In message <[email protected]>, dated Fri, 24 Aug
2012, Ed Price <[email protected]> writes:
I have never understood just what you are supposed to do if you
accidently break one of these CFL's. What happens (to those with
exquisitely refined senses of environmental responsibility) now that
you have created a small toxic waste hazard? Will you have to report
this to a potential buyer of your home? Do you have to turn yourself in
to the EPA?
There is about 3 milligrams of mercury in a CFL, or less. A barely
visible little drop. There is a similar amount in a straight fluorescent
tube, and no-one panics about them. In the rest of your house, there is
probably up to ten times as much, especially if you have coal from some
mines.
A sense of proportion is necessary. Zinc, cadmium and mercury form a
chemical family. Zinc you can buy at the health-food store. Cadmium
kills you if you look at it, while mercury runs after you to kill you.
--
OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk
Instead of saying that the government is doing too little, too late or too
much, too early, say they've got is exactly right, thus throwing them into
total confusion.
John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK
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