Dangers of CFL Bulbs

[@sw4670]

I'm impressed with your channel. Efficient, informative and optimizing life! You remind me so much of my cousin, he's an engineer and always optimizing everything. I started sharing your videos with him and we really enjoy them! Keep up the good work!

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks! And thanks for sharing with your cousin! =D

[@juliemix4806]

I found out about the dangers of these years ago. At that time my mother was replacing most of her incandescent bulbs with them to save on electrity. I hated them. The delay to light up drove me crazy. I looked into them and found out about the mercury and pretty much freaked out. We went back to incandescents. Plus those pigtail ones are so ugly. Thanks for posting about this. Loved your drawings and instructions. Very cleverly done. Cheers.

[@BeatTheBush]

=D Well.. that or go with LEDs then.

[@faberalvis6310]

"..and click that bell icon so you get a new ble bl blah" lol

[@BeatTheBush]

=D You probably heard it before. I should just say insert stuff from before.

[@sdrfz]

Some states require that you dispose of CFLs as hazardous waste, due to the mercury content. The EPA also recommends not disposing of them as household garbage.

[@BeatTheBush]

CA requires this and I do this by taking it to a special recycling center where they take CFLs, lead acid batteries, and all kinds of other stuff like old paint, chemicals, etc.

[@sogerc1]

I knew about this and I'm handling them like they were eggs or something. I'm glad you made this video because people don't know. I'm also telling everyone all the time.

[@BeatTheBush]

Talk about it. I wish more to know and know what to do if in the event it happens.

[@sw4670]

I work for the health dept. and we discovered a free radon kit test for the home. We called and got free tests for our families during Christmas last year and gave them out. Radon is odorless, colorless and toxic coming from the ground. We sent it our test and the results came back. We were thankful to know that it was over the "safe" limit. We got a meter that tells us the level of radon in the house and had to make some adjustments in the house to keep the radon level low. This is an excellent way to test your place for radon and a lot of people are not aware of it, and that they can get tested through the health dept for free.

[@BeatTheBush]

Huh... where to get the radon test kit for free?

[@sw4670]

Every state is different, you may want to try your states public health department to find out more info, get a free test or an inexpensive one. They offer short term immediate testing or long term that takes around 3 months for a more accurate reading. It is small device they either will send you or have an inspector come and place a small test in the lowest level, most lived in area. You either send it in or they come collect it and give you the results. I have done this in two states so it is a little different. Radon can cause lung cancer and a stream of other health problems. They will usually have a map of areas affected with higher levels which is found on the public health department website. My previous comment, we were not happy to have a higher level reading but very thankful to have caught it and got it down to nearly zero! It should be mentioned more, I remember learning about it in college and they showed us where to get free kits. Your video reminded me of this radon tid bit so just sharing some public health info lol.

[@Gerard_vincent]

Good video. There is a lot of mercury in tube Fluorescent lights. I prefer LED light bulbs. Plus they burn at a lower wattage compared to CFL bulbs.

[@BeatTheBush]

Very true. Lower energy use is always welcomed.

[@rcforrichard6245]

Thats a good regulation idea. Putting the clean up instructions on the box or in a manual. Good video.

[@BeatTheBush]

I guess they do not do it with thermometers but many people already know that one. CFL not so much.

[@AndrewKNI]

Wow, scary prospect given that 90% of my bulbs are small CFL. Must check out LED bulbs.

[@BeatTheBush]

A good buy if you can get them for less than $2 each. Just be done with it at that point.

[@AndrewKNI]

Very good L C - thank you.

[@preacherman9018]

My ceiling light just burned out. I just saw a small flame at the base of the cfl twisted fluorescent bulb in my living room when the bulb burned out. It was literally a flame, so I turned off the switch. Then I looked at it. The glass was not visibly broken, but I'm concerned that mercury escaped from beneath the visible area as the white plastic area surrounding was burnt brown. Any ideas as to whether the gas escaped? I don't trust them and will be disposing of my fluorescent bulbs.

[@Thane36425]

CFLs can also burn out older lamp sockets. I had two old lamps burn out in this way. I was able to replace the socket on one but not the other. Also there are special disposal rules, meaning you aren't supposed to throw these things out in the regular trash, but most people will end up doing so anyway. So all those decades spent getting mercury out of landfills and the water system up in smoke.

[@BeatTheBush]

I haven't seen that but perhaps if they malfunction it can indeed do that. I certainly recycle all of them at a hazardous waste facility.

[@ef5842]

I broke one the other day. That's why I found your video. Thanks.

[@liyanareano4571]

Did yoi air the room afterwards, did you get sick or do you feel okay?

