"Green" or just Goofy?

Every day we hear something to do with the “green” movement.

A lot of what is said under that broad umbrella is sincere and helpful.

Some (such as replacing all our lightbulbs with low wattage - read "useless" - compact fluorescent light bulbs that contain small amounts of mercury, a neurotoxin, for heaven’s sake) is just ridiculous, downright harmful, and one of my pet peeves.

Here’s what John Skinner, executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America, the trade group for the people who handle trash and recycling, had to say about these light bulbs in a February 15, 2007 article in “All Things Considered” on the NPR website:

“… the companies and federal government haven't come up with effective ways to get Americans to recycle them.

"The problem with the bulbs is that they'll break before they get to the landfill. They'll break in containers, or they'll break in a dumpster or they'll break in the trucks. Workers may be exposed to very high levels of mercury when that happens."

Skinner says when bulbs break near homes, they can contaminate the soil.

“Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and it's especially dangerous for children and fetuses. Most exposure to mercury comes from eating fish contaminated with mercury, (sic)

Some states, cities and counties have outlawed putting CFL bulbs in the trash, but in most states the practice is legal.”

Some people insist that they pose no danger. If that is true, why the strict instructions on handling and disposal of said compact fluorescent light bulbs?

I don’t know about you, but I plan on sticking with regular light bulbs for as long as I can!

Next time we’ll look at more threats to our health from our environment.

Have a great and illuminating day!

Phyllis Towse