On Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:45:34 +0000 (UTC),
wrote:

I got a new desk lamp from Staples and it has a warning about mercury. THe
fluorescent bulb that came with it has the same warning. Am I right in
assuming th emercury refered to the SBCFL? THe switch rotates on the same
axis as the buld screws in, so given the gooseneck, I have no reason to
believe the switch works with mercury (ie, gravity). Am I right?

Mercury switches and thermostats were banned in California starting in
Jan 2008. Most other states have enacted similar bans. There's also
a ban making it illegal to dispose of anything containing mercury in a
landfill.
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste/Mercury/index.cfm

More likely, the warning is for the fuorescent tube, which contains
about 4mg of mercury. This might explain a few details:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf


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Jeff Liebermann
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Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
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