Did you know that you can find Mercury not only in Energy Efficient Bulbs, but even HDTV’s and even some Computer Monitors?

More surprisingly you can even find trace amounts of Mercury in Fish! So what does all of this mean?

Mercury occurs naturally in the environment, and its also known as quicksilver

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury

Mercury is an essential element in the operation of fluorescent lighting; it allows the bulbs to be an efficient light source. Because CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, it is important to educate yourself on proper use, recycling and disposal of these products.

The Facts about CFLs and Mercury

· Because CFLs use less electricity than traditional light bulbs (about 75%) , they reduce demand for electricity; that reduction means less mercury is emitted from power plants.

· CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury — an average of 4 milligrams in each bulb. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury.

· No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use.

Why the EPA, DOE, Number One Lighting and others are promoting the use of CFLs

CFLs use significantly less energy than traditional light bulbs (75% less). If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 800,000 cars. And even though CFLs contain a small amount of mercury that could ultimately end up in the environment, that amount is significantly less than the amount of mercury avoided as a result of the energy savings

It happens to even the best of us. That Fluorescent Bulb has finally made it to its last days, now what? All fluorescent bulbs, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Plug-in Fluorescents included have trace amounts of Mercury. Mercury is an essential component in many energy-efficient light bulbs. The two most common bulbs that contain mercury are Fluorescent bulbs (Fluorescent tubes, Circline, and CFL Bulbs) and High Intensity Discharge Bulbs (Mercury Vapor, High Pressure Sodium, and Metal Halide).

And although lighting manufactures have greatly reduced the amount of mercury used (about 5 milligrams is used or about 1/100^th of the amount of mercury found in a mercury thermometer) in lighting over the past 20 years, they still need trace amounts to allow for energy-efficient lighting.

But proper disposal of Fluorescent lights and High Intensity Discharge bulbs are very important, especially with their effect to the environment. And it is simple and easy; just check your state laws on how to properly dispose of your Compact Fluorescent, Fluorescent Tubes, Electric and Magnetic Ballasts, even High Intensity Discharge Bulbs.

Thank you from Number One Lighting for properly disposing of all of your lighting.