Mercury Poisoning (cont.)
What about mercury in fish?
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and
shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in
saturated fat, and contain
omega-3 fatty acids. A
well-balanced diet that
includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and
children's proper growth and development.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury. For
most people, the risk from exposure to methylmercury by eating fish and
shellfish is not a health concern. Yet some fish and shellfish contain higher
levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing
nervous system. The risks from methlymercury in fish and shellfish depend on the
amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of methylmercury in the fish.
Federal, state and local governments issue fish advisories when the fish are
unsafe to eat.
Fish Consumption Advisories - This page provides links to extensive
information on fish advisories, including advisories issued by state and local
governments and by the EPA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Fish Kids - This Web site uses interactive stories and games to teach kids
ages 8-12 about contaminants in fish and fish advisories.
What about mercury in fluorescent light bulbs
A fluorescent light bulb (also referred to as a "lamp") is a gas-discharge
bulb that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms
produce short-wave ultraviolet light that causes a phosphor to fluoresce,
producing visible light. Mercury is an essential component of all fluorescent
light bulbs, and allows these bulbs to be energy-efficient light sources.
Types of Fluorescent Bulbs
Tube: The standard straight "linear" tube comes in a variety of diameters
and lengths. For example:
- The T-4 is ½ inch in diameter and often used under
kitchen cabinets.
- The T-8 is 1 inch in diameter and the T-12 is 1½ inches in
diameter.
- Variations include the "U-tube" bent in half to form a U-shape, and
the "circline" tube bent into a circle.
- The larger-diameter tube fluorescents
are used in ceiling light fixtures.
Compact fluorescent light (CFL): This is a short bulb made of a tube about
the diameter of a pencil that has been either folded or twisted, resulting in an
overall size that rivals a standard incandescent light bulb. Since the CFL fits
into a standard light socket, the bulb and fixture design possibilities are
vastly increased over that of a fluorescent tube. CFLs are now available in a
variety of shapes, including spiral (twisted), short tube (folded over) and
globe. A globe CFL is either round or A-shaped glass that contains within it a
spiral or folded tube.
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
EPA encourages Americans to use compact fluorescent lights in order to save
energy. Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to CFLs is an effective,
simple change everyone can make right now to help use less electricity at home
and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change.
Learn about CFLs – General information on Energy Star-qualified compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), where to use CFLs in a home, and how to choose
the right type of CFL bulb.
CFLs contain a very
small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. No mercury is released
when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use, but CFLs can break and release
mercury vapor if dropped or roughly handled. EPA encourages consumers to handle
and use CFLs safely. Be careful when removing the bulb from its packaging,
installing it, or replacing it. More information is provided in the
Energy Star
fact sheet: CFLs and Mercury (PDF).
If a CFL breaks in your home, please follow EPA's recommended steps to
carefully clean up and dispose of broken bulbs. These recommendations will help
to minimize any exposure to released mercury vapor.
EPA encourages the
recycling of burned out fluorescent bulbs rather than
disposing of them in regular household trash. Recycling of burned out CFLs is
one of the best ways to help prevent the release of mercury to the environment
by keeping mercury out of landfills and incinerators. Recycling of these bulbs
also allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up
fluorescent lights.
Next: What about thimerosal in vaccines? »
- Childhood Vaccination Schedule - Read our printable children's immunization schedule and learn about vaccines for kids (Hib, polio, DTaP, MMR, HPV, flu, chickenpox, meningitis, rotavirus, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B).
- Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.
- Vaccination Schedule for Adults and Adolescents - Read the vaccination schedule for adults and teens, and learn about recommended immunizations for MMR, HPV, Td/Tdap, varicella, tetanus, shingles, hepatitis and typhoid.
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