* * * * *
                                        
                         Junk science vs. junk science
                                        
> Finally, CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb) critics like to remind you
> that CFL bulbs contain mercury, a highly toxic pollutant. This is true. The
> typical CFL bulb contains approx. 5mg of mercury. (Manufacturers are
> working to reduce this. Phillips is said to have developed a bulb that only
> has 1.5mg of mercury.)
> 
> If a CFL bulb is broken, special care must be taken to properly clean up
> and dispose of the remnants to prevent health risks. Further, CFLs must be
> recycled or properly disposed of to prevent the mercury from escaping into
> the environment. Here are the federal government guidelines for CFL
> disposal and cleanup.
> 
> What the critics forget to mention, however, is that coal-fired power
> plants are a major source of mercury pollution. Further, most of this
> mercury is emitted into the air, and is thus not contained or containable.
> Mercury in a CFL is already contained unless it is broken, and if properly
> recycled is fully containable.
> 

Via Instapundit [1], “Everything you wanted to know about Compact Fluorescent
Bulbs, including the mercury problem [2]”

Snopes weighs in as well [3] (link also via Instapundit [4]), so that pretty
much puts the whole “We're gonna die by Mercury poisoning [5]!” thing to
rest.

[1] http://instapundit.com/archives2/004865.php
[2] http://www.knoxviews.com/node/4493
[3] http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp
[4] http://instapundit.com/archives2/004844.php
[5] gopher://gopher.conman.org/0Phlog:2007/04/30.1

Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org

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