Rare Earth Minerals- Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspector
Rare Earth Minerals- Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspector
As a Wenatchee home inspector I try to keep up on many elements that effect my clients.
In a recent discussion presented by Scott Kruse of Riverview Electric he brought to light the cost and supply issues surrounding rare earth minerals and their impact on fluorescent lighting and other electronics.
There will be an increase in the cost of much of the lighting that is used in commercial settings and at home where many have converted to CFL‘s (compact fluorescent lights).
Rare Earth minerals are 17 elements of the periodic table that are used in everything from hybrid cars and wind turbines to Flat screen TV’s and Lighting.
Fluorescent lamps use Halo and Tri-Phosphors (which use Rare Earth oxides in their phosphor mix)
The elements Cerium, Europium, Terbium, Yttrium are a few of the main Rare Earth oxides contained in fluorescent lamps.
These Tri-phosphors are used in the T8’s, T5’s, Deluxe T12’s and all CFL pin and self-ballasted bulbs.
(FYI- Long tube fluorescent light bulbs are sized in eights, so a T12 is a 1-1/2 inch round bulb and a T8 is a 1inch round bulb.)
So here is the issue, since 2002 China has gained control of about 95% of the world’s rare earth oxide production. Over recent years China has reduced its export quotas while demand for these materials has grown.
China has ~40% reduction in production from 2009 to 2010 and a >35% reduction 1st half 2011 vs. 1sthalf 2010. (Latest releases keep 2011 quota same as 2010 overall due to pressure from World Trade Organization (WTO))
Some of the production reduction is from imposed new taxes and tariffs from Chinese government, enforcement of new mining rules and regulations and export quotas from the Chinese government.
All of this has caused Tri-Phosphors elements to increase in cost since January of 2010; Cerium Oxide is up 3530%, Europium Oxide 630 %, Terbium Oxide 700% and Yttrium Oxide 295%.
If use these bulbs in your home or office it may be wise to stock up on some of these bulbs because the prices will continue to go till production output can be corrected.
In Chelan and Douglas county areas if you have question regarding your lighting or any electrical needs please contact Scott Kruse at (509) 667-1001 or email him at scott@riverviewelectric.com
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NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
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