EPA’s Mercurial Hypocrisy

GreenHellBlog ^ | January 3, 2011 | Steve Milloy

[libertarian27]

How cynical is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the potential mercury hazard of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)?

Last week the EPA issued new guidance for the clean-up of mercury-containing CFLs.

Atypically minimizing any potential health risks and arrogantly assuming that people patronize the agency’s web site, the EPA’s media release states,

((CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a CFL breaks, some of the mercury is released as vapor and may pose potential health risks. The guidance and brochure will provide simple, user friendly directions to help prevent and reduce exposure to people from mercury pollution. [Emphasis added]))

But consider that EPA’s “Mercury and Hazardous Chemicals in Schools: A Manual for Students in Southeast Asia” (April 2008) states that:

((Just as there are no safe uses of mercury and mercury-containing equipment in schools, there are no safe uses for these products in homes, either. Tell your parents about the toxic effects of mercury, and encourage them to remove all mercury products from your home.))

Also consider that EPA says that eating the mercury from a broken thermometer is safer than inhaling mercury vapor (i.e., how you would be exposed to mercury from a broken CFL):

((It is not uncommon for children to break fever thermometers in their mouths. Mercury that is swallowed in such cases poses low risk comparison [sic] to the risk of breathing mercury vapor.))

[libertarian27]

[rellimpank]

—I like Mark Steyn’s idea of sending them to your senator or congressthing—especially if broken—

[JPG]

If I drop a light bulb, a broom and a dustpan should be sufficient to clean it up. I want a lightbulb not a hazmat protocol. These EPA/AGW nut-jobs need to be put out of their misery..just GO AWAY.

[MissMack99]

As soon as I saw this I went to Chelsea and stocked up
on a bunch of old fashioned still on the shelf.
For those not in MA, Chelsea is a Latin section of town.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Let's not get too hyper on this one, folks. EPA regulates industry and cannot tell any individual citizen how their waste is to be handled.

I throw my CFLs in the trash. I suggest you do the same; it isn't against the law.

[TauntedTiger]

I wonder how many broken CFL’s would it take before an LEO could justify the use of lethal force?

[MeganC]

They also minimize the harm from the mercury used as a preservative in vaccinations (aka “thimersol”).

[Disambiguator]

Someone else posted this link, so I’m re-posting it for your benefit.

Long-life incandescent bulbs for all!

https://www.nathosp.com/product/25k19_c/standard_incandescent_light_bulbs

[RJS1950]

Everytime one burns out I’m planning on sending it to my POS senator Ben Nelson with explicit instructions as to where to stuff it.

FUBO & FAD

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Great link, and the prices are very reasonable. Thanks so much!

[libertarian27]

Those have Kryptonite!! E-Gads! *lol*

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[dsrtsage]

I think protests in the downtown area of every city would be awesome. Get 100 people to break 10 light bulbs right on the streets of downtown.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Sorry to dredge this up, but I just thought about the CFL nonsense and this is the latest it seems.

I know the medical care bill repeal is the most important right now, but we SHOULD be working on repeal of this ridiculous freedom-killing law, saying we can’t buy something that is easily made and cleaned. Like the UhbamaCare, it’s not in force yet, so may be easier to beat back.

I’d also say we should be working to repeal all the other jackass laws over the year in the name of the EnvironMental Gods - like low-flow toilets, etc.

This stuff angers me to no end.

REPEAL, REPEAL, REPEAL!!!!