Which is the Most Green Light Bulb?

Back in the days of incandescent bulbs we were just happy to have something less messy than a candle. In recent years, due in a big way to the green revolution, we have seen the rise of compact florescent lights (CFL) as a solution to the wasteful nature of incandescents.

With the average US household using 45 light bulbs and CFLs using 75% less energy and lasting up to 10 times longer than their incandescent equivalent, it seemed like a no brainer to switch over and many people have done just that.

In the early years of CFL bulbs there were some strong negatives to balance their economy. The bulb was known for its sickly blue colouring and high price tag. But the new generation of CFL bulbs have corrected their colouring problems and now often produce better light than the incandescents in blind tests.

The high prices have gone down as well, from around $25 a bulb (average household size) to around $5 for the same bulb. With all this going in the CFLs favour you might be thinking these are the green bulbs to go with, but wait.

Phosphor, the chemical compound inside the CFL which once excited converts ultraviolet radiation into visible light, is the main ingredient in the bulb, but CFLs also contain toxic mercury. The EPA estimates that about 5 milligrams (or enough to cover the head of a pen) of mercury is used to increase the bulbs efficiency.

The inclusion of mercury is the problem. This toxic chemical makes disposing of a CFL a somewhat more involved process than that of an incandescent. These bulbs are still made of glass like their incandescent predecessor and are still relatively easy to break.

Energy Star, a great proponent of CFLs, has a recommended list of things to do when you break a CFL bulb that reads more like a hazmat operation. A broken CFL bulb will immediately release mercury into the air. The resulting initial discomfort of dizziness and nausea are only part of your concerns. Breathing in mercury can cause lifelong damage to the central nervous system.

The potential dangers of CFLs make them a less than perfect green lighting solution, but there is a light in the tunnel. I will leave you with one word...(no, not plastics)...LED.

Next blog I will talk more about Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and how they are poised to be the eco friendly light bulbs of the future.