Kailume Lightsticks

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Question:

Do you have procedures in place to recycle these sticks? Can we mail back the dead sticks to you for disposal or renewal? The last time I looked, most of the materials used in light sticks were environmentally acceptable. Is your question based on legitimate concerns or a general "all chemistry is bad" attitude? It would be my opinion that the environmental damage from the transportation system to return a spent light stick would be more damaging than proper disposal using socially acceptable (and properly maintained) landfills.

Where I live in Canada, the only place I have seen light sticks is at a large chain store in Canada called Canadian Tire. They stated on the packaging that the contents are toxic and medical attention should be seeked if ingestion occours. Also, they stated that a serious rash could develop if contact to the skin was made by the chemicals inside the stick. (Forgive me if I don’t use the exact wording, I forget exactly what it says). If you spill bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner, or any of thousands of other materials in your home do you call poison control? Hopefully you keep these, as well as light sticks and other possibly hazardous items, out of the reach of children and pets.

Over 90% of our cleansers we use are all natural. A belly ache is the worst that we could get from most of it. If it can cause problems, it’s locked in a cabinet. I once found my 2 year old eating some soap that we had made from 3 types of oil and some ground cinnamin. Seems he thought they were cinnamin buns….:) Burning nearly anything can create environmentally unacceptable gases, soot, etc.–have you checked with the maker of your candles to make sure the sulfur content (as well as any other possible trace elements) is acceptable?

I agree that burning anything is enviromentally unacceptable, but is a lot less impact than disposing of flashlight batteries or other chemical substances. For the amount of light I need when it is dark, the candle suffices. As far as sulfer content, couldn’t tell you, but it is probably less than the matches I used to use. Now I carry a Zippo lighter because it is a little more windproof. Reusable too. While my response is at least an ember if not a flame, keep in mind that the only light source that is absolutely, completely, environmentally sound comes up each morning at sunrise and disappears at sunset.

Still have found out how to use that resource without chemical storage. too bad, because it is a great source of light… Anything beyond that requires that we do a bit of chemistry, physics, and engineering with the resultant (normally acceptable) damage to the ecosystem. By simply responding to your (most likely legitimate) concern, I am adding a bit of pollution to this world. I have to make the presonal choice as to whether or not it is worth it. To use light sticks as a routine soure of illumination would be personally unacceptable to me. To use them as a convenient emergency light in my camping gear, or as a demonstration of interesting chemistry to a group of school children is perfectly acceptable. I will not give them out at Halloween–but I will not chastise the children who are enjoying them.

John, my comments were legitamite. I sold my car years ago to do my part. Travel only by bicycle or foot. We try to use organic products when possible and buy in bulk using our own containers. Agreed, science has brought us some many wonders, the internet included, but there has to be a small part that we all play in the ecosystem. I try, as do others, to put a limit on my lifes effects on the environment. Little as they may be, they are a start. I too think that these would be great in an emergency, but I have my candle lanterns for that. I also have a rechargable flashlight in case a candle could not be used due to safety. The demonstration to children would be a grand way of showing chemical interactions (almost as good as the vinegar and baking soda volcanoes:). But as a regular use item (which candles are for us), I would have to no. On another note, Brian, (the original poster) emailed me to say that his company would happily take back any spent sticks that customers want to return. Cudos for them. It has already been pointed out that they are safe (not like the ones in Canada from some other company) and non-toxic. It is nice to see a company repsond positively to concerns of a potential customer without trying to change the subject. — Kevin Haryett Sudbury Area Mountain Biking Association http://icewall.vianet.on.ca/pages/samba

Response:

Curtis Anderson confused me with: "The CYALUME lightstick contains dilute hydrogen peroxide in a phthalic ester solvent contained in a thin glass ampule, which is surrounded by a solution containing a phenyl oxalate ester and the fluorescent dye 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene…When the ampule is broken, the H2O2 and oxalate ester react.." ?????? I’m not sure of the names of the elements, but when they developed light sticks, didn’t they just use the same chemicals used by lightning bugs? Or did my mom just make that up? Greg L.

I have done this, the chemicals ( which were available frome someone like edmund sci.) were lucferin, and luciferase, and while fun, had a relatively low light output, and were a bluer blue green. I am not supprised that the chemicals are different, and are derive the required power through a different, simpler, higher energy reaction ( oxidation by H2O2 in the above) The light output per unit volume is outstanding in light sticks, as is the color range, and the duration of the light output. In the home hobby version above, a half an hour was a long reaction. While camping, I have had light sticks still be visible the NEXT night. Chandra

Response:

the names of the elements, but when they developed light sticks, didn’t they just use the same chemicals used by lightning bugs? Or did my mom just make that up?" The lucirein and luciferase from fireflies are too costly to be used in light sticks. Your mom probably heard the wrong info from somebody. Marvin Margoshes

Response:

I got curious about light sticks and found the following while surfing around: Curtis —— Chemical Demonstrations [1] ( v.1 p.146), by Bassam Shakhashiri, offers a thorough discussion of CYALUME lightsticks. Professor Shakhashiri is at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, I believe. "The CYALUME lightstick contains dilute hydrogen peroxide in a phthalic ester solvent contained in a thin glass ampule, which is surrounded by a solution containing a phenyl oxalate ester and the fluorescent dye 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene…When the ampule is broken, the H2O2 and oxalate ester react.."

