We have known for centuries that mercury is poisonous. It is particularly dangerous to women and babies. The good news is that we have come a long way in technology that would help lower or eliminate mercury emissions.
So, you might ask, what about the push to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs when CFLs contain mercury? Glad you asked...
Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average
home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less
energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer,
cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment.
CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed
within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams (mg). By comparison, older
thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the
mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb
to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are
intact (not broken) or in use.
Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their
fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment
from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average
mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent or more in the past
several years. Some manufacturers have even made further reductions, dropping
mercury content to 1 mg per light bulb.
EPA estimates the U.S. is responsible for the release of
103 metric tons1 of mercury emissions each year. More than half of these
emissions come from coal-fired electrical power. Mercury released into the air
is the main way that mercury gets into water and bio-accumulates in fish.
(Eating fish contaminated with mercury is the main way for humans to be
exposed.)
Most mercury vapor inside
fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is
used. EPA estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 11
percent2 – is released into air or water when it is sent to a landfill,
assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 272 million CFLs3 sold in
2009 were sent to a landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would
add 0.12 metric tons, or 0.12 percent, to U.S. mercury emissions caused by
humans.
Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions
in the U.S. CFLs use less electricity than incandescent lights, meaning CFLs
reduce the amount of mercury into the environment. As shown in the table below,
a 13-watt, 8,000-rated-hour-life CFL (60-watt equivalent; a common light bulb
type) will save 376 kWh over its lifetime, thus avoiding 4.3 mg of mercury. If
the bulb goes to a landfill, overall emissions savings would drop a little, to
3.9 mg. EPA recommends that CFLs are recycled where possible, to maximize
mercury savings.
Because CFLs also help to reduce greenhouse gasses,
other pollutants associated with electricity production, and landfill waste
(because the bulbs last longer), they are clearly the environmental winner when
compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs.
