the Ig Chick returnith lol

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Posted by jld on September 14, 2002 at 10:24:38:

In Reply to: OK...Help me out here..... posted by Mr. D on September 13, 2002 at 11:58:05:

First things first .... I know that I have been gone for quite some time due to personal reasons I choose not to share here on the forum, those of you who know me know the reasons why. I've missed you guys, well most of you anyway (just kidding I've missed you all) lol Just to let you know, once I have posted this, starting Monday I will be away for quite some time again and again I choose not to share why here on the forum.

Okay, now on to why I am posting..........

Eyespy, this is NOT a slam on you for the sake of being cruel, even if it seems that way. EVERYONE ELSE, I would like to think that we are all adult enough to not make this ugly. Please let's try to be kind until all the facts are in.

Now, as of today we are running 23 working mercury vapor bulbs for the reptiles in our home, in the past we have run as many as 25+ at one time (after the large rescue in February). LET ME STATE CLEARLY THAT WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS THAT EYESPY HAS SPOKE OF AND WE HAVE BEEN USING THE BULBS FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS SINCE WILD INSIDE WAS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT HAD THEM. Because we run so many bulbs, many of them in areas of the house constantly occupied by us humans, the bird and the dog and out of concern for all of us here, when I read Eyespy's claims I began to do a little digging. We called Zoo Med, the Pennsylvania DEP, EPA and CDC. No one at any of the places I called (long distance by the way since the 800 # provided on the website Eyepsy posted does not work outside of the state of Pennsylvania) has a report of mercury vapor bulbs leaking, mercury sickness in any creature and no one that I spoke to has any knowledge of Zoo Med paying any type of claim. In fact, none of the people that I spoke to at the CDC, DEP or EPA were even aware that mercury vapor lights are being marketed for use with companion animals. Furthermore, no agency has any type of gag order issued because they don't even have an issue on their books.

A little more information I got from the DEP and EPA is that mercury DOES NOT harden at room temperature. Therefor, the little nub at the base of the bulb cannot be mercury. It is a solder joint, almost all of the bulbs I have ever seen have them. Also, I was told by them, as well a friend and found the same information in my own research that you would be surprised by the number of common household items that contain mercury, in most cases without us even knowing. IF there really is proof of mercury sickness in an animal, I would also like 100% proof as to how the animal contracted it, not a guess.

As for the quality of the bulbs, I am the first to admitt that we have had our share of problems with bulbs that stop working in less than one year. I also know that both companies that sell the bulbs have a warranty AND have replced bulbs under that warranty for many people that I know as well as for us. That being said, that does not make the bulbs a danger.

Now, I would like to give Eyespy the opportunity to provide more qualifying information (proof) about her claims, I think it is only fair. Patti I implore you to provide some actual proof of your claims so that we can put this whole ugly matter to rest once and for all. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your proof here on the forum, then please feel free to send it in email and I will take the brunt of whatever legal issue you may think there is. I think this topic is extremely important since so many of us use mercury vapor bulbs and IF there is some type of problem associated with their use, I for one would like to see proof.

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