Approximately 90 percent of compact fluorescent light bulbs are being tossed in the trash, potentially contaminating the environment with mercury, according to CTV Toronto.

 

The Recycling Council of Ontario says that most consumers are not safely disposing the energy-efficient bulbs that contain approximately five milligrams of mercury each. The heavy metal has been shown to cause brain damage if inhaled or ingested.

 

"I don't think most consumers know that there's potentially hazardous material inside a bulb," Jo-Anne St. Godard, the executive director of the recycling council, said.

 

The lack of awareness means more than seven million curly light bulbs and approximately nine million fluorescent tubes end up in landfills. St. Godard says the mercury inside those used lights eventually contaminate the environment when it's released into the land or air.

 

"The release might be instant if it's in the form of vapor. It could also be released over time if it goes into a hazardous landfill and takes some time for the bulb to break down," she said.

 

The council says it wants the Ontario government to launch an awareness and education campaign about the light bulbs. It says they also want the bulb to be banned in landfills.

 

What to do with if you accidentally break a CFL bulb or fluorescent tube?

 

• Ventilate: Open windows and doors for approximately 10 minutes

• Leave the room

• Turn off the ventilation

• Carefully scoop up the remains and avoid contact with the broken light bulb