The truth is that the amount of mercury in a fluorescent bulb is a small amount, 5mgs is the average, but the range is from 2.2 to 15 mgs. The old tube type bulbs had as much as 20 mgs. Imagine an amount about half the size of a matchhead, and that is the amount they used to use.  One of the reasons for the variation in amounts was, the more mercury the bulb had in it, the longer it would last. This is why the new bulbs do not last as long as the old ones. To put this in perspective, the amount of mercury in the new compact fluorescent [commonly known as CFL] bulbs is about [in some cases less than] 1% of the amount found in the old fashioned thermometers. Additionally, there are new regulations in place to limit the amount of mercury used, and the amount used per bulb is less than it used to be generally; but,  ALL fluorescent bulbs should be disposed of according to Federal and local law, as over 620 million bulbs are discarded annually in the U.S.A. and this adds up to a lot of mercury. While homeowners are sometimes exempted from such laws, the very best thing to do is to recycle. To learn about this, check out the web, and remember that whatever it costs to recycle, your fluorescent bulb pays for itself in energy savings so quickly [especially compared to incandescent bulbs], that your return on investment is still better than you can get on T-Bills and other savings or investments, sometimes over 100% R.O.I. per year is possible. The fact that these bulbs contain mercury should not deter you folks from switching over to these energy efficient bulbs, as that kind of  low risk return on investment is the best one you can make in this day and time. You also have the personal satisfaction that you are also doing your part to save the earth. If all of you folks used fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent it would be as if one million automobiles were taken off the road. The amount of energy saved, and the resulting reduction of the carbon footprint of mankind vastly outweighs the mercury problem; and that problem is mitagated if we all recycle. There has always been mercury in and on the earth, we just have to be more careful about how we use it.

The most important thing to remember is to handle your bulb by the plastic base only. If you handle it by the glass part to install it, you take a chance on breaking it. This can cause the mercury inside to enter your home, not to mention cause a nasty cut. Additionally, a hairline crack that you do not notice will allow air inside eventually, once all of the gas inside leaks out, and it usually only takes 2 parts per million of oxygen to cause a bulb to fail, i.e. die.

Also be advised that most H.I.D. [high intensity discharge] bulbs, such as; Metal Halide [MH], High Pressure Sodium [HPS], and of course, the old fashioned Mercury Vapor bulbs, ALL CONTAIN SOME MERCURY. You should also be aware that [for example] Metal Halide bulbs are pressurized and it is possible for them to explode like a hand grenade under certain conditions.

Therefore, it is a very good idea to educate yourself by reading all warnings on packaging, and do search engine research on these bulbs and their safe use, handling and disposal.

If mercury is the most important issue to you, go with L.E.D. [Light Emmiting Diode] lighting, as it contains no mercury, to the best of my knowledge. LED is terribly expensive, and the quality varies from batch to batch, but the cost is coming down. The longer they make these bulbs, the better they will get at making them, and the lower the cost of production will become.

Another alternative is the new induction lighting which does not contain liquid mercury although it contains a miniscule amount of vaporized mercury that becomes plasma when the lamp is turned on. In my opinion, induction lighting emits a better quality light than LED in the 5000K variety. That opinion is worth exactly what I am charging you for it.

The old folks used to admonish us not to believe everything you can read, and only half of what you see; and I say, if you want to see better, get the new induction lighting, or the Full Spectrum fluorescent lighting.

Our eBay store is a good place to start reading, and comparing light sources. We will be adding helpful information as time allows, under the heading "Misc. Information" at our eBay store Home Page.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of you eBay folks who have purchased from us and helped us by volunteering information and asking questions. As the site is constantly evolving, so are we. The changes that frequently occur make it tough to keep up, and to adapt our old-fashioned way of doing business to this new medium. It has been a difficult lesson for us to learn. We appreciate your kind patience when we encounter difficulties, and thank you all for having given us a chance to be of service.