The only ester I know of was on Sanford & son. Here is my retention from college chemistry: Put the milk in the glass then pour in the Hershey Syrup or it will stick to the bottom of the glass. Thanks, but does anybody here speak English?

Response:

Soory to quote it all but I felt others should see it all before comment is made. The question still has not been answered. I am not anit-chemical. Most of us work for an oil company, OK!?

FYI, that response you got wasn’t from the original guy from Kailume. It was someone else… As for toxicity? I dunno… James

Response:

While no major harm was done, I do know of a case where minor skin irritation occured when one of the chemical light necklaces broke and the contents got on the child’s skin. Immediate washing with soap and water took care of the problem.

Response:

If you spill bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner, or any of thousands of other materials in your home do you call poison control? Hopefully you keep these, as well as light sticks and other possibly hazardous items, out of the reach of children and pets. Actually, I’ve always had this question, also. These light sticks are usually sold to kids at carnivals, fireworks, etc. I’ve often wondered if what was inside was safe to the children if they were borken open and would still be interested in a qualified answer.

The worst thing about them is that the stuff stains clothes if it leaks. Otherwise they are fairly innocuous (though I wouldn’t recommend drinking the stuff — except to a few of my "favorite" posters (and for them I’d recommend eating the little glass capsule as well)). BTW, the things produce some pretty colorful flames when burned. Dan Hicks http://www.millcomm.com/~danhicks/

Response:

Actually, I’ve always had this question, also. These light sticks are usually sold to kids at carnivals, fireworks, etc. I’ve often wondered if what was inside was safe to the children if they were borken open and would still be interested in a qualified answer. — YIS, Jeff Nagel

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I while back I read a posting from a STUDENT concerning a report on Lightsticks. I am the President of Internet Marketing for Line Lights Inc., producers of the highest quality lightsticks in the world. If you want more information on Kailume Lightsticks please go to URL: http://www.aseere-systems.com/lightsticks SOON TO BE: http://www.lightsticks.com Do you have procedures in place to recycle these sticks? Can we mail back the dead sticks to you for disposal or renewal? The last time I looked, most of the materials used in light sticks were environmentally acceptable. Is your question based on legitimate concerns or a general "all chemistry is bad" attitude? It would be my opinion that the environmental damage from the transportation system to return a spent light stick would be more damaging than proper disposal using socially acceptable (and properly maintained) landfills. If my dog or kids break one of these open, do I have to call poison control? If you spill bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner, or any of thousands of other materials in your home do you call poison control? Hopefully you keep these, as well as light sticks and other possibly hazardous items, out of the reach of children and pets. I have to ask because these are the reasons that I use a candle lantern. There is enough stuff out there that will cause problems in the environment that I feel that candle lanterns are a better choice. Burning nearly anything can create environmentally unacceptable gases, soot, etc.–have you checked with the maker of your candles to make sure the sulfur content (as well as any other possible trace elements) is acceptable? This is not a flame. If your light sticks can be renewed/recycled and are made of non-toxic recyclable substances, I’ll check them out. If not, I’ll pass. I’m sure others will as well. — Kevin Haryett While my response is at least an ember if not a flame, keep in mind that the only light source that is absolutely, completely, environmentally sound comes up each morning at sunrise and disappears at sunset. Anything beyond that requires that we do a bit of chemistry, physics, and engineering with the resultant (normally acceptable) damage to the ecosystem. By simply responding to your (most likely legitimate) concern, I am adding a bit of pollution to this world. I have to make the presonal choice as to whether or not it is worth it. To use light sticks as a routine soure of illumination would be personally unacceptable to me. To use them as a convenient emergency light in my camping gear, or as a demonstration of interesting chemistry to a group of school children is perfectly acceptable. I will not give them out at Halloween–but I will not chastise the children who are enjoying them.

Soory to quote it all but I felt others should see it all before comment is made. The question still has not been answered. I am not anit-chemical. Most of us work for an oil company, OK!? Are they safe to swallow? Are the things non-toxic? If you know why wont you say? If you don’t know why get so defensive? I keep bleach, away from my kids, but I still worry. You say most items in the light stick are environmentally safe. This would mean to any thinking body that the other ingredients are not environmentally safe. As far as the suposition that sennding them back would be more environmentally unsafe, I disagree. If the BSA camps had a big empty box to collect them in it would definitely pay to ship back large quantities at the end of the season. This is based on the fact that they ARE non-toxic. If they are not non-toxic how much damage would they have to do before it was worth it to recycle.

Response:

| The last time I looked, most of the materials used in light | sticks were environmentally acceptable. Is your question | based on legitimate concerns or a general "all chemistry is | bad" attitude? It would be my opinion that the environmental | damage from the transportation system to return a spent | light stick would be more damaging than proper disposal | using socially acceptable (and properly maintained) landfills. | Very good, simple example of the tradeoffs of recycling, but of course you can add to the tradeoff the cost of the transportation to the landfill. | Burning nearly anything can create environmentally unacceptable gases, | soot, etc.–have you checked with the maker of your candles to make | sure the sulfur content (as well as any other possible trace elements) | is acceptable? | | This is not a flame. If your light sticks can be renewed/recycled and | are made of non-toxic recyclable substances, I’ll check them out. If | not, I’ll pass. I’m sure others will as well. | | — | Kevin Haryett | | While my response is at least an ember if not a flame, keep in mind that | the only light source that is absolutely, completely, environmentally | sound comes up each morning at sunrise and disappears at sunset. ^^^^^^ really? You never wear sunscreen, worry about skin cancer, … I think that even being 93,000,000 miles from a large fusion reactor with the minimal shielding of the earth’s atmosphere and the magnetic field is still iffy. Look at how much ionizing radiation you get from the sun! This is still a tradeoff, not an absolute good. | Anything beyond that requires that we do a bit of chemistry, physics, and | engineering with the resultant (normally acceptable) damage to the | ecosystem. By simply responding to your (most likely legitimate) | concern, I am adding a bit of pollution to this world. I have to | make the presonal choice as to whether or not it is worth it. To use | light sticks as a routine soure of illumination would be personally | unacceptable to me. To use them as a convenient emergency light in | my camping gear, or as a demonstration of interesting chemistry to a | group of school children is perfectly acceptable. I will not give them | out at Halloween–but I will not chastise the children who are enjoying | them. | | — | | John C. Huffman | —

Response:

I while back I read a posting from a STUDENT concerning a report on Lightsticks. I am the President of Internet Marketing for Line Lights Inc., producers of the highest quality lightsticks in the world. If you want more information on Kailume Lightsticks please go to URL: http://www.aseere-systems.com/lightsticks SOON TO BE: http://www.lightsticks.com Do you have procedures in place to recycle these sticks? Can we mail back the dead sticks to you for disposal or renewal?

The last time I looked, most of the materials used in light sticks were environmentally acceptable. Is your question based on legitimate concerns or a general "all chemistry is bad" attitude? It would be my opinion that the environmental damage from the transportation system to return a spent light stick would be more damaging than proper disposal using socially acceptable (and properly maintained) landfills. If my dog or kids break one of these open, do I have to call poison control?

If you spill bleach, laundry detergent, drain cleaner, or any of thousands of other materials in your home do you call poison control? Hopefully you keep these, as well as light sticks and other possibly hazardous items, out of the reach of children and pets. I have to ask because these are the reasons that I use a candle lantern. There is enough stuff out there that will cause problems in the environment that I feel that candle lanterns are a better choice.

Burning nearly anything can create environmentally unacceptable gases, soot, etc.–have you checked with the maker of your candles to make sure the sulfur content (as well as any other possible trace elements) is acceptable? This is not a flame. If your light sticks can be renewed/recycled and are made of non-toxic recyclable substances, I’ll check them out. If not, I’ll pass. I’m sure others will as well. — Kevin Haryett

While my response is at least an ember if not a flame, keep in mind that the only light source that is absolutely, completely, environmentally sound comes up each morning at sunrise and disappears at sunset. Anything beyond that requires that we do a bit of chemistry, physics, and engineering with the resultant (normally acceptable) damage to the ecosystem. By simply responding to your (most likely legitimate) concern, I am adding a bit of pollution to this world. I have to make the presonal choice as to whether or not it is worth it. To use light sticks as a routine soure of illumination would be personally unacceptable to me. To use them as a convenient emergency light in my camping gear, or as a demonstration of interesting chemistry to a group of school children is perfectly acceptable. I will not give them out at Halloween–but I will not chastise the children who are enjoying them. — | John C. Huffman |

Response:

Do you have procedures in place to recycle these sticks? Can we mail back the dead sticks to you for disposal or renewal? If my dog or kids break one of these open, do I have to call poison control? I have to ask because these are the reasons that I use a candle lantern. There is enough stuff out there that will cause problems in the environment that I feel that candle lanterns are a better choice. This is not a flame. If your light sticks can be renewed/recycled and are made of non-toxic recyclable substances, I’ll check them out. If not, I’ll pass. I’m sure others will as well. — Kevin Haryett Sudbury Area Mountain Biking Association http://icewall.vianet.on.ca/pages/samba

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