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

I work in a large office building where CFL's are very carelessly handled and discarded all the time. What is a good way to bring this up? I am worried about my health and who knows how many have already been broken in that office building. Many of our custodians don't speak English very well.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

I'm very tempted to just sneak in on a Saturday and replace them all with LED's at my own expense, to be honest. But then I might be accused of something malicious.

[@BeatTheBush]

Office buildings uses long tubes usually. To replace them with LEDs is very expensive. If you are talking about just the bulbs, there is a way to propose a solution in terms of it being more efficient and will save the company money.

[@ThePeterDislikeShow]

No, they're actual CFL's. This is a giant company with multiple layers of managers, I have a feeling my comment about costs will be lost in a sea of other matters. But I want it to be seen that CFL's aren't just your normal benign pieces of trash.

[@MelissaBrownapt215]

NEWEST HOBBY: Editing techniques, special effects rock star. Lol. . . really enjoyed the editing on your hobbies video and the visuals on handling the broken bulb.

[@BeatTheBush]

Ha ha! Glad you liked it!

[@mrj-charles6383]

My personal residence has mainly LED bulbs. Just the basement and another room I never use have the CFL still. I took all my spare CFL bulbs and put them in the rental houses I have.

[@BeatTheBush]

That's it, I tried to find every CFL I could and they're going to recycling. =D

[@BznKL8182]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@philipjnz9923]

I cracked a ceiling light bulb while on top of a ladder at work last year. I even cut my self because the bulb was dried out. I mustve touched and smelled everything when it cracked since I stayed up on the ladder till I put the new one in. Later on I spoke with a coworker and he mentioned that light bulbs are toxic when broken, I had heard that before but completely forgot about it at the time. Im doing good healthwise so far, but idk if there will be long term problems later on :/ any advice? Im 22.

[@rokcestnik8761]

From what I gathered you should not worry. Just dont do that on regular basis....

[@philipjnz9923]

@@rokcestnik8761 Thanks yea I looked more into it too, hopefully one minor exposure to it wont be a problem

[@samin90]

A CFL bulb started smoking and burning at my parent's place and they had to call the fire department. They switched to LEDs exclusively after that, the government of Ontario gave incredible rebates that made the switch a no brainer. We're talking $7 off a $8 3 pack of 60 watt replacements that use like 7 watts each. Better light output too, I always found that CFLs had poor colour rendering and the flickering towards the end of their life was nauseating

[@BeatTheBush]

I've had that happen one time too. It just burnt out. I just though heck... I'll plop some money down and replace everything. I just don't want those things anymore.

[@NovaEra520]

Hello I want to use the glass from a cfl tube for water drink, how to clean safe? use iodine it is ok?

[@BeatTheBush]

No, don't do that. Not even after washing. Mercury in it is poisonous.

[@MelissaBrownapt215]

WOW. GREATHEALTH TIP: I buy LED, but had no idea that CFLs contain mercury. Consumer Energy gave free CFL bulbs to tenants in my building last year, no warning. I have 4. Funny, I just knocked over a lamp with just those bulbs, lol, but the plastic shade hit my head and nothing was broken. It probably would break ON carpet, but might fall from a desk already shattered onto carpetting. Imagine using them in a kids play room or around a pool. Unsafe. I'll bet people dont know to take those precautions. That is actually kind of scary.

[@BeatTheBush]

Yeah... if it breaks, they might try to vacuum it up themselves.

[@gn6300]

Thank you. I didn't know, but I've been buying LED bulbs. I do have some CFL bulbs in the cabinet.

[@BeatTheBush]

Time to get rid of them too!

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

Great video. This is why my hubby does not like these bulbs.

[@BeatTheBush]

Yeah... if only I knew sooner. But then before, LED bulbs were not so cost effective. It has become cheap enough that you can buy them for safety reasons.

[@CentsibleLivingWithMoneyMom]

I love all the great ideas you come up with for video ideas. I was wondering if you follow anyone like Dave Ramsey, etc? Thanks for all you do.

[@BeatTheBush]

I've seen his videos but no I do not watch his video regularly.

[@ross4675]

My 250w cfl went on fire about 10 mins ago.... Good thing I was here, the plastic and other stuff really stinks.... Major freak out.....

[@clw1935]

Got a new haircut... Looks like u found an old flowbee on CL! Lol great video as always

[@BeatTheBush]

Lol... I think I need to fix a few bits here and there. Thanks!

[@50tigres79]

Great video!

