Compact Flourescent Bulbs - NOT kryptonite; a bright idea!

Thank you to all who visited us at the Home Show and Expo this past Saturday April 12.  The expo brought hordes of people out to receive one of the free compact fluorescent light bulbs we were offering to Arlington Residents. 

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are one simple nonsensical way you can lower your utility bill and reduce your emissions.  These bulbs use approximately 75% less power than a traditional incandescent and last up to 10 times longer.

What’s that you say?  But they are toxic and full of mercury – hardly?!  The media has stirred up quite a frenzy on the topic.  Here is the real story on compact fluorescent light bulbs.

They do indeed contain a small amount of mercury. On average they contain about 5mg of the stuff.   5 mg of mercury is equivalent to the size of the period at the end of this sentence.  That is a fraction of the amount of mercury they use in amalgam fillings for your teeth that reside IN YOUR MOUTH! 

CFL bulbs are far more rugged than a traditional bulb and the reality is there are many toxic substances in our homes.  From bleach and cleaning chemicals, mercury tilt switches in thermostats, paint, antifreeze, gasoline, etc.  CFL bulbs should be disposed of just as any other household hazardous waste AND NOW ARLINGTON IS MAKING IT EASIER TO DO SO!

Starting today (4/28/08) Arlington County has implemented a program for you to drop your old CFL bulbs off at the locations below.  SImply put any unbroken bulb in a zip lock bag and bring it to any of the locations below:

• Arlington’s semi-annual E-CARE recycling events in April and October
• The circulation desk at one of three Arlington libraries: the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street), Aurora Hills Library (735 S. 18th Street), or Government Reference Library (2100 Clarendon Blvd, 1st floor lobby).

• HHM recycling station at the Water Pollution Control Plant on Saturdays and by appointment Monday-Friday.
• Solid Waste Bureau at 4300 South 29th Street 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.

Lastly, please take a look at our CFL fact sheet.  There are significant benefits to both the environment in reduced mercury expelled from coal fired power plants and to your utility bills by using these compact fluorescent bulbs.  Arlington County encourages all residents to use these bulbs and dispose of them properly.  If you have questions please contact us at->  climate@Arlingtonva.us

Comments

[Adam SegMoss]

While the ADA may support and disclaim the amalgam filling as 'safe', the FDA states otherwise. Misinformation is certainly not the goal, but rather education and awareness.

The FDA has clearly stated that "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses,".

See item #3 in the link below:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080605/sc_nm/fda_dentalfillings_dc

[bobArlington]

Ah -- lets not engage in miss information, shall we? (1) From the ADA, "Although dental amalgam continues to be a safe, commonly used restorative material, some concern has been raised because of its mercury content. However, the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth." That is NOT TRUE of the mercury in the lightbulb. The lightbulb breaks, you have a toxic spill -- although a small one -- in your house. (2) I dont know about your Golfer, er, I mean Dentist, but mine has clearly moved away from Amalgum fillings. You wanna make an argument, fine - but mercury is an environmental concern so let's not make invalid assertions.

[bobArlington]

Ah -- lets not engage in miss information, shall we? (1) From the ADA, "Although dental amalgam continues to be a safe, commonly used restorative material, some concern has been raised because of its mercury content. However, the mercury in amalgam combines with other metals to render it stable and safe for use in filling teeth." That is NOT TRUE of the mercury in the lightbulb. The lightbulb breaks, you have a toxic spill -- although a small one -- in your house. (2) I dont know about your Golfer, er, I mean Dentist, but mine has clearly moved away from Amalgum fillings. You wanna make an argument, fine - but mercury is an environmental concern so let's not make invalid assertions.