp/light (CFL) bulbs contain mercury, which can get released into the atmosphere when these bulbs are broken. This mercury can be dangerous if ingested, especially by smaller children. UV In Our Atmosphere. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use dramatically less energy than incandescent bulbs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fluorescent light bulbs, both compact and regular, are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs because they produce light differently. The energy efficiency of CFLs may be significant, but unlike traditional light bulbs, there is a hidden danger sealed inside each little bulb that requires special handling and disposal. In short, the exposure from breaking a compact fluorescent bulb is in about the same range as the exposure from eating a can or two of tuna fish. Bulbs that are taped together run the risk of breaking. She has created a stockpile of incandescents, she says, and will hold out as long as she can. Our atmosphere blocks out harmful high-energy radiation like x-rays, gamma rays and most of the ultraviolet rays.The atmosphere also absorbs most of the infrared radiation which reaches the Earth from space. 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