Energy saving lamp breaks down Fast airing

Ventilate intensively for at least 15 minutes after breaking an energy-saving lamp

08/14/2012

Already the ZDF magazine „zoom“ reported in his latest issue on the health hazards of energy saving lamps. These contain highly toxic mercury. If such a lamp breaks, the room in which it happened should be immediately and thoroughly ventilated. This is referred to by the Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektroindustrie in Frankfurt am Main. When removing the lamp parts, there are also some important things to keep in mind.

From the first of September, only energy-saving lamps can be sold in Germany under EU law. Because the lamps are still relatively new to handle, there are some important aspects to keep in mind. If the lamps break, the room should be aerated intensively for at least 15 to 30 minutes. The energy-saving lamps contain toxic mercury and can cause lasting damage to your health. If the rooms were well ventilated, health damage is unlikely, as the Federal Environment Agency determined in a study.

The remaining fragments should be packed airtight in a plastic container and disposed of. However, the defective lamp must not be thrown into the regular household waste. Instead, the parts belong to a garbage collection point or recycling depots. In addition, many outlets accept old lamps.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, energy-saving lamps must not currently exceed the mercury value of 3.5 milligrams per lamp. From next year 2013, stricter guidelines will apply. Then only 2.5 milligrams are allowed. According to some research, especially low-cost products from Asia usually contain much higher levels of toxic mercury. (Sb)

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Image: Viktor Mildenberger