The next time you dispose a low-energy light bulb, be careful it might pose health & environmental risks. The UK’s Environmental Agency has revealed that the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury & has, therefore, said more information about safe recycling
is needed. It has suggested that health warnings information on how to clear up smashed bulbs in the home shoud be printed on the packaging. However, a toxicologist has dismissed the risks, insisting that several bulbs would have to smashed at once to pose a danger.
“Mercury accumulates in the body-especially the brain.The biggest danger is repeated exposure-a one off exposure is not as potentially dangerous compared to working in a
light bulb factory,” the BBC quoted Dr David Spurgeon environmental scientist, from the
University of Nottingham, as saying.If you smash one bulb then that is not too much of a hazard. However, if you broke five bulbs in a small unventilated room then you might be in short-term danger.