Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Incandescent Bulbs: Higher Mercury Content than Fluorescent Lamps?

Incandescent bulbs actually result in more mercury than CFLs or fluorescent lamps. Because mercury is a byproduct of burning coal, coal-fired power plants are one of the largest sources of mercury pollution. Since incandescent bulbs use several times more electricity over their lifetimes, they require far more power generation and, ultimately, result in more mercury emission than fluorescents. With the coming “maximal achievable technology” clean air standards, it is fully expected that mercury emissions will have to be severely reduced in order to stop this proliferation. Fluorescent lights are four to six times more efficient than incandescent lamps, significantly reducing the power demand from local utilities. The reduced demand for electricity in turn reduces both greenhouse gas and mercury emissions.

Brad Buscher
Chairman and CEO
VaporLok Products LLC

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