There was a lady in Atlanta who was very concerned about saving energy and while at the same time, reducing her costs. It seemed like a worthy objective.
The lady bought a package of light bulbs that have a swirling filament so that they look like a little white glass corkscrew. They are called CFL's (compact florescent lights). They cost $20.00 for a package of 6. By my calculation, that makes the cost for a 100 watt bulb about $3.33. I think "regular soft white bulbs" cost between $1.00 and $1.50 each. The "energy savings" come from a CFL bulb that uses 75% less energy and last 6 times longer than a regular bulb. What a deal!
So where is the story? Well, CFL's contain a small amount mercury sealed within the glass tubing. If you read the directions, they require special handling for disposal because mercury is a hazardous material. The lady was replacing a ceiling light bulb when she dropped it and it smashed on the floor. She had read instructions and she was concerned about how to clean up the broken light bulb. She called her local waste management agency for some help. They immediately told her not to try to clean up the floor herself. The local agency called in a hazardous waste management team (I think it is called HASMET) and they showed up in "moon suits". The room was sealed off for several days and special equipment and cleaning supplies were used. The team finally left. It seems like a lot of action for a light bulb.
The lady received an invoice in the mail from her local waste management agency for $2001. That was the expense they incurred for the hazardous waste clean-up.
Now let me see. The lady bought a little fluorescent light bulb for $3.33 to save money and ends up spending over $2000. We need more savings like that. It sounds like a savings hell.
My question is this! Why would you introduce a product into the home environment that has the potential for harming the family? If mercury is hazardous, then find another material.
The lesson Grasshoppers is think for yourself. All the alarmists for "energy crisis" and "dangerous greenhouse gases" and "global warming" usually give you part of the information. Look behind the alarmists claims. "Common sense" applies.
Love,
Dad