[VoIP] Way, way, off-topic - compact fluorescent light bulbs

[Rusty Dekema]

On Nov 13, 2007 7:44 PM, ikjtel <ikj1234i at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> FWIW
>
> Source : http://www.newstarget.com/021916.html
>
> "Breaking a compact fluorescent light bulb could cost
> you $2,000 in toxic mercury cleanup"

[...]

There's a political aspect to some (certainly not all) anti-CFL
sentiment that I won't touch (here) with a 20 foot stick, but I will
point out that the United States' Government (EPA) recommends the
following procedure for cleaning up after a broken compact fluorescent
light bulb:

If a CFL breaks in your home, open nearby windows to disperse any
vapor that may escape, carefully sweep up the fragments (do not use
your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to remove
all glass fragments. Do not use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a
sealed plastic bag and follow disposal instructions above.

(http://epa.gov/region09/toxic/mercury/lighting.html)

By the same token, I _could_ call an environmental engineering firm
and spend thousands of dollars to study and remediate the drops of oil
that fell on my garage floor the last time I checked the oil in my
car, but I doubt even the EPA thinks that's really necessary either...
:)

Rusty