Myth Busting: CFLs

"Compact florescent lights bulbs (a.k.a. CFLs) are more harmful than incandescent bulbs because they contain mercury."

Myth or Fact?

While CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury (the size of a ball point pen tip) this is actually 4 x less* than what's produced in providing the additional electricity for an incandescent bulb over its lifetime. If a CFL breaks, simply picking up the pieces with a wet paper towel, sealing it in a bag and placing it in an electronic-waste collection space (with batteries, inkjet cartridges, CDs, cell phones and chargers, etc.) is safe.

Myth Busted!

*Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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