Rep. Michele Bachmann on those twisty light bulbs

The Shuttle: Rep. Michele Bachmann - Daniel Libit - Politico.com

Politico: What’s your deal with incandescent light bulbs? [Bachmann recently introduced the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act.]

Bachmann: Freedom is the No. 1 reason why I introduced the bill, in order to have choice on light bulbs. But, No. 2, there are some very real health concerns that need to be taken into account. There are people who don’t want to have mercury-laden light bulbs in their homes. These new light bulbs contain between three to six milligrams of mercury, and if one is dropped on the carpet or floor of your home, there is a massive procedure involved to clean it up. . . .

In the public schools, for instance, a public facility, you would have to have everyone exit the building, be out of the building for 15 minutes, open the windows. I remember my high school in Anoka, Minn. The windows didn’t open. So what are you supposed to do? You’re supposed to turn off the central air conditioning or heating? So in Minnesota, when it’s January, and it’s 30 below zero, and you drop a mercury-laden light bulb in a public school, you’re supposed to make the kids go outside for 15 minutes and shut the heating system down?