DrDeClutterBlog.com

Okay, maybe not kill you (not right away!) but . . . they aren’t the safest thing on the market yet, even though we’re all trying to do our best to use them and save, save, save and such.

New technology racing to meet the Green needs of “saving the planet” may put us in harms way at times. This might be one of them.

Incandescent bulbs, the regular ones we’ve been using for years, will be phased out by 2012. BUT, the new twirly ones are questionably dangerous. You decide what you need to do today. Here’s the latest scoop – Click here and listen to this VERY IMPORTANT video report.

Or, you can see Rep. Ted Poe from Texas take this to Capital Hill. Click here. I applauded when it was over! Find the EPA’s Report on this here that Poe and the other video discuss.

I wrote the following in May and have updated it above with new information. Still a good read below including the “how to dispose of them due to mercury” at bottom. 

Okay, so Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are suppose to be so great… but, not always the “brightest light bulb” in the room. No pun intended! They really aren’t always as bright as the “old” bulbs, and some have that nasty warehouse lighting effect that just doesn’t work for me.

And, they have a toxic mercury in them.  BAD.  See video. So really be careful if you have children around them. The fumes alone from a broken one are toxic.

Now, all that sounded bad. It’s not. It’s just part of our need to save the planet and a new product in process… it’s all good. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are everywhere to be purchased now, and I’m sure they’ll get better and better. Use them!

• they certainly are cooler to the touch
• don’t emit all the heat that traditional light bulbs do
• last longer
• save money
• save on emissions

So, to the point!… how to dispose of them safely, since they have mercury in them and we don’t want it in our groundwater or soil. Xcel Energy announced in their most recent bill to recycle them FOR FREE of charge through their new partnership with ACE HARDWARE. Cool! Check with your local ACE store, or visit their partner site. They are offering this service in several states now.

©2008 Kim Wolinski, MSW “Dr. DeClutter” Stress, Change and Organizational Skills Expert    www.DrDeClutter.com

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