[@nostalgiachase]

I'm pretty sure that fluorescent bulbs also have mercury in it, but in our house, in our basement, we have a bunch of those fluorescent bulbs that light up our entire basement. But the rest of the lights in our house are either smart lights, LEDs, or incandescent bulbs. We don't use CFLs in our house, but our neighbors do.

[@davishlamburnt3734]

Same for the long tubes for office lights isn't it?

[@BeatTheBush]

Yes, but those are harder to access.

[@davishlamburnt3734]

I used to play pool as a hobby and during a game someone raised their cue and popped one of those. I told everybody to get back but what did I know.

[@aquatrax123]

I will stick with LED lights for everything. Plus who wants to wait for CFLs to warm up.

[@BeatTheBush]

Some CFLs have quick on no warm ups. LEDs are expensive at times unless you get them at a sale. Actually, I think I might just go and upgrade them all just for the hell of it. I don't want to do clean up again. Btw, watch out for LED 60W equivalent where some are 7.5W to 9.5W. Somehow they have less efficient ones these days.

[@natashanonnattive4818]

@@BeatTheBush They use no electric thats the plus side. Frugal shoppers

[@exoticcar5482]

@@BeatTheBush Been 3 years and LEDs have significantly come down in cost

[@kevin46942]

Hi I’m slowly changing my CFL Bulbs to LED as they wear out.

[@BeatTheBush]

That's what I'm doing but I got fed up with the extreme procedure to clean it. It takes hours of waiting for it to air out.

[@kevin46942]

BeatTheBush Hi I think you mean wear out not air out!!

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

I had a 25w incandescent that I left on 24/7 for over 5 years in a dark hallway that had no switch. It finally blew!

[@BeatTheBush]

5 years? I want longer.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Notice how most any time an incandescent bulb blows out it's when you switch it on. The on/off cycles tend to stress the filament so by leaving it on this one lasted me a pretty long time.

[@fourtysix4646]

I have an incandescent lightbulb in my cold cellar that is almost 40 years old and still works fine. Sure it only gets used a few hours a week but it’s still going... I have changed the whole house to either led or cfl and don’t want to change that one till it dies...

[@dominicschmitz7894]

I like cfl bulbs but the thing I do not like about cfl bulbs is they start fires and contain mercry.

[@Calferr]

Your the best 👍🏽

[@BeatTheBush]

=D

[@pinksmartiesag]

This is great. Thanks.

[@LAviation87]

I just broke a cfl bulb and breathed some in what do i do please help!

[@HeLLjumpeR8492]

Mine098 Vlogs r u ok?

[@kauigirl808]

Wow. I've never broken any bulbs. And I've dropped them. But I've changed to L.E.D. because its supposed to be cheap to use in the long run. Just not cheap to buy. Did you get a hair cut 🤗🤗

[@BeatTheBush]

Oh yes, I need to touch it up a bit. I cut my own hair on video a few videos ago.

[@kauigirl808]

BeatTheBush Yes I remember the hair demo lol no your hair is fine 🤗

[@BeatTheBush]

I saw a little sticking out, lol.

[@kauigirl808]

BeatTheBush OK yeah you're right lol but the messy look is pretty much the trend these days so I'm sure no one noticed 😁😁

[@MelissaBrownapt215]

Me too. Same reason, but I really dont like the look, either.

[@wathah323]

And the 3rd one is when you were filming this LOL

[@natashanonnattive4818]

Excellent presentation Thanks for being an activists and fellowman supporter

[@BeatTheBush]

=D

[@mindibear]

I like the demonstration with the cartoon bulb, that was cute.

[@BeatTheBush]

=D

[@k.w.1459]

Please do not throw these bulbs in trash even broken or whole. Check your local DPW. I’m able to return them to my hardware store for proper disposal. LEDs are the way to go! I just swapped out like 20 bulbs to LED in my rental property

[@cyberwolfe]

3:19 - Did that CFL light bulb behind you just become self aware? I think it moved!!!

[@silverplug]

I clicked the bell button. Will I get a BleBlaBla? I have a mighty need!

[@BeatTheBush]

Lol, you will ummm get a notification?

[@thefishguy1241]

The amount of mercury in CFL bulbs is very small up to 4 or 5 miligrams and only a fraction of this mercury evaporates and gets breathed in I have only broken one CFL bulb in school but but only cracked a very small bit and only one glass shard flew out the bulb but nothing happened and evrybody was safe that day🙂

[@isabelatticus4039]

I found that out the first time I broke one. Luckily it was right when I moved into my house. We only had two at the time. As they burnt out, we replaced them with the LED. Luckily Home Depot had an awesome deal on them 4 years ago. Lol.

[@BeatTheBush]

Nice... But with this danger, I think it would be better to switch them out even before they burn out for safety.

