Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Toxic Landfill Fodder
The Center for Environmental Equity is trying to get the City of Portland’s attention about the danger compact fluorescent light bulbs have on the environment if they are not properly recycled. The Center estimates that 95% of these bulbs get thrown into dumps when they burn out which means all the mercury in them escapes into the ground and the water supply. Not a good place for this neurotoxin to end up. The increase in sales of these bulbs is what has prompted the center to voice its concern to the city – if 95% of the bulbs sold in the last years all go out at the same time, that will be a lot of mercury-bleeding bulbs contaminating the area.
The CEE is bringing to light one of the biggest downsides of fluorescent bulbs – the mercury. It is this main drawback that has so many pushing for the adoption of LED lights in a broader way, including city streets, municipal buildings and corporate locations. If we can grow their use to also include home applications, like your kitchen and bathroom fixtures, we can significantly reduce the potential for contaminated bulbs ending up in landfills. The Leflector M-16 replacement bulb is the start of such home LED light fixtures. Many more are sure to come on the market as the growing concerns over mercury rises.
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