stoice Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 My mum smelt burning, both parents go straight to kitchen to investigate. Nothing. Then they notice thick blue/black smoke pouring from the side lamp in the hall. No power tripped off and lamp still works. I told her not to trust the lamp any more either way. Apparently the house reeked of a really toxic smell, it's lingered for days. I'm worried. These new bulbs contain mercury. The bulb is about a year old which considering they should last for 10 is really bad. Made by mazda. One section of the bulb where it meets the plastic has completely melted. I hope she hasn't got in contact with any mercury - what about the gas/smoke? She's going to write a letter to complain but at the most i bet she'll just get sent another bulb!! I'm worried we're all putting these things in our house to be 'green' when they cost more to produce, contain mercury, cost more to dispose of correctly, could contaminate the water table if thrown away in normal rubbish, and can cause headaches and make skin complaints worse as they are like flourescent lights. Read this too Soon we won't be able to buy the old style ones. We could all be sitting on a timebomb; if not in our homes, then in the landfill sites. Anyone else found similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I am sure watchdog did a programme on these a few months back (or Panorama) - I will NOT have them due to the fact that when they blow, they do it big time. There is also no "safe" and easy way to dipspose of them either. Be very careful if cleaning up mercury - and thoroughly ventilate the house. Sorry cannot offer any advice - as I say, will not entertain the things until they are made safer and more "clean" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The amount of mercury in those bulbs is tiny, I doubt there would be any side effects. The smoke and smell would be from the burning plastic. Contact Mazda, tell them what happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The amount of mercury in those bulbs is tiny, I doubt there would be any side effects. The smoke and smell would be from the burning plastic. Contact Mazda, tell them what happened. No, no, mercury is poisonous. Full stop. I would give Mazda hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Have to agree - any mercury spill no matter how small is not good. I had to recently deal with a relatively small spill - used a special kit to get all the "balls" coated, still tricky to then pick up - it just gets smaller and smaller. Rather be able to SEE the stuff than have an aerosol - no matter how many parts per million Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 That's what I thought SarahJo. My mum is a science technician in our local secondary school. I can remember a student dropping a thermometre and she had to get everone to the other side of the room and out came the thickest rubber gloves and disposal kit, sealed tight etc. Nasty stuff. If she knew mercury was in it I doubt she'd have picked the bulb up. I just hope it was just the plastic fumes and not teeny tiny bits of mercury in the air. OMG - I've just scared myself something silly by reading this I'm sure it's not that bad but worrying none the less, especially as all bulbs will be replaced with these new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Although, you are more likey to get mecury posioning from eating fish. Don't worry too much about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 i read a newspaper article about these it said that they emit cancerous UV LIGHT wich can give you cancer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Personally, I think these newspaper reports are over exaggerating(sp?) things, they want you to be scared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 When I was nursing we used to scoop up mercury with our hands from broken thermometers and roll it around No one mentioned how dangerous it was Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thats the thing Karen - it looks so pretty and appealing when its in balls and moving around, the only real problem is if you ingest (eat) or inhale (breath it in) - still best to wear gloves and not play with it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 i read a newspaper article about these it said that they emit cancerous UV LIGHT wich can give you cancer Hmm, I read something like that too but they also said 'testing revealed the potentially high levels of UV light, people using unencapsulated light bulbs - where the light coil is visible - closer than 30cms to the body for more than one hour a day.' So unless you go around hugging a bulb all day I'm sure you'll be fine. I understand the papers do exaggerate loads of stuff about new products. They seem to thrive on panicking people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Goodness, I didn't know HALF of this. I'm getting rid of the low energy ones tonight and out come the candles. At least it'll save electricity Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 ahhhhh...the days of mercury thermometers I remember them well, chasing the balls around the floor and the old sphygmometers (BP machines), and Sister and Nursing Officers, Cosultants in suits treated like God..... If the old thermometers were banned allegedly because of disposal problems as well as the obvious other ones, I dont understand why its all ok now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Well I didn't even know they contained mercury (e.s. lightbulbs that is not thermometrs) and I had one break in the box before I got to use it. I just cleared up the glass and chucked it away. I'm still here. There was no warning on the box, well not obvious anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aga n Chickens Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Hello all Just to add that we tried to put a new bulb in a socket controlled by a dimmer switch and the bulb went up in smoke We have since asked if there are any new bulbs on the market suitable for dimmer switches and so far we have be told that no new bulb is suitable for reduced or flickering lighting affects. Regards, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 I'm sure there are lots on the market that can dimmed Christine, a little pricey though http://www.lightonenergy.co.uk/Dimmable-Energy-Savers-s/98.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aga n Chickens Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Many thanks stoice.....just the ticket This time of year I need a nice bright light when I settle down to do my cross stitch (RRR chicken picture at the moment), but when the TV is on we like to turn the lights down. Good to know that we can now change to the low energy bulbs and the price should even out over time. I'll also take note of the thread and take care when handling any broken bulbs due to the mercury content (many thanks omleteers for that one, you learn something new every day on this site ) Regards, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I read that they can't get rid of the old style bulbs, because there are too many uses for them. I use them for heating Reptiles, for a chick brooder, and in theatre lights; all places where energy saving bulbs can't be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Goodness. I'll be carefull now if we manage to break one. I would never have thought about this. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I don't think that all energy saving lightbulbs have mercury in them though-I'd be surprised if they all did as there are so many makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
