Low energy light bulbs may put mercury into the fish we eat

Millions of low energy light bulbs are being given away to British home occupiers. It, along with insulation, is the Government’s virtually only policy to reduce carbon emissions in households. Low energy light bulbs consume less electricity and so reduce the carbon emissions in the atmosphere. The reason why they require less energy is that they contain mercury, the molecules of which bounce around inside the low energy light bulb, enhancing the light. But we risk, while reducing our carbon footprints significantly increasing our toxic mercury footprints.