The bulbs in the Christmas lights are usually made with glass but may also be made from plastic. They can contain small amounts of toxic materials like mercury or lead, which can leach into the environment if they are disposed of in landfills.
Do light bulbs have mercury in them?
Other forms of light bulbs, such as the currently trendy CFL bulbs, contain mercury as well as a number of other toxic chemicals that emit vapors into the environment, making them very dangerous for personal or commercial use. Some of the following light bulbs do contain mercury, and special care should be taken when handling them.
How much mercury is in a fluorescent lamp?
Why recycle? The amount of mercury in a fluorescent lamp ranges between 3.5 to 15 milligrams, depending on the type of fluorescent lamp, the manufacturer, and when the fluorescent lamp was manufactured.
Do neon lights contain mercury?
Almost everyone has seen cool neon lights either in tubes or in standard bulbs but most people are unaware that they contain mercury. It hasnt been until recent years that the concern for mercury has grown in the general public.
What are the health risks of mercury in light bulbs?
At low levels mercury can cause a number of health problems including tremors, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, impaired motor function and decreased cognitive function. (5) One CFL bulb contains 4-5 milligrams of mercury, which is enough to contaminate 6,000 gallons of water.
Do Christmas light bulbs have mercury?
Manufacturers of fluorescent lighting products are working to reduce the amount of mercury content in CFLs. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (i.e., not broken) or in use, but mercury vapor and very small beads of mercury can be released when a CFL is broken.
Are Christmas tree lights toxic?
Yes, all those beautiful tree ornaments, the decorations, and even that snarl of lights you drag out of storage once a year have the potential to contain toxic substances. The most common reason: They can contain lead.
Can you get lead poisoning from Christmas lights?
Because lead ingestion occurs mostly through the mouth and through the breathing of contaminated air. So Christmas light cords do not pose a significant threat for causing lead ingestion through the air, one of the two methods of lead ingestion.
Do LED lights have mercury in them?
LEDs use significantly less energy than even CFLs, and do not contain mercury. And they are becoming economically competitive with CFLs at the point of purchase while yielding superior quality lighting and energy bill savings down the line.
What chemicals are in Christmas lights?
The Chemistry of Christmas LightsWiring. Copper.Plastic covering the wire. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)C₂H₃Cl.Filament. Tungsten.Case around filament filled to glow. Argon.The casing. Glass SiO₂
Are string lights toxic?
Since it's what the wires are wrapped in that really matters here, LED lights aren't inherently any less toxic. However, most of the lead-free light brands we found are indeed LED.
Do all Christmas lights contain lead?
Lead is used to help prevent the cracking or crumbling of Christmas light wiring insulation. Manufacturers do not hide the fact that lead is part of the PVC insulation that insulates Christmas light wiring. Lead is used legally to stabilize polyvinyl chloride so it does not crack or crumble with age.
Are there lead free Christmas lights?
Environmental Lights makes lead free Christmas lights. The lights are much more expensive than traditional lights but in my mind it is worth it. Nothing like stringing lights on your tree that have lead on them.
Is it safe to touch Christmas lights?
Although safe when used according to manufacturer's directions, metallic trees can become charged with electricity from faulty lights- any person touching a branch could be electrocuted! To avoid this danger, use colored spotlight above or beside a tree - never fastened to it!
What happens if you inhale mercury from a light bulb?
Mercury vapor is released when the bulb is broken. Inhaling mercury vapor is hazardous to your health. Breathing in mercury vapors may cause symptoms such as cough, fever, difculty breathing, nausea, vomiting, headaches, increased salivation and an acute metallic taste in the mouth.
Which light bulbs contain mercury?
Mercury-containing light bulbs include:fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs);high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, which include mercury vapor bulbs, metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs, and are used for streetlights, floodlights, parking lots, and industrial lighting; and.More items...
What happens if you break an LED light bulb?
Although they contain hazardous materials, such as lead and nickel, LEDs are considered safe because the concentration of these substances is so minimal. Beyond the obvious dangers of shattered glass, broken LEDs have no dangerous implications and can easily be disposed of.
Can artificial Christmas trees make you sick?
As a result, a study from 2004 even found traceable amounts of lead in artificial trees. “PVC also releases gases known as volatile organic compounds, which are gases that can irritate the eyes, nose, and lungs,” Dr.
Do artificial trees contain lead?
Most artificial trees are manufactured in China and made from two items: PVC, a petroleum-based plastic, and lead, used to stabilize PVC. The lead in the “greens” breaks down into lead dust, which is released into the air, poisoning everyone, but especially children younger than six.
Is my fake Christmas tree making me sick?
Fake trees often pick up deposits of mold and dust while they are being stored in the basement or attic throughout the year, making them an allergy risk, too. Christmas tree allergies may manifest themselves with familiar allergy symptoms, including hay fever, skin rashes, coughing, and wheezing.
Is it OK to leave Christmas lights on all night?
While it might seem like a festive treat for the neighbors, it could lead to problems for your home and electricity over time. Before leaving lights on, check the label to determine whether the bulbs and wattage can handle a long night of illumination. Generally, we recommend turning them off before bed.
