energy saving lights

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I have read that the fluorescent energy saving bulbs have a ballpoint pen sized ball of mercury in them. the article went on to say that they are fairly safe you just have to call this clean up line if you break one. It got me remembering about 3 years ago the city was having this green drive and you could recycle your white appliances, microwaves, computers and such for free and they would give you a box of these bulbs for helping the environment. when the lady handed me the bulbs 2 were broken so she dug around in the bin trying to find some that were intact. Apparently they had had issues with most of the bulbs being broken so they were piecing together complete boxes. Now I am like holy cow not only did all the intact bulbs and boxes now have mercury on them but she had her hand in there digging around all day. Now I am worried about warehouse workers and truck drivers and such who I am sure come in contact with hundreds of these broken bulbs everyday. I cannot see how that is safe and I do not for a minute believe that they are made aware of the danger or are given classes on safe clean up. My husband has hauled these for retailers before and no one told him that the broken bulbs were dangerous. I wonder if we are putting people in danger just to save a few cents on energy. turning off the lights work just as well and no one is getting exposed to mercury. I fear now that all the packages on the shelves and unbroken bulbs are contaminated because they are all hanging out together in big pallets and boxes till put on shelf when broken ones are found and what about any food or clothes that are riding in the trucks with the bulbs if one or 15 break does it get on the other things?