How Do Fluorescent Light Bulbs Effect Motor Skills?

• Fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs, last 10 times longer and are marketed as an energy efficient way to use electricity. There is another thing that fluorescent light bulbs have that ordinary bulbs do not: mercury. Mercury exposure in humans can lead to adverse health effects, including motor skill impairment.
  
  

How Much Mercury Do Fluorescent Light Bulbs Contain?

• According to Energy Star, there are 4 mg of mercury in each fluorescent light bulb. It is perfectly safe while the bulb is intact. However, the mercury is released into the air when the bulb is broken. Disposing of the bulbs is also a problem because their mercury will end up in the environment.
  
  

How Does Mercury Effect Health?

• Mercury is detrimental to human health and causes a variety of ailments. Fetuses, infants and children may experience neurological damage after mercury exposure. A baby whose mother consumed too much mercury during pregnancy may have brain damage, problems with the nervous system and problems with critical thinking skills and motor development. He may experience language and motor skill delays. Children who have been exposed to mercury may have a lower IQ and attention deficit disorders. These factors may result in difficulties in school.
  
  

What Do People With Mercury Poisoning Feel Like?

• People suffering from mercury poisoning lose control of their motor skills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, people with mercury poisoning lack coordination, slur their speech, have difficulty walking, experience muscle weakness and suffer impaired peripheral vision.
  
  

How Does Mercury Effect the Brain?

• Mercury effects the nervous system, decreasing electrical activity between neurons and blocking the release of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine. Dopamine is necessary for a person to be able to think, pay attention and use their fine motor skills. By blocking dopamine from being released into the system, mercury severely impairs and affects a person's brain activity and motor skills.
  
  

How Should One Clean Up A Broken Fluorescent Bulb?

• The Energy Star website lists specific steps that should be taken if a fluorescent bulb breaks. All people and pets should vacate the area, windows should be opened and the air conditioning or heating system should be turned off. The room should be aired out for 15 minutes. Later, all glass fragments should be collected and disposed of in a sealed plastic bag. Carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed, and the carpet bag thrown away. Clothing or bedding that may have been contaminated by the mercury should be thrown away.
  
  

Who Is Effected by Mercury Poisoning?

• While children are most severely effected by mercury exposure, it can adversely effect all ages. Adults may also experience a loss of motor skills, memory loss and tingling sensations when exposed to high levels of mercury. Fluorescent light bulbs must be handled with care to prevent mercury exposure, and if they are broken proper caution must be exercised to keep everyone exposed safe and healthy.