Lightbulbs of the future

Compact fluorescent lights mercury risk is really low. [Link]

The second you read someone saying that metallic mercury is an incredibly potent neurotoxin, you know you’re looking at bullshit. ORGANIC mercury compounds are indeed ultra-poisonous, but metallic mercury quite simply is not. It ain’t good for you; there ain’t no Vitamin C in there. But breathing a bit of metallic mercury vapour really is not a big deal. And the amount of metallic mercury in a domestic [fluorescent lightbulb] is tiny - only a few milligrams.

But it all may be a moo point with LEDs becoming more efficient and longer lasting. [Link]

We all know we should be replacing our energy-sucking incandescent light bulbs with CFLs -- but, ugh. As part of its green design program, frog design has conceptualized this lovely light bulb around a high-output LED. The frogLight bulb fits in a standard socket and can be dimmed -- an important ability for both energy-saving and mood-setting that CFLs can't yet manage. And it's projected to last for 30 years.