Did you know that with these new bulbs if you break one you are suppose to call hazmat and the trip out usually runs about 2k.
Gotta love them urban legends!!
The amount of Mercury in a CFL is about as much as the period at the end of this sentence. There is almost 200 times that much in an old Mercury thermometer!
If a CFL breaks in your home, open nearby windows to disperse any vapor that may escape (it is the vapor that is dangerous), 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 these disposal instructions.
If recycling is not an option in your area dispose of the plastic bag the same way you would batteries, oil-based
paint and motor oil at your local Household Hazardous WasteCollection Site. If your local Collection Site cannot accept CFLs (check Earth911.org to find out), seal the CFL in a plastic bag and place with your regular trash.
DON'T FALL FOR THE $2000 HAZMAT CLEANUP SCAM!!!!!
FYI, if you compare the number of traditional bulbs needed to equal the life expectancy and energy savings of one CFL, the manufacturing process to produce the traditional bulb and the energy created to power the traditional bulbs releases as much or more Mercury into the atmosphere.
I hate the light given off by CFLs though, and have hoarded a bunch of incandescents. I just can't wait till LED's come online for home lighting!