Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

OmaLinda — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:25:04 GMT

We purchased several of Dr. Mercola's CFL bulbs several years ago, not realizing that they contained mercury. This morning one of them finally burned out with a loud pop, and when it did, it released very strong fumes throughout the bathroom. Was this mercury that my family inhaled with the fumes from the bulb? I'm thinking of removing the rest of the bulbs before they burn out and replacing them with the old incandescent bulbs . . . I'd rather pay a higher electric bill and not be exposed to mercury every time a bulb burns out.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Lisa Sig — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:56:18 GMT

I refuse to bring these bulbs into my home again. I did so under a year ago before I knew they contained mercury and that my sons were mercury poisoned (I don't know the source). I take issue with the note that Dr. Mercola makes about the lights having much less than the old thermometers, they were discontinued for a reason.

I also disagree that anyone responsible enough to buy a CFL is likely to dispose of them properly. I know a number of people that buy them because they are cost efficient. And when they burn out - they throw them in the trash. I'm all for an alternative but mercury containing sources are not an option for me.The light they gave off was horrid too. I fully intend to have skids full of incandescents before they are banned.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Vegamite Sandwich — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:35:17 GMT

Quite an astonishing variety of comments. But look, fluourescents have always had mercury in them - in the form of mercury vapor - because some kind of metal is needed to conduct electricity. That's just the physics of it. I don't know of any other metal vapor that would work for this kind of lighting. I agree with the Doctor - if CFLs will cut lighting energy use by say 50%, then they will reduce the overall amount of mercury going into the environment. If we all dispose of them properly! What's the big deal about saving the old bulbs for the next trip to Home Depot? It's ridiculous to suggest anyone has to make a special trip to recycle some bulbs. We should already have the recycling habit, right? We already do personal recycling of paper, plastic, metal, and glass, right?

I have a set of six 48" Verilux Full Spectrum bulbs I bought over 20 years ago for an art studio, and they are still going strong. They ended my headaches too. They have mercury in them of course, but I personally think that's a fair price to pay for the wonderful light they produce. The fact they have lasted so long means I haven't bought any more bulbs over that whole period of time, which has reduced my mercury footprint. And they really do feel like the light from a north facing skylight. They were far more than regular fluourescents were, but, like everything else, you usually do have to pay more (initially) to get better quality. Organic, grass fed, RO filtered, full-spectrum, ergonomic - they all cost more!

As far as CFLs being made in China and the end of the American way of life... how much do you think the bulbs would end up costing if they were made here in the US, where they'd have to pay American wages? Can't have low prices and made in the US anymore, I'm afraid. (That's only one reason the US Auto makers are going under) The manufacturers are just doing what the rest of us do - we shop where we can get the best price usually. Well, they are going where they can get the best labor and material costs. That's the free market, people. Can't complain on the one hand about the government taking away our choice of bulbs to buy, and on the other hand demand that the government take away the manufacturers' choices of where to make their products. This is a vicious cycle and it is now accelerating. Of course, when China's average standard of living approaches equality with ours, then there won't be any large cheap labor pools left on the planet, and then inflation will really hit. But the world will likely be out of oil by then. The only thing likely to slow manufacturing overseas is not the government, but if the energy costs to ship things to America become too high. 1 gallon of diesel moves the average container ship an astonishing 37 FEET!!! That's Feet Per Gallon... Then we'll likely see more manufacturing in South America, Mexico, maybe Canada. If fuel costs continue to rise then you'll see globalization becoming less profitable. So if you want to end globalization, pray for higher fuel costs... :)

The only way the American Way of Life will end is if we let it end, by surrendering our right to be innovators and thinkers and inventors and entrepreneurs - if we let ourselves personally grow lazy and fat and unproductive.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Jonathan B — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:05:58 GMT

I am one of the individuals that can hear flourescent bulbs make noise, but I am also someone who has been tested by an audiologist and found to have the hearing range of a three year old, due to the fact I did not listen to music when I grew up as a kid or even as a teen, and never used ear jacks either.

My biggest bef with these bulbs, though is the blink of the bulbs, which I can also perceive, which makes me feel twitchy, and I have the same problem at work when working with standard large flourescent bulbs.

I have gotten into the habit of not even using a lot of incandescent lighting at home, but using natural light from my windows until late at night, and using reading lights when I read.

I think I would be willing to pay 50 or more per LED bulb, because I like the light that comes from the LED flashlights I own.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Micheal — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:42:15 GMT

Another thing to consider is the environmental impact in disposing all those fluorescent light bulbs when it comes to the amount of material.

A classic light bulb has a little bit of glass, a little bit of metal, and a few wires. That's it. Glass is inert. FL consists of much more material, including lots of plastic, electronic circuitry, the already-mentioned mercury, and other elements to make it glow. Plastic may never decompose, and it may leach toxic chemicals. Manufacturing of FL is also more involved, producing more pollution and taking more energy.