[@silviag3798]

LEDs have the added advantage of giving out very clear light that's almost like daylight.

[@BeatTheBush]

I didn't even realize that some of my bulbs took a while to warm up. After the switch, they come on instantly. I'm never using any CFL that needs to warm up now.

[@Places2GoTravel]

LED=Large Electricity Discount 😜👍❤️

[@BeatTheBush]

Yep. It's pretty nice!

[@ddevine123]

you really did mess your hair up good lol

[@BeatTheBush]

Ha ha! No problem!

[@BalloonsFTW4]

Here before 1k views :) nice video as always.

[@BeatTheBush]

=D Thanks for your view. =D

[@bernadettejavier8184]

Thanks for those tips, BeatTheBush. Yes, the manufacturers of those CFL's should include instructions on how to properly dispose of those bulbs. Errm, trying a different hairstyle today?

[@BeatTheBush]

I think I messed up styling it today. Must work on improving!

[@MelissaBrownapt215]

At least put WARNING on package, just like they do with certain chemicals. "Danger if broken." EZ

[@TimeLessEntityT0]

November 1 Credit score update. My score is now upto 724. Everyone keep working to drive up your scores.

[@BeatTheBush]

HA HA HA. Nice. Which methods are you following? The spend lots and pay before statement date to increase limit? Or are you on to the 720+ video?

[@TimeLessEntityT0]

My secret is paying off debt on my credit card. My score in June was 674 and its un now to 724. I still have debt so as each month I pay more off, my score continues to rise.

[@MelissaBrownapt215]

Congrats.

[@TimeLessEntityT0]

+ken x Your credit score depends on 35% Payment History, 30% Debt Usage, 15% Credit Age, 10% on how many different types of loans you have, 10% on how often banks are looking at your score for loans. When you look at your own score, that does not count of a credit inquiry.

[@Naturenerd1000]

Marcury goes through pastic though.

[@BeatTheBush]

Hmmm... not a good way to store in a plastic bag for long term then.

[@gsilverstone]

So creative!!! Cool visualization! :-)

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks! =D

[@MISJPEREZ]

Public Service announcement is Good. had no idea.

[@BeatTheBush]

=D Time to get rid of those CFLs with quicker haste than before.

[@bcvaldez9]

That's a great reason to use LED.

[@BeatTheBush]

It really is. Even now I would pay a little more just to do it.

[@vexpressivo]

This video did not get monetized

[@BeatTheBush]

Ahhh, no worries, things like that happen sometimes.

[@tdgdbs1]

The amount of mercury is minuscule. You will expose to more mercury by eating certain fishes. Few decades ago, when I worked as a registered nurse; had broken hundreds of thermometers and spilled mercury all over the floor. How things have changed.

[@BeatTheBush]

Ha ha ha... not true. 4 mg in a CFL and 20 ug in one serving of Tuna. CFL has 200x the mercury and the problem is inhaling it is a much different story.

[@tdgdbs1]

Are we talking about vapor that mixes with ambient air then pass though respiratory track or are we chewing and swallowing the CFL bulbs? Just kidding! Mercury is a heavy metal and will most likely settle on the floor before it evaporate to you nostril. EX: One cubic meter of water weighs 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds); one cubic meter of air weighs 1.2 kg (2.6 pounds); and one cubic meter of mercury weighs 13,545 kg (29,861 pounds).

[@BeatTheBush]

Good point. But it's in powder form so don't breath in the powder.

[@G5rry]

You wouldn't be breathing in all the mercury from a bulb, while you would be eating all the mercury in the tuna.

[@G5rry]

The powder is not mercury.

[@TraderPulse]

I just watch your videos to check you sub count :)

[@BeatTheBush]

I guess that's a good thing too.. it's creeping up there!

[@sethbingo]

Under 301 Club! View count must be under 301 to join.

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks for watching so early! =D

[@Atethecat]

I love you, but "stick it outside somewhere" is careless advice! Give eco-friendly advice instead of telling people to transfer the danger to nature.

[@BeatTheBush]

HA HA HA! You implied I'm telling people to dump it. You must put it outside so the vapors do not dwell in the home. You of course 'put it outside' for storage. And this is to be recycled with hazardous waste and not put in the trash or landfill bin.

[@natashanonnattive4818]

@@BeatTheBush What if you have no access to recycling or hazzards disposal? We don't have any hazmat containers.

