The Incandescent Lightbulb

[Vincent Vega]

We got a couple of free CFLs in the mail today. The advertising sounds promising enough, but I can't help but think they're a little weaker than the incandescents. And what's all this I hear http://forum.interference.com/newreply.php?s=&action=newreply&postid=4860245
U2 Feedback - Reply to Topicabout them containing mercury? That can't be good.

About 5mg of mercury, not that much. For example, if in Germany all CFL's were replaced by incandescents the coal used to power those lamps would emit 4.5 tons of mercury per year. But it's a reason not to give a CFL to normal waste.

When you switch on the light its weaker, but pretty quickly it's about as good as incandescents.
If you need exceptionally good light you would be better off with other bulbs, but for normal use a CFL should do.

 

[ntalwar]

There are dos and dont's in cleaning up a broken cfl bulb:

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes.

Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.

Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands).

Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.

Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.

Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it.

If your state permits you to put used or broken fluorescent light bulbs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available).

Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent

http://www.pnl.gov/rlamps/cflcleanup.stm