cross-posted from: https://lemmy.crimedad.work/post/45354
cross-posted from: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/645809278769635471
These just go out with the other recycling, right?
this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2023
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Kind of wild that they were ever on the market in the first place.
The amounts is absolutely minimal and mostly "harmles" even if accidents were to happen. To my knowledge they don't contain actual liquid mercury but only the vapours. If you break them by accident just ventilate the room well and you'll be fine. Not to say it's healthy, mercury is a serious matter and should be disposed of correctly. But no reason to be overly concerned if you break one by accident.
I'm sure the risk presented by a couple of CFLs to just me is pretty small, but all together it seems like a significant problem for everyone.
As far as I know any exposure is bad. It builds up in your body like lead and there's no way to get it out once it's there.
I blame lead for a good bit of mental damage in boomers, and it's been linked to increases in crime.
All fluorescent lights contain mercury, they can't be made without it. These CFL bulbs contain significantly less mercury than the large fluorescent tubes though.
And mercury is a metal, so that means they go out with commingled bottles and cans. Got it!
You really need to check. Most of the time they are not put in with normal recycling because of the mercury hazard.