Hey guys,

I saw this story on the local news last night.

I found it a little alarming in that I've recently bought more of these to use in our light fixtures. I knew that street lamps had mercury in them, but had no idea that these bulbs did. It still doesn't deter me from buying them, but I will use caution not to break them and find a proper place to dispose of them (where I don't know).

See link below:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa071114_mo_bulbhazards.2efe046.html

I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info.

Falcon

Thanks for the info FOM.

Mercury in and of itself isn't a bad thing.  I wouldn't advise eating it or gargling with it, but other than that it is a harmless substance.

Mercury in and of itself isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't advise eating it or gargling with it, but other than that it is a harmless substance.

yeah youd have to digest a good bit for it to be harmful

All fluorescent bulbs have mercury in them, and you've had fluorescent bulbs over your head all of your life.  Why get worried now?  Just dispose of them properly and you should have no concerns.

All fluorescent bulbs have mercury in them, and you've had fluorescent bulbs over your head all of your life.  Why get worried now?  Just dispose of them properly and you should have no concerns.

Thank you for that illuminating reply LM  

Thanks for the info, pretty much have them for all my bulbs. After looking at the package I now see this. Might help to read things when I buy them. haven't had one burn out yet though, have to recycle them when they do.

www.lamprecycle.org

I wouldn't worry about it too much.  Mercury isn't AS hazardous or volatile as most people make it out to be.  

Thousands of these bulbs get dumped into landfills each year locally, and I test the waterways within a 1 mile radius of the dump.  Mercury has never showed up in the 3 years I have been doing this.  

You are more likely to get lead poisoning from handling fishing weights than you are to come to harm from a light bulb containing mercury.  

Avid, I lit up when I saw your response.  You will have to agree, however, that there is one more person on the planet who knows more than he did yesterday.

Avid, I lit up when I saw your response.  You will have to agree, however, that there is one more person on the planet who knows more than he did yesterday.

why drag muddy into this?

Avid, I lit up when I saw your response. You will have to agree, however, that there is one more person on the planet who knows more than he did yesterday.

why drag muddy into this?

Because, based upon PM's he seems to have some sort of fixation on bulbs.  Wouldn't you agree?