Photo by Suzie Brown
The truth about CFL light globes and mercury
Lighting represents around 12 per cent of Australia’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason compact fluorescent light globes (CFL) are a welcome introduction into the domestic market.
They reduce energy usage by about 25 per cent and last longer than the incandescent globe. In fact many Australians have already been using these light globes for years.
According to Choice magazine (October 2007):
“A lifecycle analysis of CFLs published last year in The Environmental Engineer concluded that CFLs are the better choice for the environment, mainly because of their much more efficient use of electricity. As for the mercury they release at the end of their life, the analysis found that the production of incandescent lamps contributes five times more mercury from burning coal for electricity. This was even the case in Tasmania, where hydroelectricity dominates, although involving much smaller quantities”.
With a mandatory phase out of energy hungry incandescent light globes set for 2010, the spotlight is now shining on the environmentally friendly compact fluorescent lightglobe (CFL) replacement.
Although concerns have been raised about the mercury contained in the globe, in reality CFLs contain only a tiny amount of mercury (3–5 mg), equivalent in size to the tip of a ball-point pen, or about a fifth of that found in a watch battery. It’s in a gaseous form, but because it is sealed in glass tubing, it is not dangerous in normal use. If dropped it could pose a minor risk for infants and pregnant women.
To reduce this small risk, handle globes carefully when installing and hold the CFL by its base. According to the Department of Human Services, if it does break, open a window, leave the room for 15 minutes and turn off central heating/cooling. Then pick up glass and any powder with stiff cardboard or paper (do not sweep or vacuum) and put in a glass jar or sealed plastic bag. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up small glass fragments and powder then wipe with a damp cloth. Dispose in two tied bags, so it doesn’t contaminate landfill.
If you want to dispose of a CFL responsibly when it has reached the end of its life, wrap it in newspaper and bag it. Store it carefully and contact your council for collection. Alternatively, go to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website to find a collection point in your state. You can also recycle CFLs at all IKEA stores. A recycler can safely recover and recycle the mercury, glass, phosphor and aluminium from lamps. Australian governments are examining the need for a national recycling scheme for compact fluorescent lamps and other fluorescent lamps.
The introduction of CFLs as mandatory is a welcome step. We should be careful to minimise the small risk from the mercury and look for future technological solutions in the case of breakage. The government should prioritise a national recycling scheme in order to make this a solution for the environment rather than creating another problem.