Posted on 05/29/2011 10:31:28 AM PDT by I got the rope
By WILLIE SOON AND PAUL DRIESSEN The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued 946 pages of new rules requiring that U.S. power plants sharply reduce their (already low) emissions of mercury and other air pollutants. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson claims that while the regulations will cost electricity producers $10.9 billion annually, they will save 17,000 lives and generate up to $140 billion in health benefits. There is no factual basis for these assertions. To build its case against mercury, the EPA systematically ignored evidence and clinical studies that contradict its regulatory agenda, which is to punish hydrocarbon use. Mercury has always existed naturally in Earth's environment. A 2009 study found mercury deposits in Antarctic ice across 650,000 years. Mercury is found in air, water, rocks, soil and trees, which absorb it from the environment. This is why our bodies evolved with proteins and antioxidants that help protect us from this and other potential contaminants. Another defense comes from selenium, which is found in fish and animals. Its strong attraction to mercury molecules protects fish and people against buildups of methylmercury, mercury's biologically active and more toxic form. Even so, the 200,000,000 tons of mercury naturally present in seawater have never posed a danger to any living being.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I was merely pointing out that there is a difference between a handful of metallic mercury and its compounds, especially organic. A number on FR seem to think if the one is OK, then mercury is not dangerous at all.
“Minamata disease” (methylmercury poisoning) killed a couple thousand in Japan and left a bunch messed up.
Neither over-hyping nor under-hyping the danger of mercury is a good idea.
The Feds trying to make a big fuss about Mercury is not about the element, it is about Glenn Beck’s company, LOL.
Got an eye on you.
Obviously, the precursor to liberalism.
I love CFLs. I once got some for free. The next best price I paid was 17 cents a bulb for about 2 dozen bulbs. I watch for sales and I’ve never paid more than 45 cents a bulb.
I’ve replaced some, but they lasted years and years of continual use. I like the low electric bill, coupled to the low prices paid initially my savings are enormous. The ones I got for free gave me an infinite return. ;-]
I also can help you with the police brutality thing. FReepmail me your home address.
Can I make my tuna salad sandwiches again?
Like I told ya, it wasn’t the mercury that did us in, it was the mayo. Just use Miracle Whip and we will be fine, just fine.
Riding bicycles without helmets on GRAVEL in shorts, riding in the back of pickup trucks, no seatbelt on long cross-country trips, real sugar in our soft drinks, pbj lunches, REAL firecrackers and fireworks, etc etc.
Not to mention some of our experiments, like the “Fearless Fosdick Front-Wheel Foot Brake”. That one you only used ONCE! < BG >
It’s a miracle we’re alive at all, I’ll tell ya!
Forgive me if it is obvious, but I don’t get the quarter, could you explain to a sometimes dense me?
>> “If mercury is so dangerous, why is the government requiring that we bring it into our homes in these stupid cfl bulbs?” <<
.
Or allowing dentists to stuff our teeth with it?
Hypocrisy, Government is thy name.
A serious answer is that...it depends. Unfortunately, I don't know upon what it depends.
I hope that helped. ;-)
If they want to do something a little more useful, they should ban those chinese light bulbs that have mercury in them.
I betcha we’ll be reading about all the mercury pollution from landfills in the not too distant future.
Sure - My pal coated the quarter with liquid mercury. That made it very silvery and shiny. And slippery to the touch.
“Neither over-hyping nor under-hyping the danger of mercury is a good idea.”
Agreed. Mercury is only really dangerous in its organic (tied to carbon) forms. Too much hype for or against something is not a good thing.
Obastard don't need no stinking FACTS! Just so long as it makes US power more expensive and makes US companies spend more money so they are less competitive, he is fine with it.
And it removes lead fouling pretty well... much better than some of these witch potions that might corrode your bore if you leave ‘em in too long.
Honestly, I doubt many in the EPA or other environmentalists realize fluorescent lights or even Metal Halide lamps used in gyms, stadiums, warehouses and stores even have mercury in them.
Only another 946 pages of government regulations. What about all the poor trees that had to die to print this things?
A drop of mercury in the recess of a hollow point bullet makes it behave dramatically when shot into live targets NOT meant for food-! Just seal it over with a little parrifin.
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