Does a regular incandescent light bulb really create more Mercury emissions than a CFL?
Yes, in fact, a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that more Mercury emissions are emitted into the atmosphere when powering an incandescent bulb, because the bulb requires more electricity to operate.. The highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel used in the U.S. to produce electricity. A CFL uses 75% less energy than an incandescent light bulb and lasts at least 6 times longer. A power plant emits 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb and only emits 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time. When disposed of properly, CFLs present an opportunity to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health.
Related Questions
- If I drop a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), do I need to be worried about the mercury contained within it contaminating my house, family or myself personally?
- How much energy does it take to produce a CFL compared to a traditional incandescent light bulb?
- When is an incandescent light bulb a better choice than a CFL?
