The new ECO light bulbs contain mercury - they cannot be safe

Which are safer, the old or the new light bulbs? The NZ Government wants to ban the old ones, but it has just been reported that the new ECO bulbs contain mercury and should be handled carefully if broken - don't vacuum up the pieces - use cellotape or a damp cloth to collect the pieces and put them in a bag and dispose of them at a recycling centre.

I have been down to the supermarket and bought more of the old bulbs and disposed of the new ECO bulbs. Safety comes before electricity savings!

They can not be used in fridges, stoves, in an outside light or in dimmers. You are not supposed to turn them off once they have heated up - so therefore they are no good in toilets or bathrooms.

A public debate has commenced on NZ talkback radio programs and in Letters to the Editor. International environmentalists are also split on the benefits of ECO bulbs compared to the old incandescent bulbs.

The Australian and New Zealand Governments have a united approach through CER, and will not ban the old bulbs before 2010.

Mercury is a poison, regardless of the amounts contained in the ECO bulbs. There will be a build-up over time in landfills. At present they are also an inferior product. The consumer will give the message to those governments intending to ban incandescent bulbs, which includes the Californian state government as well. An interesting future awaits us all.

Writers Lounge

Technorati Tags: Opinion/Views

Vote Result

Score: 0.0, Votes: 0