Base up operation
Glenn,
I haven't seen any evidence of any of the screw base LED lamps failing due to installed orientation. The reflector style LED lamps I have seem like they really need vertical installation to make the external heatsinking convect properly. I have never seen any manufacturers recommendation to avoid base up usage.
Some of the early lamps clearly stated they were not for enclosed fixtures, That has eased a bit today with the lower wattage lamps but the high power lamps still state open fixtures only. Switch brand lamps can run in any fixture but they are liquid filled for cooling and pricy. Of course there is the likely hood of running a lamp in an enclosed fixture could shorten its lifespan due to temperature accelerated aging.
I do have a couple can fixtures in a bathroom and I have had some 9 watt BR30 LED lamps in those for about 5 years. I've never had a problem with those, they just work and they look great. Check back in 10 years or so
The most hazardous thing during disposal of a CFL is the tiny amount of mercury in the lamp. I would bet that most of of the solder used in any recently made CFL is lead free. Ideally these lamps should go through proper processing for disposal , stores like Home Depot accept them free for recycling. Hopefully the processors deal with the e-waste also to recover the other metals in the lamps also.
Glenn,
I haven't seen any evidence of any of the screw base LED lamps failing due to installed orientation. The reflector style LED lamps I have seem like they really need vertical installation to make the external heatsinking convect properly. I have never seen any manufacturers recommendation to avoid base up usage.
Some of the early lamps clearly stated they were not for enclosed fixtures, That has eased a bit today with the lower wattage lamps but the high power lamps still state open fixtures only. Switch brand lamps can run in any fixture but they are liquid filled for cooling and pricy. Of course there is the likely hood of running a lamp in an enclosed fixture could shorten its lifespan due to temperature accelerated aging.
I do have a couple can fixtures in a bathroom and I have had some 9 watt BR30 LED lamps in those for about 5 years. I've never had a problem with those, they just work and they look great. Check back in 10 years or so

The most hazardous thing during disposal of a CFL is the tiny amount of mercury in the lamp. I would bet that most of of the solder used in any recently made CFL is lead free. Ideally these lamps should go through proper processing for disposal , stores like Home Depot accept them free for recycling. Hopefully the processors deal with the e-waste also to recover the other metals in the lamps also.