Mercury Rising

When I was a kid, I used to play with the shiny little balls of mercury in our bathroom drawer. A thermometer must have broken in there, and all that was left were these goofy little balls that moved when you squished them with your finger. Then the little liquid balls would regroup into a larger ball, and you could squish it again and again and again.

Neurotoxins are fun, mommy!

The thought of playing with mercury as a young child reminds me of something you'd see on a Saturday Night Live skit (remember the kid's toy named "Bag o' Glass"?). So why then are smart, conscientious people filling their homes with mercury?

Mercury comes in the Trojan horse of compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. Sure, they're great if you swear to never, EVER throw one away. Instead, old CFLs must be recycled at a facility that handles hazardous wastes. (Quick -- where is your nearest haz-mat facility? I don't know either.)

Also, if one breaks, the clean-up procedures are ridiculous: Ventilate the room, wear heavy rubber gloves, a face mask, etc.

Though I love the concept of a highly efficient CFL, the reality of mercury contamination is a deal-breaker. Instead, look into these safe, energy-saving alternatives.