[@jlina]

ROFL...did you just say, bleg, blah blah blah at the end? :) Gah, yes, I live in fear of this! Use very few of them. So glad I never broke one. I agree with LED. Yesterday got 2 GE 40 watts for $4.00 @ Dollar General. Plus you know you've got to supposedly recycle those bulbs, but umm, you know I just throw them away. ACK

[@BeatTheBush]

ACK! Yeah... I recycle all of mine. I meant to put them outside for storage. Until they can be recycled.

[@jlina]

We don't have recycling here like you do in CA I think....I'd have to figure out where/how to take it somewhere - maybe the city once a month or something. It's why I rarely buy them...maybe 8 or them ever? Plus you know, to me they just look like cr*p inside a ceiling fan. Aesthetic goals!

[@BeatTheBush]

Oh... I have to take them to the recycling place, they don't do pick up of hazardous waste. Home dept recycles the bulbs at the entrance.

[@jlina]

BeatTheBush they do? Thanks I'll check it out. I remember saving all these shampoo bottles once only to find no one would take them to recycle. I'll do an update on it :). Well looks like my city won't take them but Home Depot might. I remember watching the Mercury from broken thermometers roll around several times as a child lol... so...it's good to be cautious but :) at least I did seal it in two plastic bags. blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/07/31/cfl_mercury-2/

[@SHARPGFX-dc9gj]

I use tubelight.

[@Rhythmsonido]

LED also is not that great for your health. The best are incandescent bulbs, followed by halogen bulbs..

[@WhiteGeared]

No, that small amount of Mercury bears seemingly no hazard. That's just to spend time by working for shit.

[@BeatTheBush]

Sure, you can do as you please.

[@WhiteGeared]

Well, thanks I suppose.

[@MB-st7be]

A tiny drop of mercury is not a health hazard. Well, maybe to an amoeba.

[@BeatTheBush]

Would you eat it?

[@MB-st7be]

Breaking a lamp isn't really the same as EATING mercury.

[@MB-st7be]

No. But would you eat bleach? I bet you don't mind having bleach in your house.

[@fourtysix4646]

Breaking a cfl bulb once or twice in your lifetime isn’t as bad as the mercury you get from eating tuna.

[@greenbeacon394]

This guy has obviously never broken an 8-foot fluorescent Bulb

[@lastempire7302]

Ikea will recycle your burnt CFL bulbs for free at their stores; HOWEVER, it is 100% guaranteed that you will break the bulb by rolling them into the collection bin with 2' drop. I am not sure what Ikea did to address this hazardou issue, i just hold my breath everytime i walk pass there.

[@BeatTheBush]

Oh my... they need some way to softly roll them into the bin. You really cant put a few layers of cfl bulbs on top of each other.

[@SuperMrAntman]

i did break a cfl bulb once n carried out a hazmat cleanup.... never buying one again

[@BeatTheBush]

Hazmat cleanup is the word to describe it. It's like drop everything and do this first! It's very disruptive and I hated it. Airing things out for 3+ hours is not fun.

[@oliverpony]

they smell real bad when they burn out

[@rand-san2095]

I think both Dollar Tree and Walmart are really cheap LED bulbs. I can't speak for their quality though.

[@BeatTheBush]

The estimated lifetime can vary a lot along with the amount of energy used. Some LED 60W equivalent will draw 7 Watts, others as high as 9.5 Watts.

[@m7amedk]

2:03 asmr anyone?

[@BeatTheBush]

=D I guess ASMR accident.

[@DC-ef8op]

I hate cfls

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

I do too! I can't understand why they still make them or why stores still carry them. I don't even want those things in my house! I only use LED.

[@bojanglesjacksonthe3rd805]

I was just sitting in my room and my light started flashing and all,of a sudden started smoking. Turned out it was a cfl in the lamp. Scared the crap out of me to think what would have,happened if i wasn't in the room and it caught fire

[@chandlerdempsey8412]

I don't like cfl or led bulbs.

[@BeatTheBush]

yeah... some ppl have that preference.

[@coinstacks2455]

Your hair looks weird today.

[@BeatTheBush]

I know. I think I forgot to style it, lol.

[@doritominendres117]

liked

[@ЦарНикола]

Led lights have shorter "life" time.

[@BeatTheBush]

Are you talking about the limited light spectrum?

[@ЦарНикола]

BeatTheBush LED bulbs have more parts in it sometimes the 1watt led fail and burn all leds on the row sometimes the capacitor ,for three months and the bulb will not function properly.

[@cjewe1z]

Beat The (George W) Bush, which type of lights are the best value?

[@BeatTheBush]

LEDs if you can get them for under $2 each.

[@cjewe1z]

BeatTheBush, thank you.

[@LuisVelazquezLV3]

LOL blah blah blah

[@BeatTheBush]

=D