The mercury emitted in the different phases of the life cycle of the lamp, including the one coming

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Now we happen: compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), commonly known as energy saving are anything but environmentally friendly, ie manufactured systems or materials to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Remember? The linear and compact fluorescent contains, albeit in small quantities, one of the materials most polluting the planet mercury. If you would like to know more, I refer you to the article that he wrote about a few weeks ago Luxemozione friend G.Picardi.
By now we all have a beautiful home in energy-saving lamp and it would be strange otherwise in view of the imminent demise of the incandescent sources, which already from September will start to disappear from the supermarket counters. It 'clear halogenas that the canard of energy saving CFL and now is no longer standing, in fact we have seen in previous articles that in fact there is no real "savings" compared to traditional sources, especially if we consider the whole cycle of CFLs: from birth to death, and then from manufacturing to disposal and it is in this last phase reside greater risk of environmental impact. The problem lies not so much in the disposal process, which if done correctly should not cause any problems, but if the disposal is not done or not done in accordance with their own. Just to quantify the problem, halogenas this is what we can read about the rules of application she 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament on the specific eco-design requirements of non-directional household lamps:
The mercury emitted in the different phases of the life cycle of the lamp, including the one coming from the generation halogenas of electricity in the use phase and 80% of compact fluorescent lamps containing mercury which presumably will not be recycled at the end of life, has been calculated on the base of the lamps installed in 2.9 tons in 2007. In the absence of specific measures, it is expected that mercury emissions from lamps installed will go up to 3.1 tonnes in 2020.
That inhibit proper disposal of mercury-containing source is definitely a very important problem, which the European Parliament is working on for some time, but we take a step back, before the trash so to speak, but if I break the spring-saving I put in the living room what should I do? I run the risk? Well there is no official text that describes the real risks they run and the procedures to be followed to dispose of glass, halogenas dust and various substances produced by the breakage of a CFL or fluorescent tube. There is a 'question that makes known the issue to the European Parliament, but nothing more.
However I found on the site of the 'EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) an interesting text that describes the risks involved in case of breakage of mercury-containing objects in the home (or not) and that lists the steps to follow in order to dispose of the waste produced by the rupture without consequences for the health and environmental damage. What should we do if I fell to the ground my saving bulb?
6) If your clothes are in contact with the powder inside escaping from the bulb absolutely halogenas not wash them in the washing machine, if necessary clean them with wet paper towels or rags, then to store in airtight containers.
I recommend, therefore, halogenas if you break a CFL or fluorescent tube look first to the above, with small adjustments can prevent major damage to both the environment and yourself.
James Smith, architect, lighting designer, founder and owner of the studio Luxemozione.com design Rossi Lighting. From 1999 to 2009 he worked with the study of Ferrara Palladino Milan as head of design. Until July 2011 he was responsible for 'design office in Milan Martini Lighting. Besides the lighting designer is a lecturer at schools of architecture and design and the author of articles in leading magazines in the lighting industry. Here more information.
7 Responses to "Mercury, the risks of the sources in energy saving"
I have always congratulated James not only for his expertise but above all for the courage and lucidity halogenas with which addresses several issues. However, this time I have to disagree and invite you to read what I wrote http://www.led-ison.com/cfl.a