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Featured: Fluorescent bulbs: Safe CFL use in your home.
Most of us have at least a few CFL, or compact fluorescent bulbs, in our homes. For many reasons, CFLs are considered to be an environmental and efficient choice for our homes. They use about 75% less energy than a standard bulb, and they last about ten times as long.
However, the bulbs contain mercury, which is a toxic metal that builds up in our bodies and persists in the environment. Its health effects include impaired physical and mental development in fetuses and babies, and harm to the nervous system, lungs and kidneys.
For the most part, CFL use is safe and great for the environment when they are handled properly and disposed of properly. The mercury in the bulbs only escapes upon breakage, and they are not harmful to use in your home on a daily basis.
Disposing of intact CFLs
When a CFL burns out and is still intact, it should be disposed of properly. This is because breakage could occur while the bulb is in the trash or in a landfill, causing issues for workers who are nearby and affect the environment. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality estimates that over 6 million CFLs are disposed of each year in Oregon. That is a lot of possible release of mercury.
There are several locations in Oregon where you can take your dead bulbs:
- Both Lowe's and Home Depot will take your bulbs.
- In Portland, you can take them to a Metro hazardous waste facility location.
- You can check Earth911.com for other locations in Oregon.
What to do when a CFL breaks
Special precautions need to be taken in your home when a CFL breaks. The EPA recommends the following steps:
- Have everyone leave the room, and air it out for 5-10 minutes. Turn off air-conditioning and heating so that the mercury doesn't distribute throughout the house.
- Scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper and cardboard (all materials used during this process should be disposed of after use), scooping into a glass jar with a metal lid.
- Use duct tape to pick up the remaining shards and powder. Place the tape into the jar.
- Wipe down the area with damp paper towels and place into the jar.
- Don't vacuum if you can help it. If you need to vacuum, then the bag should be disposed of after use.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Continue to air out the room for several hours.
- Contact your county hazardous waste facility and ask how to dispose of the broken bulb and contaminated materials.
The EPA's cleanup guide also has specific instructions (pdf) for cleaning up broken CFLs on carpeting or rugs.
The amount of mercury in each CFL bulb is small, but since it is a toxic metal that can build up in our systems and can be especially harmful to children, it's best to take the most precautions possible when handling the bulbs.
Featured: OR Insurance Division providing educational webinars
The Insurance Division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has launched an online Outreach page which will provide webinars and online town halls to educate consumers about key insurance topics.
The first webinar is 30 minutes in length, and addresses health insurance issues faced by families of children with special needs.
The Division says that upcoming webinar topics will include long-term care, small business and the Affordable Care Act, and auto insurance myths and facts.
