[SustainableTompkins] Very interesting stats on mercury in bulbs

[Thomas Shelley]

Dear Friends--From the Green Yes list.  Great info for talking points re 
CFLs vs standard incandescent bulbs.   Tom


>Here is a breakdown on Mercury emmissions vs. Mercury contained within the 
>CFL that may be of interest:
>
>Incandescent:
>
>-The production/manufacture of 1 traditional incandescent light bulb emits 
>10 mg. of Mercury emissions into the air
>
>-1 traditional incandescent contains 0 mgs of mercury within the bulb itself
>
>
>CFL:
>
>-CFLs produce 6.4 total mgs of combined Mercury (airborne emissions and 
>solid mercury inside the CFL)
>
>-The production/manufacture of 1 CFL emits 2.4 mg. of Mercury emissions 
>into the air (far less than a traditional light bulb)
>
>-1 CFL contains 4.0 mg of Mercury (mixed with other chemicals) within the 
>glass tubing. This is about the size of the head of a ball point pen 
>spread across the inside of the bulb.
>
>Airborne mercury is a far greater concern than powder or liquid mercury 
>contained in the bulb itself with the caveat that they are recycled 
>properly. I have seen dozens of pictures of fluorescents in the landfills 
>and it is disturbing.
>
>Joy
>
>Arizona