Why Are Fluorescent Light Bulbs Hazardous Waste?

Fluorescent light bulbs have been used for nearly a century because of their efficiency. Instead of using heat to light an area, fluorescent bulbs agitate mercury vapor to create light. Fluorescent lights are more expensive initially, but they use less electricity, and their lower cost generally make them an economical alternative to incandescent bulbs. The lower operating costs also make them attractive environmentally, but that may be offset by the presence of mercury, a toxic substance.

Dangers

• Fluorescent light bulbs contain only a small amount of mercury, usually between 3.5 and 15 milligrams. Even so, mercury is a highly toxic element that's been linked to neurological problems, particularly in small children. Humans can be exposed to toxic levels of mercury through food, water or airborne sources. At least 3,000 people either died or suffered severe neurological damage in Japan between 1932 and 1968 as a result of the Chisos Corp.'s dumping of mercury into Minamata Bay.

Hazardous Waste

• Most fluorescent light bulbs that are thrown away wind up either in a landfill or incinerated, releasing small amounts of mercury when the bulbs are broken. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates 670 million fluorescent light bulbs are thrown away every year, releasing 2 to 4 tons of mercury into the environment.

Food Chain

• When mercury is released into the environment, it generally winds up in the food chain. One of the most common means of mercury exposure is through fish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that pregnant women, nursing mothers and small children avoid eating fish that have high mercury levels. Usually, fish at the higher ends of the food chain such as sharks and swordfish contain the most mercury.

Airborne Dangers

• A 2008 study by the Maine Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management found that a broken compact fluorescent lamp could release as much as 100,000 nanograms per cubic meter, far more than the average ambient level of 300 nanograms per cubic meter. The Maine study recommended against using a vacuum cleaner to remove broken glass and instead suggests ventilating the room for several hours, picking up the glass with dustpans and tape for finer particles. The study also advises against using fluorescent bulbs in rooms used by small children or pregnant women.

Recycling

• Some states require fluorescent light bulbs to be recycled rather than thrown away. Most waste-handling agencies will accept the bulbs for recycling, although they may charge a small fee. Almost every part of a fluorescent light, from the glass tube to mercury, can be recycled and reused. If a bulb is broken, it's best to put it into a small, airtight container or bag to avoid exposure.