May 30, 2009 12:25 pm US/Eastern
Push Made To Make CFLs Better For Environment
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
-
-
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL)
AP
Millions of us use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to save energy, but CFLs have one potential problem. They contain tiny amounts of mercury – a powerful neuro-toxin.
Now, there's an effort to make them safer.
Here's the problem: If a bulb breaks or is tossed in the trash, mercury can get into the environment.
Maine's legislature just passed a first-of-its-kind law that would require manufacturers to reduce the amount of mercury in the bulbs. A similar bill is before Massachusetts lawmakers. "The main reason we need to pass this bill is to protect people's health from mercury pollution," said Eliz Saunders of Clean Water Action.
She works on the organization's Zero Mercury project.
In addition to lowering mercury levels in bulbs, the Massachusetts law would also require recycling programs. "So these bulbs don't land in the trash," explained Saunders. "And we need the manufacturers to take responsibility for that."
Bulb makers say these efforts could increase costs, but environmentalists say it needs to happen. "Ultimately, public health does need to come first and the increase in cost is going to be quite minimal," said Saunders.
The countries of the European Union already require manufacturers to sell CFLs with lower mercury levels.
Advocates say we should be able to do the same thing here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments