Insidermedicine in 60 - February 27, 2008

From Toronto - In a study of over 4,000 patients who suffered a heart attack, those who took none of their prescription medicines following discharge from hospitals were 80% more likely to die during the first year following the event when compared to those who filled all of their medicines. Commonly prescribed medicines following heart attack include: beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins.

From Boston - In a study of energy-efficient light bulbs, researchers have found that the popular compact fluorescent bulbs pose a threat of mercury poisoning if they are broken. Although the bulbs only use about 1% of the mercury found in older thermometers, some of that mercury can be vaporized into the air if the light breaks. Vacuuming the shards is not recommended, instead use cardboard or index cards to pick up the pieces, wipe the area thoroughly with a damp paper towel, and ventilate the room. While CFL bulbs remain a good investment for their energy saving properties, they should never be thrown in the trash. Many stores and municipalities are beginning to offer CFL recycling facilities, and you should contact your local authorities for more information.

And finally, from the UK - A meta-analysis is casting doubt on the efficacy of SSRIs for the treatment of all but severe depression. Researchers noted that those who received these medicines rarely had an improvement in symptoms that were significantly better than those taking placebo. Only those with severe depression demonstrated any significant therapeutic benefit.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• statin
• lipitor
• vasotec
• cfl
• compact
• fluorescent
• green
• energy
• light
• lamp
• mercury
• poison
• disposal
• home
• depot
• zoloft
• prozac

[angryadrien]

the CFL recycling program should have been in place long before these bulbs were introducted into the market

[jecwhiz]

also CFL are fire hazards too! Google keyword "impact televideo CFL fires" if you also click on images on google you will see lots of burnt CFL fire fires or smoking. Also google "Whitehorse house CFL fire" which destroyed a family's house. Those CFL would leave people homeless!

[envirotruth]

Mercury are not the only health hazard associated with CFL's...they also emit radio frequency radiation and ultra violet radiation which contribute to "dirty electricity" and adverse health effects. They also can interfer with implanted medical devices such as pacemakers. for more google: Dr. Magda Havas and dirty electricity.

[CleanGreenLight]

Every year in the US, take 12 tons of volatile, highly toxic metal mercury, divide it into millions of tiny fragile packages (CFL bulbs) and distribute them to the general population, without any warning of danger to life.

There is no way that 12 tons of mercury can be recovered at the end of the bulbs life.

The deadly mercury will accumulate in the bones, brain & vital organs of the whole population and their children.

[CleanGreenLight]

The average household has 50 light bulbs, with an average life of 10 years. Each CFL bulb contains 20mg of mercury, so the mercury waste from one household is 1 gram every decade. With a toxic TLV of 25 microgrammes per cubic metre, that is potentially 40,000 cubic metres of toxic mercury vapour.

There are 30 million households in the UK alone, so that represents 30 metric tonnes of mercury released every decade, enough to pollute over 1000 cubic kilometres per decade.

[jayguy173]

when they burn out i put them back in the original case so they dont break before taking them to be recycled

[CaptianKay]

big surprize that they died. when dr.s give u meds its a good idea to take them.

[dashj2]

In Canada, you can return your CFL light bulbs to any Home Depot store to be recycled, and I'm sure the same is true for most hardware stores across North America.

In the frenzy to save energy by using more efficient light bulbs, it seems the importance of proper disposal has become lost in the mix.