OT: I LOVE CNN - CF Light Bulbs

[Guest guest]

CNN “Your World Today” just did a story at 12:38pm on the new light bulbs.

President Bush just passed a new law that America has to use CFL- bulbs in about 6 years.

“The bill also calls for improved energy efficiency of appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers, and a 70 percent increase in the efficiency of light bulbs. It also calls for energy efficiency improvements in federal buildings and construction of commercial buildings.

The new lighting standards alone are projected to lower consumers' annual electricity bills by $13 billion in 2020, remove the need for 60 mid-size power plants and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, by 100 million tons a year, said the advocacy group Alliance to Save Energy.”

They do this whole segment on how it will be better for the environment. Then Mann says:

“A brilliant idea, but there is a hitch....they contain Mercury. So, when you throw them out you’re supposed to wrap them so the mercury, which is toxic, doesn’t escape. If you break one, the US Environmental PA suggest all of this... You open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes. Then you put on some rubber gloves. To clean up the mess, you double bag all of the trash you collected and then WASH YOUR HANDS. I’m not kidding. That’s progress”.

Reporter: Mann

I looked for his email on the CNN.com website- but found this form.

http://edition.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form4.html?110

This is what I wrote:

Thank you Mann and CNN for your story about CFL bulbs shown today around 12:38pm EST.

These bulbs sound like a good thing for the environment, but they contain mercury. I don't think it's a good idea to be filling up our landfills with a neuro-toxin that may find its way into our water supply.

Also, if someone breaks one of these CFL bulbs (which happens), it can do a lot of harm, especially to pregnant women.

Thank you for warning the world about this potential danger.

Please send CNN and Mann a comment. We REALLY need to “positively reinforce” members of the media who tell the truth about CFL bulbs.

Sincerely,

Heeren