Has Congress Mandated Killer Light Bulbs?

I admit I haven’t followed this light compact fluorescent bulbs (aka twisty light bulbs) thing closely but this is crazy. Breaking a light bulb shouldn’t require a HAZMAT response.

Jim Berlow, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste Minimization and Management Division, recommends starting by opening the windows and stepping outside. "Any problems at all frequently are handled for the most part by quickly ventilating the room," he says. "Get all the people and pets out of the room for 15 minutes and let the room air out. If you have a central heating system or an HVAC [heating, ventilating and air-conditioning] system, you don't want it sucking the fumes around, so shut that down."

The important thing is not to touch the heavy metal (mercury). After airing out the room, the larger pieces of the bulb should be scooped off hard surfaces with stiff paper or cardboard or picked up off carpeted surfaces with gloves to avoid contact.

Personally, I am going to start stocking up on the trusty, non-toxic, old style bulbs before they are sacrificed once and for all at the altar of Global Warming.

posted by DrewM. at 04:11 PM

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