Oh-oh. Yet another it's-too-good-to-be-true green dilemma crossed my desk today. (Read my previous post, Going green isn't black and white for background info.)
With the big push -- and looming legal deadline -- for everyone to start using those spiral "eco-friendly" CFL bulbs, one would think it's pretty safe to assume they're a no-brainer when it comes to the environment. They save a ton of energy and last way longer than standard incandescents. Right?
Not so fast, Kemo Sabe. Those CFLs contain mercury. The same mercury that was used for cavity fillings on people of a certain age, and then blamed for health problems later on. The same mercury that filled glass thermometers that heaven forbid you should bite down on by mistake. And did you ever break one of those things? The mercury separated into little balls and scattered all over the place, forcing you to hold your breath while you tried to pick them up without actually letting them touch your skin.
Aren't light bulbs a lot more delicate than thermometers? In an era when we're trying to phase out the toxic substances, what is it doing in light bulbs?
For the full story -- including instructions for the proper disposal of CFL bulbs, check out New Bulbs Have One Hitch.
