In many countries around the world, it will soon be lights out for conventional or incandescent light bulbs as countries ban them in favor of energy-saving bulbs that use only 20 percent of the electricity of conventional bulbs and produce the same amount of light.

With the impending 50 percent energy rate hike scheduled to take effect on June 1, many Marylanders looking for ways to save on electricity may be led to buy energy-saver lightbulbs.

But let the buyer beware — the lightbulbs come with a mercury warning.

“The compact, fluorescent bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury,” said Dr. Bruce Anderson, medical director of the Maryland Poison Control Center at the University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy.

This story continues below
Advertisement

“The type of mercury present in those bulbs is called elemental mercury, and it is not very well absorbed into the human body, and if ingested will pass out through the gastrointestinal tract,” he said.

Anderson said the elemental mercury is much less toxic than organic or methyl mercury.

“There is very little risk of mercury poisoning because the amount of mercury in the bulbs is not great enough to warrant being a medical emergency. Everything is toxic. It is the dose that makes something highly toxic. They [energy-saver lightbulbs] are not completely safe. If you had six cases of them break and all the dust from those thousands of broken bulbs ended up in someone’s room, someone could get sick. However, it is an unlikely scenario. “If a bulb breaks, you should immediately open up the windows where it broke, clean up everything, double-bag it and throw it away.”

“The goal of mitigating a mercury spill is containment, isolation and possibly decontamination, which should be handled by hazmat experts or individuals certified in handling hazardous materials,” said Kevin Cartwright, chief of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department. “Residents should avoid contact with mercury at all costs. Contact their local fire department at 911 or the Maryland Department of the Environment if they feel that they may have been exposed. People should use gloves while handling them.”

Officials agree that the impact on the environment from dumping used energy-saver lightbulbs poses a very real danger to the environment at landfills where they will end up.

“Most landfills don’t leak as much stuff as the old ones of 40 to 50 years ago did, but with people sending these bulbs to the landfill there is the potential for seepage into our underground water supply,” said Kola Muhammed, an environmental scientist with Environmental Remedial Solutions.

Officials recommend wearing gloves to remove bulbs when they expire.

rchappelle@baltimoreexaminer.com