The state, through the Efficiency Maine Program, has long advocated replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights to lower power bills and reduce electricity usage. Lately concerns have been raised that CFL bulbs contain mercury. While this is true, the small amount of mercury in each long-lasting bulb poses little risk to the environment, especially if the bulbs are properly disposed of.

Compact fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury, approximately four milligrams. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a power plant emits 10 milligrams of mercury to produce the electricity to power an incandescent bulb. It takes 2.4 milligrams to light a CFL for the same amount of time. So converting to CFLs will reduce emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin, as well as other pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

According to Efficiency Maine, the CFLs purchased through the program last year will avoid the release of 4,100 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 11,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 3,400 tons of carbon dioxide for each year of the bulbs’ life, which can be up to 10 years.

While contained in the bulb, the mercury in CFLs poses no risk. But these bulbs can’t simply be tossed in the trash, they must be taken to a waste facility for recycling. A list of the 172 facilities that handle mercury-containing devices, which include municipal transfer facilities and some schools and businesses, can be found on the Department of Environmental Protection Web site at http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/hazardouswaste/uwtran.htm.

The DEP is currently writing materials for stores and others that sell CFLs to answer questions from consumers about mercury and proper disposal of the bulbs.

The important message is that compact fluorescent bulbs use less electricity, which saves on utility bills, helps ease energy supply concerns and reduces pollution. They are a wise choice, but must be disposed of properly.