It's not long now before we will have no option but to use long-life light bulbs in our homes. For many of us it's one eco-friendly step too far.

But a dimmer living room and risk of eye-strain may be the least of our worries. In the rush to get us using greener, more energy-efficient light bulbs, authorities here have forgotten to engage in any public information campaign about their health risks.

These new light bulbs, unlike the conventional versions, contain small amounts of mercury. Each has enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen. Breathing in mercury vapour can lead to coughing, breathlessness, chest pains, inflammation of the lungs and sore eyes.

If you break one of these bulbs the chances are some of the mercury will escape. It's important to say this is not enough to create a health scare because experts say the amounts of mercury are likely to be so low.

But in the UK the government has seen fit to issue safety guidelines on what actions people should take to avoid risk of exposure from a broken light bulb.  They also have instructions for people on how to dispose of them because these bulbs should never be put in the rubbish bin. When contacted, the Environmental Protection Agency here admitted that no national guidelines exist in this country. The advice is to follow the UK instructions.

The spokesperson here said if someone has broken a long-life light bulb they should leave the room and ventilate it for 15 minutes. Wear rubber gloves and cardboard to scoop up glass shards and avoid inhaling dust from the bulb.

Put the remains in a plastic bag. Wipe the area with a clean cloth and then discard it in the bag.  Check with your local authority on how to dispose of it because mercury should not be put with household trash. "What little risk exists can be mitigated by proper clean-up. These procedures may seem like overkill but they ensure the broken bulb does not become a health problem," said the spokesperson.

All of this is news to many of us who have seen conventional bulbs being gradually phased out before disappearing completely by 2012.

The other big headache is how to dispose of these bulbs, even those which haven't broken. The Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson said to go to the local civic amenity where recycling bins are located. Then deposit it in a lamp recycling bin -- although it is unclear how many of these exist around the country.

If I live in west Kerry and have no transport where do I find a lamp recycling bin? Even if I have a car, I am using up energy to drive to the recycling depot, and that's not good for the environment.

Mercury should never be buried in landfill because the heavy metal will build up each time it passes up the food chain.  The reality is that many of these are being piled into domestic rubbish bins and the damage that is being done is silent and corrosive over time.

The EU has ordered member states to phase out the traditional bulbs because they were regarded as energy guzzlers. The energy-saving bulbs are more expensive to buy but over time lower our electricity bills. Of course, it has been adopted with gusto by green campaigners but crucial safety messages for the public have so far been neglected.

In other countries special bins where the new bulbs can be disposed of are being placed outside supermarkets. Ireland should follow but also ensure people are warned of risk, however small, should one break in their own home.

independent.ie