Though compact fluorescent lightbulbs - more commonly known as CFLs - are definitely more energy efficient and last longer than standard incandescent bulbs, they are still not without their own environmental concerns.

CFLs were introduced on the market year ago and were the source of complaints regarding noise and the amount of time it took for them to warm up, however since their inception, several improvements have been made to the bulbs to eliminate these issues. Unfortunately an issue with the bulbs that many consumers are still unaware of is their mercury content. When contained in the bulb, the levels of mercury -  approximately five milligrams - are safe, however if the bulbs are to break, the amount of the neurotoxin released has the potential to contaminate as much as 6,000 gallons of water beyond the level deemed safe for consumption. Buyers also shouldn't be fooled into thinking bulbs advertised as low-mercury are completely safe either - they still contain enough mercury to contaminate up to 1,000 gallons of water beyond safe drinking levels.

“Using them actually reduces overall emissions to the environment, even though they contain minuscule amounts of mercury in themselves,” said Mark Kohorst, senior manager for environment, health and safety for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

The problem, according to experts, is the lack of information surrounding the risks of the bulbs, including safe disposal procedures. Many individuals simply throw burned-out bulbs in the trash, and once they are there, will almost certainly shatter even if packaged properly, leading one industry expert to claim "this is an enormous amount of mercury that’s going to enter the waste stream at present with no preparation for it."

The opinions on the bulbs remains divided. On one hand, they undoubtedly conserve energy, significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions and are considered the best answer to energy efficiency for the future. Electric is so convinced of the promising future of energy-efficient bulbs, they plan to have an incandescent version that rivals a fluorescent bulb's efficiency but contains no mercury on the market by 2010. On the other hand, there are currently few facilities that are actually approved to safely handle the bulbs and only seven U.S. states ban disposing them as general waste, so until alternative options are available, the risk is still high.

In the meantime, if you do use CFLs, research the safe disposal and recycling options in your area and follow the proper clean-up steps below if one happens to break in your home.

Before cleanup: Vent the room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Cleanup steps for hard surfaces
3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of cleanup materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.

Future cleaning of carpeting or rug
10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

» MSNBC Environment