Long life bulbs, amazing info

Legacy_user · 5 January 2008 at 4:09PM

This morning I saw a report about long life bulbs. It seems that if you break one in your house, the room you break the bulb in should be evacuated for about 15 mins. Further to that, if one of your bulbs requires replacing, you are not allowed to put it in your bin.

It seems they contain mercury. By now, councils should have instructed us how they should be disposed of.

lilias · 5 January 2008 at 5:08PM

Apparantly CFL bulbs should be recycled. If you live near an Ikea you can dispose of them there. Other stores are going to have to start offering the same service.

msmicawber · 5 January 2008 at 5:14PM

I also heard a report on this, but the expert I heard said that if you broke one bulb in a room that was OK, though you should use a vacuum cleaner to pick up the bits rather than use your hands to avoid coming into contact with any mercury. He reckoned if you broke 5 bulbs in one room then it should be evacuated and aired for 15 minutes.

Browntoa · 5 January 2008 at 5:23PM

your mouth is full of fillings full of mercury

I wonder if this is just a slight over reaction on the media's part

Biggles · 5 January 2008 at 5:38PM

Actually, it says 'a vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris'.

But I agree, huge overreaction, pounced eagerly on by the anti-CFL brigade.

I've been smashing 'dead' fluorescent tubes and putting them in the bin in offices I've worked in for decades and shall carry on putting CFLs in the bin till there's any convenient alternative.

Roll on LEDs (till they think of something against them).

Edit: It only just occurred to me: what on earth has this got to do with Silver Saver MoneySaving?

Farway · 5 January 2008 at 6:34PM

I saw the same report, I am with Biggles on this, yet another over hyped scare story.

I also spent many years smashing tubes & binning them, and will also continue putting dead CFLs in bin, along with batteries that I am supposed to take 10 miles to dispose of them

The expert also pointed out there is lead in filament lamps, yet no one goes on & on about this

System · 5 January 2008 at 8:29PM

Being the O/P of this, I agree, what has this to do with the over 50's. Simple answer is "not a lot". BUT, as we, the older generation are being geared up to these things to save money, I felt that many would welcome the information.

It has been a success already. Simply because clearly there IS an issue and clearly between we few, we have varying opinions as to what was said and what we should do.

LittleVoice · 5 January 2008 at 11:14PM

Biggles wrote: »

Actually, it says 'a vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris'.

Yes, definitely the statement on Radio 4 this morning was not to use a vacuum cleaner. The way to clear it would be with a dustpan and brush.

EdInvestor · 6 January 2008 at 12:26AM

Today's news is a link between these bulbs and skin problems including cancer. :eek:

Stephen_Leak · 6 January 2008 at 5:13AM

So, let me get this straight ... Its not safe to use a vacuum cleaner and a low-energy light in the same room for more than 15 minutes.

I'll get my coat.

WishI'dReadSooner · 6 January 2008 at 5:39AM

I bet you lot all remember at school in the Chemistry labs playing with the mercury - using your fingers of course! I do! Played with it for many hours.

I also worked in labs using MANY chemicals in abundance that have since been banned totally. I've not popped my clogs yet. Although I'm sure my health has been somewhat compromised.

Personally I think this is media hype. Be aware but don't get paranoid about it!

Long life bulbs, amazing info

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