How much mercury is in a CFL?
The amount of mercury contained in a CFL is very small — a typical bulb today contains about 3mg. To put that amount in perspective, there is up to five times that amount of mercury in the watch battery on your wrist; quite notably, between 60 to 200 times that amount of mercury in a single “silver” dental filling in people’s mouths, ...
What to do if a light bulb breaks?
If a bulb does break in your home, don’t panic. The small amount emitted is unlikely to be harmful, and you can use simple cleanup procedures to further minimize any exposures. Keep kids away from the breakage, open a window and carefully clean up the pieces and place them in a ziplock bag for proper disposal.
Is mercury in CFLs safe?
However, CFLs themselves contain a small amount of mercury, which has led to some questions about whether they are safe to use. We’ve taken a close look at this issue, and we believe that CFLs are the right choice for those concerned about both their health and their energy bills.
Can you eat fish with mercury?
While it is sensible to handle broken CFLs with care, by far the most important step people can take to reduce mercury exposure in their daily lives is to avoid eating fish contaminated with mercury. Eating fish is the main source of mercury exposure for Americans, and the form of mercury found in fish is more toxic than the form used in CFLs ...
Is fish a good source of mercury?
While fish is part of a healthy diet, people should take care to choose the types of fish which contain the least amount of mercury, particularly if they are pregnant or nursing. NRDC’s website contains recommendations for choosing fish that contain the least amount of mercury.
Do fluorescent lights use mercury?
The Facts about Light Bulbs and Mercury. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use about a quarter of the electricity of traditional incandescent light bulbs, reducing energy costs for consumers. By conserving electricity, CFLs also avoid some of the mercury emissions from power plants that burn coal.
Why are fluorescent bulbs more cost effective than incandescent bulbs?
Fluorescent bulbs are also more cost effective because they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
What is a high intensity discharge bulb?
high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, which include mercury vapor bulbs , metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs, and are used for streetlights, floodlights, parking lots, and industrial lighting; and. neon/argon lamps commonly used in the electric sign industry. Learn more about the connections between these bulbs and mercury.
Do fluorescent bulbs break?
Fluorescent and other mercury-containing bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. To prevent the release of mercury, these bulbs should be taken to a recycler before they break. Recyclers recover the mercury and other components for reuse.
Do fluorescent lights release mercury?
Although the amount of mercury in a single fluorescent lamp is small, collectively, large numbers of fluorescent lamps contribute to the amount of mercury that is released into the environment. EPA encourages the recycling of all mercury-containing lamps. Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment.
Can lamp crushing release mercury?
It should be noted that lamp crushing can release mercury into the air and pose a health threat to crusher operators and building occupants if the crusher is not operating properly. Lamp crushing can pose a threat if operators do not have the appropriate protective equipment.
Can hazardous waste lamps be landfilled?
Generally, hazardous waste lamps should not be landfilled as municipal solid waste. Authorized states have varying regulations regarding the handling, recycling and disposal of mercury-containing lamps. Handlers that choose to intentionally crush lamps must do so in accordance with authorized state programs.
Is mercury in a mercury lamp drum?
Crushing lamps into drums releases mercury into the filter, which also becomes hazardous. Learn about the results of EPA's 2006 study on the performance of mercury lamp drum-top crusher (DTC) ...
How much mercury is in a fluorescent light bulb?
Some fluorescent lamps have as little as 3.5 mg mercury, but some have as much as 60 mg. Over the past 20 years, the mercury content of these lamps has declined steadily.
Why do we buy fluorescent lamps?
Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: The Lowdown on Mercury in Fluorescent Lamps ( PDF version) Most government agencies, schools, hospitals, and businesses purchase fluorescent lamps for their facilities because they are more energy-efficient than incandescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps are in fact the best choice because of their energy efficiency, ...
How many fluorescent lamps are discarded in the US?
According to one estimate, 620 million fluorescent lamps are discarded annually in the US, releasing from 2 to 4 tons of mercury per year. (1)
When did the state of New Jersey require mercury information?
In 2002, the state of New Jersey requested mercury dose information for lamps purchased through the state contract, which included many different types of lamps. See the New Jersey fact sheet at https://informinc.org/fact-sheet-mercury-disclosure-requirements-new-jersey-lamp-contract (or access PDF version) for that information.
Can contractors recycle mercury lamps?
Contractors (vendors) may not promote to facility employees the disposal of mercury-containing lamps as non-hazardous waste, even if the lamps are legally designated as non-hazardous waste in this state. Contractors must instead promote the recycling of all mercury-containing lamps.
Do all lamps need to be replaced?
All lamps are rated for average lamp life and should be replaced by the manufacturer if they do not meet the performance claims. Also, to function at their rated capacity, lamps must be used with compatible ballasts. Ask your vendors to help identify the lowest-mercury lamps compatible with your existing ballasts.
Is mercury toxic to fish?
Mercury is toxic: When mercury-containing lamps break or are landfilled or incinerated, mercury is released to our air and water, increasing the risk of exposure to humans and wildlife that eat contaminated fish. This has resulted in fish consumption advisories for water bodies in all 50 states.
