an interesting link regarding the mercury issue:
fluorescent lights
Quote:
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Even though mercury in fluorescent lamps is a problem, the solution is not to stop using energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. The largest man-made source of mercury in the atmosphere is fossil fuel combustion (58% of total). When the mercury in a fossil fuel is heated in a combustor, it turns into a vapor and escapes into the atmosphere. When moisture vapor in the atmosphere turns to rain, mercury returns to the earth and is deposited in streams, lakes, and other waterways. On average, fossil-fueled power plants emit 0.04 milligrams of mercury per kilowatt-hour sold. So the energy-savings reduces more mercury in the environment than is added by the potential disposal problem of the bulb. When fluorescent bulbs are properly recycled, there is a major reduction in environmental mercury from the energy savings, with little or no added mercury from the bulb.
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Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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