Compact fluorescent light bulbs are replacing incandescent light bulbs in gardens. The only concern I’ve really seen or heard is the mercury issue. I was at first concerned as well, until I researched a bit more and found out just how much mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs really contain.

The amount is 4 to 5 milligrams per bulb. That amount of mercury is about the size of the period at the end of this sentence; in other words, not much. I’m sure most people are familiar with old home thermometers, the ones that used rising mercury to indicate temperature. Old mercury thermometers like that contained around 500 milligrams, over a hundred times more than any compact fluorescent light bulb. Where was the hubbub back then? You’d have to break over a hundred compact fluorescents and dump them all in the same tiny pile to even get close to being even with an old mercury thermometer break.

We know how much mercury a compact fluorescent light bulb contains, but what about mercury emissions produced from powering light bulbs? In the US, about half the population receives power from coal-burning power plants. Mercury is released into the air when coal is burned, so it matters how much energy is required to power the bulb. Keeping a home garden running smoothly and growing well requires more light bulbs than just lighting a room, so it’s important to consider the impact of the energy use.

The amount released is cumulative; the more power produced, the more mercury goes out. Incandescent light bulbs then, requiring far more energy than compact fluorescent light bulbs, cause comparatively large amounts of mercury emissions to be produced. Consider that a compact fluorescent light bulb lasts 7500 hours (this is a conservative estimate; in fair conditions, they can last over 10,000 hours). Mercury emissions to power a 20 watt CFL for 7500 hours would be around 3.51mg. Now, replace the 20 watt CFL with a 75 watt incandescent and power it and its replacements for 7500 hours. This would create 13.16 mg of mercury emissions. Even if the compact fluorescent broke at any point and the mercury got out, there would still be more mercury released into the environment from incandescent light bulbs.

When it’s put into perspective like that, the mercury in compact fluorescent light bulbs seems far less dire, and the case for using CFLs in gardening grows even stronger. Any place powered by coal will produce less mercury if CFLs are used instead of incandescent light bulbs; that’s over half the US. Couple that with all the other reasons to use compact fluorescents in gardening and you’ve got a clear choice: compact fluorescent light bulbs for your garden.

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About the Author:
Written by Blair E. and originally submitted to ArticlesBase.com.
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Ensuring that your family eats right is no easy task.  You want to know that everyone in the family is consuming a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables each day in order to live a long and healthy life.  Promoting healthy living is essential in an age where television, video games, and computers rule the lives of many people, young and old alike.  When you are out grocery shopping, however, purchasing fruits and vegetables is not always on the top of the list.  One reason many people skip over such important food groups is the length of shelf life.  These items often spoil before they are eaten and enjoyed.  That is why many people around the globe turn to their own production of produce.  A fruit garden is just one way to maintain a steady supply of a very important food group.  Starting a fruit garden provides sustenance, aesthetics, and a peaceful way to spend some free time gardening.  Beginning with a blackberry plant and continuing to an apple tree, you can give yourself a garden to be proud of.

Grocery store fruits are great, but you must consume them quickly before they spoil.  Since the stores are looking out for their own profits, they do not always purchase fresh, local fruits.  More often than not, the fruits you find at the store are making their way into your refrigerator all the way from Mexico or beyond.  They will likely still taste great, but after such a long journey, their life in your hands is cut way short.  When you allow yourself the opportunity to watch fruit plant grow and mature, you have the luxury of knowing exactly when they ripen and for how long their fruits are good.  

Fruit is expensive too.  After such a long import process, the cost just continues to rise.  In addition to the import, farmers around the world are facing heavy taxation for their goods and consequently must charge a lot more to the stores.  These fees trickle right down to the consumer.  And while many people would like to support their local farmers, the costs for their products can be astronomical.  It is easy to understand why when you see their small operations and what they are taxed for their land, but it makes it difficult for the average family to afford their products.  

Berries tend to be the highest priced fruit of them all.  They are generally grown on a smaller scale and are more difficult to produce and harvest than larger fruits.  Planting a blackberry plant or growing your own strawberries is a great way to save on these costs.  It may seem like a lot of work, but it is actually quite easy to maintain a successful fruit garden.  The availability of seeds and plants is astounding.  You can find them in any nursery or even purchase them over the Internet.  It is even possible to go online and purchase a blackberry plant that is ready to go right into your garden.

There are many reasons to begin your fruit garden.  Of course, there are the obvious health benefits.  You can keep your family healthy and energized with a proper amount of fruit in their diet.  The financial benefits are not too shabby either.  By growing your own produce, you save on expensive purchases at the store and on the gas to get there.  Then there is the enjoyment factor.  Planting and maintaining your own strawberry, blueberry, blackberry plant, and any other fruit you decide on provides a peaceful escape from the stresses of the day.  Enjoy some time alone or with the family in your fruit garden, knowing how much better everyone in the family will be eating.

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About the Author:
Sandy Winslow is a writer on topics relating to health and wellness. Growing everything from a blackberry plant to strawberries to start a delicious fruit garden.
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We have all used fans before to cool us down. What if these fans provided a cool mist as well? Would that keep you cooler? The answer is yes, up to 30 degrees cooler. A Portable Misting Fan can keep your family and friends cool and comfortable for hours.

This type of Mist Fan capitalizes on the natural phenomenon called flash evaporation. Like all other Misting System, the Portable Misting Fan has a pumping system that sprays out fine water droplets that quickly evaporate to lower the surrounding air temperature. This Misting Fan can be used indoors. However, it is the perfect Outdoor Cooling system for people who enjoy going outdoors during blazing hot summer days.

While you may think your picnic, barbecue, or family gathering is as perfect as it can be, imagine how much the scene could be improved if everyone was not sweltering in the heat, but was instead being cooled down by a Portable Misting System. These Portable Misting Fans even come with an oscillating option, so that large parties can be cooled down by one fan that significantly reduces the temperature.

Gardeners and those who do other outdoor work can also benefit greatly from a portable misting fan. Some Misting Fans come on wheels or on a cart so they are easily moved as you work on your yard or garden. How great would it be to enjoy your hobby without the discomfort of the blazing heat?

These Misting Fans even come in different sizes. 16 inch fans are perfect for small parties, but large parties or gatherings will need a much larger size up to 48 inches. Commercial Misting Fans are the best option for this situation, as they are able to cool down an area ranging up to 1,000 square feet.

For those who enjoy taking outdoor vacations during sweltering summer days, a battery-powered hand-held Misting Fan would be the ultimate gadget. A small, hand-held Misting Fan can be powered by two AA batteries and can give up to 1000 shots of Misting.

With all of these choices available, it is important to keep in mind how you will use the Portable Misting Fan before you purchase it. Please review the following websites to find an large variety of Portable Misting Fans or a Misting Fan Expert.

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About the Author:
The Portable Misting Fan websites are: Portable-mistingfan.com, Portablemistingfan.net, Portablemistfan.com or Portablemisting.com for a wide variety of Misting Fans and Misting Systems for all price ranges. Many people will not require the Commercial Misting Fan. For use at your home, a 24 inch or 30 inch Misting Fan would probably be perfect for your needs.
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