[Angel]

that's right, by 2012 all countries in the EU must convert to low energy bulbs. You can buy them here in the UK anywhere and they are now much cheaper than they used to be. What concerns me though is that nowhere on the packaging does it say anything about the mercury content and how they have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Certainly my council have no provisions for their safe disposal but I do intend to make an issue of it. I never knew about the mercury until someone on here mentioned it, and this the day after one smashed in my hand. gulp - I suppose the health risk from one bulb is minimal but I would have preferred to know.

[stav]

Philips are starting to make bulbs with a much lower mercury content than normal ones, I would guess that once word gets round, all the other manufacturers will follow suit.

My local council gives this advice about broken bulbs.

The mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs poses no threat while in the bulb, but if you break one:
- open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more
- use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a plastic bag
- place all materials in a second sealed plastic bag
- call your local recycling center to see if they accept this material, otherwise put it in your normal rubbish. Wash your hands afterward.

[mollyL]

Stav, thanks about the info you posted. I happened to break a bulb a few weeks ago that was in my bedside lamp. Don't know if it makes any difference now (my bedroom window is always cracked open just a bit in wintertime) but I'll be cleaning around with a wet cloth as suggested. Cheers!

[stav]

Oh dear Molly... Although it is a bit late now, there may still be residue in the area so I guess it's worth wiping down to be on the safe side.

[Angel]

Anyone know if there would be any effect on pets? My cats would have snuffled around the area where I dropped that eco bulb the other day? What should I be looking for?

[stav]

I've looked around angel and can't find any info on it. There is an extremely tiny amount of mercury in these bulbs, and as long as you clean it up quickly, and keep the room ventilated, it should not be a hazard.

This really annoys me actually, the powers that be do not issue proper guidelines about this stuff, and the only information available is sometimes no more than scaremongering. Worrying people needlessly.

One other thing I found while looking. It is suggested that you do not use a vacuum cleaner to clear up any breakage.

[mollyL]

I have been replacing the old-fashioned bulbs with the new ones as they burn out. Our bedroom has one ceiling mount and it's always hard to light up the corners of the room, but the new bulbs have helped alot with that.

[stav]

I've found that the new bulbs, while they seem to be dimmer when you switch them on, once warmed up, produce light that is much easier on the eye and just as bright.

[RFL1986]

I've found that as well. They are actually a much better product than traditional lightbulbs and I'm glad to have made the switch. It's really win-win all over as near as I can tell.

[ACCER]

Well as much as I'd like to switch, the disposal of them in my area is impossible. At least according to the rules. I could just dump them with the rest of the garbage and say nothing...but switching one problem for another isn't good in my book.