Wal-Mart's bright idea.Fluorescent fluorescent having the quality of fluorescence. fluorescent antibody see fluorescence microscopy. fluorescent antibody test see fluorescence microscopy. light bulbs Last 10 times longer than incandescent in·can·des·cent adj. 1. Emitting visible light as a result of being heated. 2. Shining brilliantly; very bright. See Synonyms at bright. 3. bulbs, El use 75 percent less energy, produce fewer greenhouse gases greenhouse gas n. Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. greenhouse gas from power plants, and save $30 over the life of each bulb bulb, thickened, fleshy plant bud, usually formed under the surface of the soil, which carries the plant over from one blooming season to another. It may have many fleshy layers (as in the onion and hyacinth) or thin dry scales (as in some lilies)—both of which . They also cost more, give off harsher light, contain mercury (a potential pollutant pol·lut·ant n. Something that pollutes, especially a waste material that contaminates air, soil, or water. ), and look weird. As a result, almost nobody uses them at home. Wal-Mart hopes to change this with a marketing campaign to get the bulbs into 100 million U.S. homes by 2008. While this could save Americans $3 billion on their electric bills, critics say increased sales of the Asian-made bulbs could eliminate some U.S. jobs.
INCANDESCENT FLUORESCENT
Energy used (watts) 60 13
Light output (lumens) 850 800
Average cost (dollars) $0.25 to 0.60 $2 to 4
Annual savings (dollars) $0 $8
Annual carbon savings (pounds) 0 Roughly 100
Life (hours) 1,000 5,000 TO 10,000
Mercury in the bulb (milligrams) None 4
Mercury emissions (milligrams) * 10 2.4
Number of bulbs sold annually 1.5 to 2 billion 130 to 150 million
* from power plants
SOURCES: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY;
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE; ITRON; PHILIPS
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