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7/24/2008
Wigderson says: Above all, don't panic!
How many liberal environmentalists does it take to change a light bulb? Unfortunately, too many of them. By the end of 2012, our friend the incandescent light bulb will be gone, replaced by the less friendly (but more politically correct) compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).
We laughed in school when we learned President Benjamin Harrison was afraid to turn on the new electric lights at the White House, preferring to use the old gas lamps instead. Forget the fear of electrocution. If the White House installed CFLs, Harrison’s fear would have been visionary.
The CFLs have mercury in them. And if we have learned anything, mercury is really, really bad. It’s why environmentalists hate coal-burning power plants. It’s why breaking thermometers is not nearly as fun as when we were kids. It’s why pregnant women are warned about eating certain kinds of fish. It’s really, really bad.
So I’m sure you’re pleased to learn that your federal government wants to make sure you have plenty of these little chemical hazards in your home.
Do you know what to do if one of these environmental hazardous devices breaks? My advice is not to call the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for advice. When a homeowner in Prospect, Maine made the call, they sent someone out to do tests and advise the clean-up. Upon inspection of the home, the homeowner was referred to the state toxicologist. The homeowner, quite concerned, asked about other precautions.
Based on that concern, the responder explained two ways to minimize exposures to mercury: one way was to wear respiratory protection and another way was to hire a clean-up contractor. Since the homeowner did not have any respirator protection, the responder referred her to a commercial clean-up contractor. The responder further suggested that the homeowner talk with their homeowner’s insurance company to see if her policy would cover the cost of a professional clean-up contractor.
The state toxicologist was unconcerned about the levels of mercury measured, especially as the carpet was due for replacement.
The homeowner contacted a clean-up specialist. The homeowner called a clean-up contractor and got a quick quote for a mercury spill clean up. This price has been quoted in newspapers as being $2,000. Newspapers have also quoted the homeowner as stating that her insurance policy would not cover clean up costs.
The story has a happy ending. While continuing their study of the lightbulb’s mercury emission, the Maine Department of Environmental protection agreed to take the affected carpet with them.
Fortunately, the rest of us won’t have quite the same traumatic experience if we accidentally break a CFL. We’re merely expected to follow some simple steps:
- Clear the room of humans and pets, air out the room, turn off central air and heating to prevent the spread of mercury vapors through the home.
- Carefully pick up the pieces using paper or cardboard, then place the fragments in a sealed plastic bag or jar. Use duct tape to pick up the smaller fragments.
- If it was broken on a hard surface, do not use a broom or a vacuum cleaner. Use a damp cloth or disposable wipe and then place the cloth or wipe in a sealed plastic bag or jar.
- If it was broken on a carpet, then use a vacuum cleaner, but then put the vacuum cleaner bag in a sealed plastic bag or jar.
- Take the waste to a place that disposes of hazardous waste in your community.
- The next several times you clean the room, make sure that all people and pets are evacuated, any central air and heat turned off, and the room well-ventilated before you begin to sweep or vacuum.
I would add that we should all follow the advice of Wess Damro, the Brown County Recycling Manager, who told WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, “The most important thing is, don't panic."
After all, it’s only a light bulb, right?
James Wigderson blogs regularly at Wigderson Library & Pub.
COMMENTS
Actually, you should NEVER vaccuum it up, as that could spread the vapor. You should use flowers of sulfur, sprinkled liberally over it, and then sweep up. This is an example of Environmentalists (who don't have a clue) vs environmentalists, who are never listened to, because they make too much sense.
emily matthews (Thu Jul 24 07:36:05 2008)
I'm just going to move.
Lance Burri (Thu Jul 24 09:35:54 2008)
Does anyone know when the next Hazardous Material collection day is with Outagamie County? I have some of these bulbs and would like to dispose of them. This seems more of a potential problem than lead paint from China yet you really don't hear much about it in the media.
Mike Thomas (Thu Jul 24 09:45:42 2008)
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