People, let's think before we endorse whatever. We need to ask questions, and look at the bigger picture. Just because something looks good on the surface doesn't mean it's really positive when honestly examined. Oh, and FL create also fire hazard - the circuitry in the bulbs can malfunction and there melts the plastic... Cheers, Micheal

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

waterfall — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:38:38 GMT

We are being brainwashed into buying CFL bulbs exactly the same way deadly fluoride has been sold to us as an additive to toothpaste. I "bought" the hype and was one of the first to purchase them--they DO NOT ever

last as long as the package claims, and have had one last less than one month. It doesn't matter if they look like they are built sturdily--I have had one separate near the base and release vapor into the room while in use. Several have separated when I was replacing the bulb. As far as I am concerned, LED bulbs may be the answer, but CFL bulbs are a bad idea--probably the mercury industry trying to pull a "fluoride" on us.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

factorygirl — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:30:07 GMT

These bulbs are made in China where there are no environmental standards and no safety standards for workers. So only America's air quality and environment are important? Wake up people! Quit buying this crap and supporting overseas operations! GE has closed many factories here in the U.S. Our middle class will completely be eliminated soon, but big business and CEO's will only become richer. Unfair trade practices and slave labor will diminish our American way of life.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Micheal — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:00:50 GMT

I have conducted muscle-strength testing standing below fluorescent lights (in a hallway of an office building) and standing away from the

lights. Very clearly my body didn't like the fluorescent lights. Now, that was my test, and was not repeated with anyone else. Mercury is a very strong neuro-toxin. Do we really consciously understand how the energy field (vibrations) that mercury produces (even though it might be encased in glass) affect our own energy field? What happens when mercury is excited by the high voltage in the fluorescent bulbs? Does it spew out nasty vibrations, or not? Ever tried to take a low-frequency EMF meter and measure the strength of EMFs produced by fluorescent bulbs? I did - it's very high, well over the limit considered safe. (However, it's possible that Dr. Mercola's light bulbs don't have this issue due to the electronic ballast.) Almost no EMFs are produced by incandescent lights. And, Dr. Mercola, just because coal burning power plants create more mercury pollution doesn't justify the creation of other mercury pollution sources. The answer is getting away from coal burning power plants to other more environmentally friendly sources (and the technologies exist),

and reducing the real energy wastage sources: office buildings that leave their lights on all the time; billboards; TV and movie studios; street lighting that stays on even during daylight; newspaper printers; etc. Dr. Mercola, do you think that by replacing incandescent lights with fluorescent lights the government will close coal-burning power plants? And what will Home Depot do with all the collected fluorescent lights? Will they construct a special plant to break mercury into something harmless? Or will they give them to...to whom?

To do what with them? Who will pay for that extra, earth-friendly mercury disarmament? Well, I certainly do wish that someone does.

Do you know, Dr. Mercola, or are you just riding a feel-good train? Cheers, Micheal

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Leslieannevt — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:15:48 GMT

One of the reasons that they are said to be so much more economical is because they are heavily subsidized by surcharges on our electric bills. When all the rebates and giveaways are gone, see how "cheap" they are! I had some years before it became fashionable, in the basement and areas like that, but I much prefer regular bulbs for reading, etc. Plus I think they trigger migraines! I am stockpiling lightbulbs like crazy!

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

DizzyIzzy1 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:11:49 GMT

I cannot stand these bulbs, and I can't understand the lack of outcry from certain groups.

They have really major effects on certain people - I know some epileptics find the flicker can trigger seizures, I have two friends who get migraines from them, and I personally find the sound drives me mad and if I'm in a room with them for very long I end up with a horrendous headache and sore eyes too, along with general achiness after hours with them on. The sound sensitivity is due to Aspergers, the rest I think is just general intolerence. I understand people with MCS often struggle with them as well?

I for one will be stocking up hugely on incandescent lights until such time as LED's become cheaper and more affordable, if ever they do.

Surely there should be allowances made for those of us with geniune health reasons for not wanting these stupid things?

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Vermont Wren — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:40:17 GMT

But he represents my way of thinking and plenty more. We aren't sheep and don't want to herded. I vote for more sky lights and turning in early and no homework for the kids! (for those silly enough to feed them into the public shearing (school) system.

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Vermont Wren — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:34:21 GMT

I am also "The People", one, but one of many. We don't need the Guvmint for our Nanny. Yes, like Dr Rik, there will be those who do need a nanny.

Yoked to China for lamplight? We've got to be kidding! What beside of mercury might they think to spike in those bulbs or the wrap?

Yup, we're being gotten from within. Wake up!

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

cyr4su — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:45:33 GMT

we had no idea mercury

was in this light bulb,

200 times more than immunizations?

what about that scientist that got one drop of mercury on her hand and she died.

THANKS MERCOLA FOR THE INFORMATION. LOVE YOU LOTS

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

cyr4su — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:40:17 GMT

If man made it. watch out.

we need to go to bed early

so why don't we just

keep the lights for emergency.

I found a solar

flashlight that works real good.

are there any health risks to solar?

re: Home Depot Recycles Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

sheepdog74 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:36:47 GMT

Last year we decided to replace all the bulbs in our house with CF bulbs. With all of the lamps and fixtures, both inside and out, we bought 3 dozen bulbs and threw out all of our old bulbs. We had the misconception, as many have, that the bulbs would actually last several thousand hours and that the long life span and low energy consumption would more than make up for the large up-front cost.

A little over a year later, EVERY ONE of the 3 dozen CF bulbs has burned out and been thrown away. The longest lasting bulb didn't even last a year, and most of our lights are on for less than an hour a day.

The bulbs are, without a doubt, a waste of money.

I see the people jumping on the CF bandwagon being like the people who jump on the Prius bandwagon. Both are pop culture, lacking in science or fact. Just like the Humvee uses less energy per mile over it's life span than a Prius does (Google humvee more efficient than prius), CF bulbs cost WAY more in the real world than incandescent bulbs, create more waste, and toxic waste to boot.

PLEASE think, people. Don't accept mantras spouted by the media that end up giving our freedoms away to the government with no real benefit to us.