A Better Bulb Than Compact Fluorescent Lights?

Sometimes even good things could use improvement. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for example. You know, those funny-looking, corkscrew-shaped replacements for incandescent bulbs? They're great for energy-savings, but they're not entirely environmentally friendly. They contain the toxin mercury, which is harmful when released into the environment when the bulb is broken or incinerated and not properly disposed of or recycled. (Regular fluorescent tube lights should also be properly disposed of and not broken.)

According to a Fox News report, the CFL's mercury "can be dangerous even in small quantities... because it can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and it damages the central nervous system." When the bulbs are just tossed into the garbage, the mercury ends up in landfills where it can leach into the soil and water, and can poison fish and other wildlife.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288684,00.html

As of Feb. 8, 2006, it is illegal for California residents to throw CFLs away. But proper and convenient means to dispose of or recycle CFLs are not readily available. So, is there a better alternative? In response to these environmental needs and concerns, a well-known product design company in the Silicon Valley claims to have come up with a concept for an LED bulb that contains no mercury. According to the company, their "green bulb" concept would be even more energy-efficient than CFLs, usable for up to 30 years, and even allow for light dimming, which CFLs do not. An example of innovative thinking and design, conceived for everyday use. Now all we have to do is wait for another company to implement the idea, see if it will actually work as claimed, and get it to market.

http://www.frogdesign.com/case-study/led-light-bulb-concept.html

- Misako M.