Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) Dangers

You have probably heard, as I have, that it is energy efficient and therefore environmentally responsible to replace all incandescent bulbs with CFLs. But were you aware that there are real dangers associated with these things?

I probably would have already replaced all our bulbs with CFLs, except they don't fit into most of the light fixtures in this house. Thank God. Recently Andrew mentioned that he had heard something about them being dangerous, so this morning I did some research.

CFLs contain mercury. If they break inside your home (or while the garbage collectors are handling them), then the toxic vapor released into the air may cause damage to the nervous system damage, kidneys and liver. The mercury may also be absorbed through the skin or ingested accidentally.

Wouldn't it make sense to include consumer education about dangers and safe disposal in a big campaign for these things? This information comes as a great shock to me. Should it? Presumably the almighty buck reigns as usual.

I just looked at the packaging for a CFL I had in the cupboard and there is not one word of warning about the danger of heavy metal poisoning or safe cleanup in the event of breakage. There is not one word about safe disposal. These things are going to landfills, breaking, and sending toxic vapours into the environment.

The internet articles I've read seem to come in at somewhat opposite ends of the spectrum regarding the real danger of these things. This article says that any poisonous vapours dissipate quickly- within about an hour. Another article relays the story of a family who sealed off their daughter's bedroom for at least a month as they tried to work out how to "pay off a $2,000 estimate by a company specializing in environmentally sound cleanups of the mercury inside the bulb."

The Energystar web site publishes a CFL Cleanup and Disposal guideline document. The cleanup recommendations include:

- Leaving and airing out the room for at least 15 minutes. Shutting off central forced air systems.
- Scooping up mercury fragments with stiff paper or cardboard, and remaining smaller fragments with sticky tape such as duct tape.
- Not using a vaccuum cleaner, broom or mop for cleanup
- Disposing of mercury fragments in a glass jar or sealed plastic bag
- Wiping the area clean with a damp paper towel or wet wipe. This should also be placed in the jar or bag.

More details about cleanup and disposal in the document hyperlinked above.

Letter Factory and Storybook Factory

I can't recommend highly enough the LeapFrog videos Letter Factory and Storybook Factory (there is also one called Talking Words Factory but we don't own it). Eva loved them and learned her letters and their sounds very quickly by watching, and now Micah loves them too. Within 5-10 viewings he learned to recognize all the letters of the alphabet and say their phonics sound. He is big into letters these days.

He is also big into counting, and can count to twelve in English and in Spanish.

This is a fun time!