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I had NO IDEA about the mercury and was more concerned about glass shards in my oldest daughter's hair.
I sure wish I had known at least to open a window and get the kids out of the room and right into the shower.
Thanks for the info!
I not only learned about my CFL bulbs, but you also made a very good point....just because someone writes or talks about something (whatever the subject), where did that information originate? Is it even true?
Back to the topic of the CFL's, I've noticed that they have a "warm up" period, and I didn't know that you shouldn't vacuum up if one breaks (thankfully that hasn't happened). Thanks a lot for the info on this. :)
agree very much with you about your opinion on checking the source and the agenda behind.
My opinion: for us adult, learn to take the good things, as we both are Christian, I'd like to share my Christian insights on wisdom,
I'm quite a liberal as a Christian, I like to learn, and get to know the wisdom of men, but my principle is this, I will make use of human's wisdom but not to lean on them, I'm leaning to God and the word of God.
My full post, actually one of my principle in blogging as well:
Seek wisdom but not to lean on it
For children, I agree with you, need to teach them about bible and the critical thinking! I'm no experience =) sure you know how to do it!
God bless you!
Robert
The amount of mercury is miniscule too. If you research on toxicology you'll see you'd need to break dozens and dozens of bulbs to get an adverse effect. Although you are correct these bulbs therefore have to be correctly disposed of - and not simply trashed.
On the other hand, an 8w CFL produces as much light as a 60w incandescent and last 7 times longer. The overall damage to the environment is 7 times less for materials and a further 7 times for energy use. That's 14 times better for the environment while, at the same time, saving you 6/7ths of your lighting bill and 6/7ths of your lightbulb (bill here in the UK these bulbs are only 50 pence - less than a dollar).
Yes some CFLs do take a while to get bright - some only take about 5 seconds - it all depends on the make. Also would you prefer a bulb that gets dim at the end of it's life to one that just blows? That's how CFLs die - you replace them when they are too dark or flickery for use.
New CFLs are now available for every type of light fitting. You just have to shop around. When incandescents are phased out, the old lines will be replaced with new ones suitable for all your existing fittings.
I can guarantee you that if you replaced every lightbulb in your home for a cost of, say 25 pounds (less than $50) for 50 bulbs you would see your energy bill drop substantially. The only way it could go up is if you suddenly decided you could now have 5 TVS on instead of one or two - or something like that.
@Rob: Lol. The lack of links was purposeful, and my follow-up to the argument will include them.
Remember that the point isn't to bash CFLs, it's to emphasize the need to critically evaluate the information we are barraged with daily.
For the record, I have CFLs in my home.
I'd be interested you re-examining the numbers in your comments. If something is 7 times improved, and then 7 times again, then don't you have a 49 times improvement? Also, the bulbs here in the US are dramatically more expensive than incandescent.
The rest I'll discuss in the next post.
I know the long tube lights have a special place at the tip so their nasty stuff isn't spread everywhere.
They're a lot cheaper now thank goodness - you can pick two up for a pound at the right places.