Are Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs a Good Choice?

Are compact fluorescent light bulbs a good choice to replace your incandescent bulbs with?  Absolutely NOT!  Why?  While it is true that CFL bulbs use less energy, they also emit mercury and other carcinogenic chemical vapors - for months.  If a CFL bulb breaks, a hazardous waste cleanup is in order due to the mercury that is released.  When it is time to dispose of a CFL, it cannot be tossed into the garbage.  Again, due to the mercury content in the bulbs, they must be treated as a biohazard and disposed of through the proper procedures.  Additionally, recent studies have concluded that the coating on the inside of CFL bulbs routinely cracks causing them to emit UVA radiation.  In short, the skin is exposed to this radiation at "higher than safe levels" every time it is exposed to the light from these bulbs.  Remember that heavy metals, such as mercury, radiation, and other contaminants are cumulative in the body.  So while exposure to these bulbs may not effect your 

So, what's the alternative to incandescents and CFLs?  We recommend LED bulbs.  They use less energy.  They are cooler to the touch.  Best of all, they contain no mercury or other carcinogens! 

If you'd like to read more about this latest find in the hazards of using compact fluorescent light bulbs, here is a very informative article shared by our friends at the Natural Society.