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Energy saving light bulbs, advantages and disadvantages.
As we all know by using and replacing traditional bulbs with low-consumption ones, we can achieve significant savings in energy consumption, however This type of bulbs has a very heavy point against it, since they contain mercury inside, which in the case of low-consumption lamps reaches up to 5 milligrams per lamp and in fluorescent tubes it reaches up to 25 milligrams per lamp, and therefore, if they break, they become potentially polluting.
Although when analyzing advantages and disadvantages in the balance of energy consumption and effect on the environment during its useful life, although they represent energy savings and a reduction in CO2 emissions, it must be taken into account that, if there is no adequate collection and subsequent treatment process, it could cause significant environmental damage and human, because in the event that it breaks the mercury is released into the environment and its surroundings, with the consequent danger to people.
Since it is a dangerous substance, The use of mercury is prohibited in the manufacture of electrical equipment and yet its use is allowed in a limited way only in some cases, such as low consumption light bulbs., it being admitted that it is practically impossible to manufacture a bulb of this type without the use of such a substance.
This is a complex problem whose environmental impact can apparently only be reduced as technology advances slowly and gradually.
We are currently at a time when traditional light bulbs are being withdrawn and replaced by low-consumption ones, although since September 2009 incandescent bulbs are no longer manufactured as a result of a European directive.
Yes, it should be clear to the user is that in If it breaks, you must proceed with caution, adopting minimum measures to avoid breathing the mercury it contains., as it could cause serious health problems such as gastroenteritis, shaking and tremors, kidney or lung disorders.
The following video explains what the effects of this type of light bulb can be, through the testimony of a doctor who explains the case of a child affected by the breakage of a low-consumption lamp:
In relation to information to the user about the danger and health risk posed by this type of light bulbs, it seems that there is not enough information, since most of the information campaigns focus on enhancing their energy saving advantages but no such aspect is mentioned. In any case, it is always advisable to be careful when handling, Once their useful life is over, they should not be thrown away and if they break, proceed by following the following steps, as recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency:
1.- Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.
2.-Carefully collect the glass debris as well as the dust with a cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag. For this you should use disposable gloves, and in no case do this step with bare hands.
3.-Clean the affected area of the floor with a damp paper or wet wipes and place it in the plastic bag, do not use a vacuum cleaner or broom or brush for this, since it can be impregnated with mercury.
4.-Put the plastic bag in another closed bag.
5.-Wash your hands well.
6.-If the lamp has broken on a carpet, collect the remains without a vacuum cleaner, you can use an adhesive tape to remove and lift the small lines.
7.- And what is most important when they break, they should never be thrown away, but these bulbs and the remains that have been collected and placed in closed bags, should be taken to the areas designated by the municipalities for collect this type of residue.
It is advisable to also read the article on the DSALUD portal recommended by a colleague of ours on LinkedIn … HEREor the article of "How to buy an LED bulb" where all the characteristics that we must understand as consumers to acquire an LED bulb are analyzed.
Or the article on questions about led lamps and their characteristics. Excellent for understanding the world of LEDs.
Also of interest is a new discovery where incandescent lighting bulbs can become an option for the future.
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