Mercury: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Part 1
Mercury: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Part 1 I'm green. My green is pale, but it's slowly growing darker. The more green I become, the more I dislike careless use and management of harmful chemicals in our water, food, medicine, and now...our light bulbs. Dislike is too wimpy. I am growing angry with careless regard for hazardous chemicals. My lightbulbs contain mercury. Your lightbulbs contain mercury if they are fluorescent, including the new Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL). They require 75% less energy than regular incandescent light bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer. My electric utility company gave everyone in Hermiston a free box of ten CFL's. They're great . But they contain mercury. I've told you the good : CFL bulbs cost less in the long run and they consume less energy. Here's the bad: Mercury, the elemental mercury in the CFL bulbs, can cause: Tremors Mood swings Irritability nervousness Excessive shy...