Letter: Disposal plan for fluorescent lights – July 2007

For the last several years we have been eliminating mercury thermometers because of the health risks associated with mercury poisoning. Free digital thermometers were given to anyone who turned one in. This was a good idea then and still is now. Mercury poisoning has been linked to a long list of medical problems.

That brings me to the point of my letter. On July 6^th, Nicole Haley wrote an article with the headline “Challenge sparks city to think green”. The article explains many things that the city is doing to save energy. This is a great idea because not only will it save the city money, it will also be a benefit to the environment.

Dan Gutro from the regional office of the EPA stated that one of the ways communities can cut back on energy expenses is by buying energy efficient lighting. What is energy efficient lighting? It is fluorescent light bulbs (FTBs). Walk into any hardware store and you will see a large display of them. They are advertised as longer lasting and more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.

Based on both the cost savings and the environmental benefits, this sounds like a great idea. However, there is a drawback. FTBs contain mercury. When intact FTBs are universal waste and can be properly disposed of. However, when they are broken they become hazardous waste, just like the mercury thermometers which we have done away with.

For the conversion from incandescent bulbs to FTBs to be successful we must have a recycling program in place to take care of the bulbs. For the city itself, as the custodians change bulbs they must have a place to store the old ones until they are properly disposed of. For the rest of us, a plan that allows us to easily and properly dispose of the bulbs must be adopted by the city or we will turn the clock back on mercury poisoning.

Bill Fowler