Guest guest Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Yes, please Sally, apart from the obvious nuisance value with the mercury, we have all manner of light fitments in our house, presumably they dont all look like those big ugly bulbs that stick out too much, already available. Can we purchase energy saving chandeliers? Only kidding, would like the link though, Thanks Vicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 It's coz mercury vapour based electrical discharge plasmas have been around for a long, long time and it's what people know best. All the fluorescent tube lights used in offices and kitchens contain mercury. Generating a discharge in gas is very tough. You need high voltages and special gas mixtures. It just so happens tht mercury is one of the best options when it comes to creating these light emitting plasmas as you can generate stable plasmas at relative low voltages using mercury. (Spot the geek who spends his work-life developing electrical plasma dischargess in the lab!!!) There are different CFL bulbs on the market and some contain less mercury than others. Even the best still have mercury though. I think Philips have a low mercury option, but I haven't looked for this in a shop yet. IMHO. the best option is to stock up on Ye Olde lightbulbs and wait for the market to work out a way of removing mercury. Or wait for better LEDs to come along. > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, MaddiganV@... > writes: > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > Mandi x > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to dispose of > them > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Liam, The fundamental issue is whether the mercury escapes from the device or not. I always thought the vapour was secure in the capsule and was released only after breakage. Can you comment? Re: Light bulbs It's coz mercury vapour based electrical discharge plasmas have been around for a long, long time and it's what people know best. All the fluorescent tube lights used in offices and kitchens contain mercury. Generating a discharge in gas is very tough. You need high voltages and special gas mixtures. It just so happens tht mercury is one of the best options when it comes to creating these light emitting plasmas as you can generate stable plasmas at relative low voltages using mercury.(Spot the geek who spends his work-life developing electrical plasma dischargess in the lab!!!)There are different CFL bulbs on the market and some contain less mercury than others. Even the best still have mercury though. I think Philips have a low mercury option, but I haven't looked for this in a shop yet.IMHO. the best option is to stock up on Ye Olde lightbulbs and wait for the market to work out a way of removing mercury. Or wait for better LEDs to come along.>> > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, MaddiganV@... > writes:> > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway?> > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................> > Mandi x> PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to dispose of > them> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Many parents also find our kids very sensitive to the flourescent lighting..why is that? >>Its been suggested to me that this may be due to white noise and or flicker Mandi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Hmm, what's white noise...humming.? >>I don't know because I can't hear it but I know Sam can, I think of it as 'interference', bit like us having a dripping tap, its irritating and distracting. But then what do I know, I'm only an NT......... Mandi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 It's a sealed vacuum tube. The release of mercury from such a device would be zero unless the vacuum vessel cracked. If it cracks, then the bulb won't light, so you'll know pretty fast if there is a problem. So as long as there is no breakage, I wouldn't worry. In fact, I already have a number of these bulbs in my house. > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > MaddiganV@ > > writes: > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > Mandi x > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > dispose of > > them > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Liam, How would you explain the connection of these mercury filled lightbulbs to health problems (according to BBC report are porphyria, excema etc.) if nothing but the "rays of light " express themselves externally? Many parents also find our kids very sensitive to the flourescent lighting..why is that? Re: Light bulbs It's a sealed vacuum tube. The release of mercury from such a device would be zero unless the vacuum vessel cracked. If it cracks, then the bulb won't light, so you'll know pretty fast if there is a problem. So as long as there is no breakage, I wouldn't worry. In fact, I already have a number of these bulbs in my house. > >> > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > MaddiganV@ > > writes:> > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway?> > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................> > > > Mandi x> > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > dispose of > > them> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Hmm, what's white noise...humming.? Re: Re: Light bulbs In a message dated 07/01/2008 09:49:05 GMT Standard Time, moppett1btinternet writes: Many parents also find our kids very sensitive to the flourescent lighting..why is that? >>Its been suggested to me that this may be due to white noise and or flicker Mandi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 The flicker can trigger epilepsy in the susceptible and bother people on the spectrum sally JULIE GRIFFITHS wrote: > > Liam, > > How would you explain the connection of these mercury filled > lightbulbs to health problems (according to BBC report are porphyria, > excema etc.) if nothing but the " rays of light " express themselves > externally? > > Many parents also find our kids very sensitive to the flourescent > lighting..why is that? > > > > * Re: Light bulbs > > It's a sealed vacuum tube. The release of mercury from such a device > would be zero unless the vacuum vessel cracked. If it cracks, then > the bulb won't light, so you'll know pretty fast if there is a > problem. So as long as there is no breakage, I wouldn't worry. In > fact, I already have a number of these bulbs in my house. > > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > MaddiganV@ > > > writes: > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > Mandi x > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > > dispose of > > > them > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1212 - Release Date: 06/01/2008 22:55 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 > IMHO. the best option is to stock up on Ye Olde lightbulbs and wait for > the market to work out a way of removing mercury. Or wait for better > LEDs to come along. Yes, that's what I think we should do. It's good there's been so much in the media this weekend as perhaps this will lead to some action by the manufacturers. A few months ago I contacted the BBC about the dangers of broken lightbulbs with mercury (Henry had smashed 3 in 2 minutes) and they got an industry spokesman in on You and Yours who issued soothing platitutes, but this won't wash any longer! Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 But when it comes to disposal, millions of these are ending up broken in landfill or in incinerators and the mercury will be released. I was advised by my local council to treat the bulbs as hazardous waste and to seal them up and take them to the council dump where they would be treated as toxic waste. I pointed out that I did not have a car and couldn't get there - so they went in the dustbin. While some people may take them to the dump, most will not and they will end up polluting the environment. Margaret > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > MaddiganV@ > > > writes: > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > Mandi x > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > > dispose of > > > them > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Can't explain any link to porphyria or other such health issues, but then I haven't sen the reports you refer to. I know that CFL lights are horrible to work under. My office falls under the ategory of " Hell with fluoresecent lighting " . I know some people develop headaches, etc from working under CFL bulbs. CFL bulbs won't emit a constant source of light. The plasma flickers on and off as the AC current goes through it's cycle (though this is partly negated by the coating on the bulb). Our eyes didn't develop to work under flickering lighting, so there may be issues there even if we're not conciously aware of the flickering. Sort of like staring at a PC monitor or TV screen. Start stockpiling the old bulbs! The sale of old incandescent bulbs has been banned fomr Jan 1st of next year in Ireland, so I'll be stocking up over the next few months (damn Green Party is forcing me to buy mercury containing lighting systems!). > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > MaddiganV@ > > > writes: > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > Mandi x > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > > dispose of > > > them > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 These bulbs are covered under the new EU directive on recycling of electrical appliances. So you can return them to the shop when buying replacements and the shop will have to take them back and recycle them for you. Still not ideal, but it may help. > > > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > > MaddiganV@ > > > > writes: > > > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > > > Mandi x > > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how > to > > > dispose of > > > > them > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7170246.stm Liam, Here's the link to the bulb and health issues..... Re: Light bulbs Can't explain any link to porphyria or other such health issues, but then I haven't sen the reports you refer to. I know that CFL lights are horrible to work under. My office falls under the ategory of "Hell with fluoresecent lighting".I know some people develop headaches, etc from working under CFL bulbs.CFL bulbs won't emit a constant source of light. The plasma flickers on and off as the AC current goes through it's cycle (though this is partly negated by the coating on the bulb). Our eyes didn't develop to work under flickering lighting, so there may be issues there even if we're not conciously aware of the flickering. Sort of like staring at a PC monitor or TV screen.Start stockpiling the old bulbs!The sale of old incandescent bulbs has been banned fomr Jan 1st of next year in Ireland, so I'll be stocking up over the next few months (damn Green Party is forcing me to buy mercury containing lighting systems!).> > >> > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > MaddiganV@ > > > writes:> > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway?> > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................> > > > > > Mandi x> > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > > dispose of > > > them> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 ulie, it's hard to make a call, as it's a short couple of lines with no real info. It says that light sources can affect some people with skin sensitivity, and that porphyria can produce skin sensitivity. That doesn't mean CFL light bulbs cause porphyria. I'd need to see the science behind this to comment. But it got me thinking - Apart from the flickering, the CFL bulbs have a second problem. They only emit in certain areas of the visible spectrum. It's not a true " white " light. Instead, it emits bands of intense light over a few different narrow frequency ranges. The more expensive bulbs emit over wider ranges (more coatings on the tube to adsorb and re- transmit light). That intesne light in few frequencies might be why they cause problems with photo-sensitive people, but I'm not really an expert on this side light - health thing so I'm just guessing. Liam > > > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > > MaddiganV@ > > > > writes: > > > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > > > Mandi x > > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how > to > > > dispose of > > > > them > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Hi all My dad just alerted me to an anti-CFL piece in a column in today's mirror. There's hope for a popular revolt yet! http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/columnists/parsons/ I wrote to the Environment secretary, Benn, late last year complaining about the imposition of CFLs on the grounds that they contain poison and that they don't really save energy. I got a reply a few days ago reassuring me that the mercury levels were ever so low, only a few milligrams, and that I really shouldn't be too worried(!!) I'm sure I'm not the only one on this list who doesn't want an atom of mercury in our house, let alone a few milligrams. Furthermore, I was reminded that this is not a government policy but rather a voluntary initiative by the lighting manufacturers. In other words, a scam to sell expensive and dangerous light bulbs. I wonder if the growing public concerns about CFLs may persuade some of them to do a U-turn on their phasing-out policy? Anyone worried that incandescent bulbs will be disappearing in the near future should note that there are currently no plans to replace decoratively shaped bulbs like candle or golf-ball bulbs. These generally only go up to 60W but it does give you a long-term mercury-free lighting solution. Best wishes Tim > > The clock is now running for the total withdrawal of filament > lightbulbs. If you don't want to use the mercury-containing low energy > ones, I suggest you stock up. 150watt bulbs are already running out, > from next January 100watt bulbs will go and so on and so on until none > are available. > Margaret > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Unfortunately, if the bulb does crack you suddenly have a very serious problem in the shape of a room full of mercury vapour. See http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent for the measures that even the normally blasé US government recommends in that event! Tim > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 05/01/2008 12:06:15 GMT Standard Time, > > MaddiganV@ > > > writes: > > > > > > Why do these new bulbs have mercury in them anyway? > > > > > > > > > >>Its PROGRESS Vicky................................ > > > > > > Mandi x > > > PS Was on BBC News 24 about how we need instructions on how to > > dispose of > > > them > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.