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Article: ENERGY GEEKS: WEIGHING MERCURY CONTENT, BENEFITS OF COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS.(News)
- Article from:
- Taos News (Taos, NM)
- Article date:
- September 13, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The Santa Fe New Mexican. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Dear Energy Geeks,
I wish to convert all of my incandescent light bulbs to the new energy efficient compact fluorescent type. I realize they use less energy, but don't they use mercury to make fluorescent bulbs? Should I be concerned?
Ms. Heavymetal
Dear Ms. Heavymetal,
You are correct when you point out the fact mercury is used to make fluorescent bulbs. The question becomes what are the lesser of evils. Generating electricity in the United States in fact emits a great deal of mercury into our atmosphere due to coal generation. All fossil fuel generation emits a great deal of pollutants not regulated or measured, but mercury is ...