Beware: There is Mercury in Your House

I read a brochure recently from the US Department of Energy, looking for tips on how to save energy and lower my household electric bill. There were great tips such as drying towels and heavy weight cottons in a separate load from lighter weight clothes. These are tips that truly make sense. However, as I read through the lighting section, it dawned on me, do people really know the risks involved with these new compact fluorescent bulbs? Sure they look really neat and eclectic in many light fixtures, but the risk doesn't seem to be worth the reward in homes with small children.

Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) contains mercury and require special disposal and clean up methods. Let's look at a scenario: you do your part to save energy and change all your standard bulbs to CFL bulbs. Your bill comes in the next few months and you see a $15 savings! A few months later, your son has a friend come over to visit. They decide, against your previous warnings, to toss a ball around the room. And then it happens. The ball gets out of control and hits a lamp, which tumbles against the wall and down to the floor. Your son did a great save! He saved the lamp, and only the bulb has broken. He runs to the garage and finds a new bulb and replaces it before you get home, as his friend vacuums the floor and tosses the broken bulb into the trash. You, as the parent, are none the wiser. Your family unknowingly has been exposed to mercury.

Unfortunately, breaking light bulbs is a common occurrence. A light bulb placed in the trash can be broken by heavier trash getting tossed on top of it. The question is, for $15.00 a month of savings, was it truly worth the risk to your family's health? According to the US National Library of Medicine, "Exposure to high levels can damage the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women can pass the mercury in their bodies to their babies. It is important to protect your family from mercury exposure."

Do you believe you don't have mercury in your house? Here are some places this element may be hiding:

• Thermometers
• Antiques (Barometers, Clock Pendulums, Mirrors, Organs)
• Some Button Cell Batteries
• Old Clothing Irons (nowadays, they no longer make mercury tilt switches on these)
• LCD Monitors (desktop and laptop)
• Jewelry (Certain necklaces imported from Mexico have glass pendants that contain mercury. The pendants come in various shapes such as hearts, bottles, balls, saber teeth, and chili-peppers.)
• Lamps and Light Bulbs (Fluorescent, germicidal, high-intensity discharge, ultraviolet lamps, and neon lights contain internal mercury vapor)
• Children's Light Up Shoes (The liquid mercury triggers an electrical connection that activates a light.) These are no longer made.
• Tilt Switches in many appliances

Mercury exists in the air, water, and soil. It is in the fish we eat, thermometers, dental fillings, and even batteries. Unfortunately, we can not completely protect ourselves from exposure. However, it stands to reason that we can reduce the risk. Products containing mercury should be replaced with products that do not. If the product does contain mercury and there isn't a bountiful alternative, then protect your family by educating them on proper handling and disposal.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry tells us, "Carefully handle and dispose of products that contain mercury, such as thermometers or fluorescent light bulbs. Do not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and increase exposure. If a large amount of mercury has been spilled, contact your health department. Teach children not to play with shiny, silver liquids."

There is a bountiful alternative to CFL bulbs, and that is standard light bulbs. In my household, I am not willing to take the risk of my son breaking a CFL bulb and being exposed. I have seen him break more than 6 light bulbs in his time, and I am sure he has broken more that I don't know about. Unfortunately, the US Department of Energy encourages the use of CFL lighting, to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. With children in the home, I believe we need to make this decision very carefully. According to Energy Star (A US EPA program), "Mercury currently is an essential component of CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use. Many manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products."

If you find that you have products containing mercury, be sure to visit the US Environmental Protection Agency's page on how to clean up and dispose of mercury products. Get away from the spill quickly and know exactly what to do or who to call before attempting to clean it up.

If you are pregnant, or you think you may be pregnant, be sure to look into the American Pregnancy Association's page on Mercury Levels in Sushi (and any other fish).

Resources:

• Energy Savers: Tips on Energy and Money at Home
• US National Library of Medicine
• Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances...
• EnergyStar FAQs: Information on CFLs and Mercury February 2008
• Table of Products that may Contain Mercury and Recommended Mgmt Options