Talk of treaty ban on mercury concerns scientists
(AP) -- Scientists are warning officials negotiating a global treaty on mercury that banning the deadly chemical completely would be dangerous for public health because of the chemical's use in vaccines.
The ban option is one of several proposals on the table for a meeting later this month in Nairobi, but a final treaty isn't expected until 2013.
A large number of vaccines - including for diseases such as tetanus, measles and meningitis - contain mercury compounds, which prevent contamination.
David Wood, a World Health Organization vaccines expert, says not being able to use mercury "is not a viable option."
Most of the concerns about mercury center on emissions from burning coal, gold mining, and people eating fish tainted with the chemical.
More information: http://www.who.int
©2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1.1 / 5 (12)
The level of mental acumen displayed is awe inspiring.
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (10)
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (12)
http://www.youtub...T1yuau_4
Whereas the different forms of mercury are claimed to have different physiological effects, I can't simply believe, they're not metabolized into the same toxic neurodegenerative form inside of human body - soon or later.
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (12)
http://www.aether...memo.gif
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1.4 / 5 (11)
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1.5 / 5 (11)
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (3)
As for CFLs being "the single largest menace to be forced on our homes", consider that more mercury is released by the power plant that powers your incandescent than is released by the combined effects of the CFL and the power used to power it. However, it still remains true that if you had to eat a light bulb, you'd probably be safer eatting an incandescent... I'll cede that argument to you
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (8)
I would recommend them. Pharox do some nice bulbs.
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 2.5 / 5 (8)
Also, NotAsleep is correct with regards to light bulbs. An incandescent bulb has released more mercury into the atmosphere by the time you screw it in the lamp than a CFL regardless of how it's disposed.
On a side note, I encountered a package of broken CFLs at wall mart the other day. The lady that worked there I told about it had obviously read one too many tea party RE RE RE RE: emails and she thought I was going to die. I probably could have got some free light bulbs out of the deal, but I didn't want to be a hypocrite lol.
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
some LEDs might have mercury in them. LED tech is very diverse.
Oct 21, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (9)
We as the end customer must demand preserve free injections.
Oct 27, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (9)
CFL bulbs are bad but regular fluorescent are ok since we have been using them for decades without much problem.
Why is this the case since both operate about the same way?