Mercury In Light Bulbs

Yes, it is true, there is mercury in some of those spiral looking energy saving light bulbs (as well as those long tube like fluorescent bulbs). Typically the spirally, curly bulbs have about 5 milligrams of mercury. Which is about the size of a ball point pen. And generally speaking the "old" fever thermometers contained much higher amounts. People are worried that the breaking and improper disposal of so many bulbs will release so much unwanted mercury back into our environment. And this is true.

After some major research on my part, the energy saved while using these special bulbs reduces such an amazing amount of electrical energy, the risk is almost worth it. Hear me out. First, we must educate people how to properly dispose of them, which is to take them to your local recycler that accepts fluorescent bulbs. Some retailers like Ikea and Ace Hardware will take them for you and dispose of properly. (also see wiki on "How to Recycle CFLs": http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/how-to-recycle-cfls) Secondly, we must realize that our conventional production of electricity (coal burning plants) itself releases massive amounts of mercury into our environment each year. We're talking 48 tons or more per year. Third, approxamitaly 95% of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses is given off as heat. If you have several of these bulbs going in one space, you can see where the need to run your a/c may increase, thus using even more engery. As you can see, when we save electricity by using CLF (spirally) bulbs we are in turn reducing the mercury output by our electric companies, and by adding proper disposal of the bulbs, we are doing much less harm. You can also find mercury in some types of fever thermometers & wall thermostats commonly found at home.


However, there are safe(r) options for the spirally types. (I'm still investigating the tube "garage" types and will update). GE is looking into reducing the amounts of mercury in their bulbs to 1 milligram and Phillips at 2 milligrams. There are rumors of companies who make mercury free energy saving bulbs, but I can't find them online yet. If I do, I'll edit this info. Here is another chance to vote with your dollar, choose those with very little or (if you can find them,) zero mercury and let's make the more toxic ones obsolete. And if you hate the color the CFL's give off, try http://greenliteusa.com/ who makes a color corrected spiral bulb and also CFL's that can be on a dimmer. Some companies are coming out with what they call an Eco-Friendly CFL, but don't be fooled. If it has mercury in it, no matter how minute, it's not eco-friendly, it's just eco-friendlier.

Another bulb on the horizon for home use, still a bit pricey though, is the LED light. Here's an interesting graph I found on Earthtech.com

Life Span & Energy Saving Benefits of LED Light Bulbs vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs

Incandescent 60 Watt Light Bulb Earthtech 2 Watt LED Light Bulb

Life Span:

How long will the light bulb last? 1,000 hours 60,000 hours


How many bulbs used over 60,000 hour period 60 bulbs Only 1 bulb


Bulb cost over 60,000 hours $40.20 (60 bulbs at .67 cents each)$39.99 (1 bulb)

Electricity Usage:

kWh of electricity used over 60,000 hours. 3600 kWh 120 kWh

Cost of Electricity:

60,000 hours at 10¢ per kWh $360.00$12.00


Total Cost After 60,000 hours $400.20 $51.99


Total Savings:
Money saved by installing one Earthtech LED Light Bulb Total Savings
$348.21 per bulb!

Led Light Bulb Benefits

Save money in electricity costs
Instant on/off

Light the color of daylight
Works in cold weather

Use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL)
Can sustain moderate power surges

Long lasting - up to 60,000 hour bulb life
Durable bulbs with no fragile filaments to break from shaking and rattling

Cool running (warm to the touch) - little heat compared to standard bulbs
Directional lighting generates less wasted light

Works with sensor activated lights (CFL bulbs are not recomended for sensors)
Works with most dimmer switches (CFL bulbs are not recomended for dimmers)


Here are some ways you can cut your electricity usage, thus decreasing the amount of mercury released into our environment each year.


Switch over to those funny shaped spiral bulbs and dispose of them properly, or use LED lights (especially the LED x-mas lights. look in your town for old light recycling.)

Line dry your laundry.

Switch to a solar water heater.

Support alternative energy (wind, solar, hydro)

Purchase only Energy Star appliances.

Un-plug all major appliances when not in use, including computer and tv. You can go as far as flicking the breaker for plugs you can't reach. Idle appliances use "vampire" electricity when in sleep mode. Even when your t.v. is "off" it's really just sleeping, still sucking some electricity from the outlet.