A Light Bulb Goes On

08/20/2005

Paul Munnis

This is a reminder that fluorescent lamps must be disposed of properly because they contain mercury. This is also true of the newer table lamp bulbs sold as replacements for incandescent lights.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that causes learning and developmental disabilities in children and harms Minnesota’s natural resources and wildlife. The single largest source of mercury in Minnesota is burning coal to produce electricity.

Many of our communities have instituted methods for safe disposal of hazardous waste. Mercury is one such hazardous product. Please familiarize yourself with proper disposal procedure in your community and then use it.

Please think before tossing that fluroscent bulb or tube.

For florescent light tubes we save the shipping sleeves that they come in for protection and we reuse them when we have a need for disposal. That way they don’t shatter before being transferred to the local hazardous waste disposal unit.