You've seen the new energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs. The ones that will be required in the near future (incandescent ones are going to be out-lawed). Just how good (i.e., green) are they?
Well, for one they certainly will cost you some green. They are far more expensive. Nice for the light bulb manufacturer's, but not so nice for your wallet.
And yes, they do use far less energy. That's good. Right? Well, just don't drop one of them. Here are the recommendations for proper handling of a dropped fluorescent household bulb (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency no less):
1. Open a window and leave the room for at least fifteen minutes. Place fans in the windows and blow the air out of the room.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
3. Wear disposable rubber gloves and carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard (must be something disposable).
4. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
5. Use duct tape to pick-up any remaining residue.
6. Place all clean-up materials in a plastic bag, seal it, and then place the bag in a second sealed bag.
7. Bring to a hazardous waste recycling center (if available).
8. Wash your hands thoroughly after disposing of the bags.
9. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag when finished and put the bag as well as any cleaning materials in two sealed plastic bags. Store outdoors - not indoors - until disposed of.
Wow. Sounds really green to me!
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