CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lights) and Environmental Issues

CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs are considered an ecological substitute for incandescent lamps. But are they really as good for the environment as claimed? The two questions often raised as arguments against the use of the FCA are

1 - It takes more energy to produce a CFL than an incandescent lamp.

2 - CFL's contain mercury that may eventually end up polluting the environment.

The first question is easy enough to answer even if they doneed for additional energy production, which is quickly overcome as CFLs last much longer than the incandescent bulb.

On the issue of mercury pollution I summarized some of the pros and cons of the views below:

Arguments For CFL

Global emissions of mercury from CFLs is less mercury emitted into the atmosphere by coal-fired power for an equivalent incandescent lamp during the same period. This hypothesisis based on electricity to run lighting in your local area is generated by coal fired power plants. Although the current (2007) the case in Australia of many places in the world now produce their electricity by other means greener.



Mercury from compact fluorescent lamps used in landfills is not released into the air and proper disposal will not be released into the subsoil or groundwater.



The mercury content of CFLs that use25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 6 mg per unit (which is offered in the United States)



Because CFLs longer cycle life bulbs less packaging ends up in landfill.

Arguments against the CFL

Many places in the world produce little energy from coal power plants (including California). In coal the United States are now required to reduce their mercury emissions by between 70% and 90%. The mercury problem ismay become more important than power generation becomes cleaner and CFLs are more prevalent.



The 6 mg of mercury claimed for CFL is largely a goal at present and not the current reality.



A large number of CFL are made in China with energy from coal power plants.



CFL are delivered here on ships using bunker oil, the worst mercury producer of fuel oil.



There are currently veryRecycling program in place or not planned to handle the number of CFL is proposed.

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