Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent less than their incandescent counterparts. Besides, this energy-saving light bulb lasts up to ten times longer and prevents over 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from polluting the atmosphere. A single CFL can save you more than $80 over its lifetime depending on local electric rates. Yet, the small amount of mercury contained in these CFLS has gotten numerous Americans to worry about their health and the environment.

This mercury allows the CFL light bulbs to be an efficient light source. CFLs contain an average of 4 milligrams of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury which equals to the amount of mercury in 125 CFLs! Besides, a Compact Fluorescent Light is responsible for 5 times less smokestack mercury emissions than an incandescent light bulb. On top of that, the average mercury content in CFLs has been dropping to 1.0-2.5 milligrams per light bulb. And yet, this very small amount of mercury is a major issue for most people.

Most mercury vapor inside CFLs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. What is left of the mercury – about 14 percent – is released into air or water when it is sent to a landfill and assuming the light bulb is broken. Let’s face it, the dangerous tons of mercury emissions which pollute the water and the fishes come from coal-fired electrical power, not CFLs.

The CFL might not be perfect but if you try not to break it and make sure to recycle it, it’s a great improvement over incandescent light bulbs. Indeed, if you recycle your CFLs properly, the mercury can be recaptured. Remember mercury is an element found naturally in the environment. It is not a deadly virus! Mercury emissions in the air come from both natural and man-made sources. The use of CFLs reduces power demand, which helps reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Overall, CFLs result in less mercury in the environment in comparison to traditional light bulbs. If handled carefully and recycled, there should be no problems for your health or the environment. CFL light bulbs come second in the environmental winner energy-saving light bulbs’ list! It’s a great green alternative before Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) become more affordable.

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