Mercury in the Lights! Really?

So, I try to be "green." I mean, I don't use napkins for paper towels as often as I used to, and I conserve electricity, I buy used, I don't use plastic water bottles, etc.
I also use the new, long lasting light bulbs (halogen, I think?)

However, after reading this comment on a post at Times and Seasons, I'm looking more carefully at exactly what impact my family and I are having on the environment.

Here's the quote:

For examples, CFL’s seem like such a great energy solution, until you find out that CFL’s contain mercury-a neurotoxin that causes brain damage and kidney failure. An MSNBC report from April of 2008 said:
” The amount (in one CFL bulb) is tiny — about 5 milligrams, or barely enough to cover the tip of a pen — but that is enough to contaminate up to 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe drinking levels, extrapolated from Stanford University research on mercury. Even the latest lamps promoted as “low-mercury” can contaminate more than 1,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels.”

Considering that most of the consumers who buy them have NO idea about the mercury, and simply toss them out with the garbage, these “green” bulbs could very well be doing more damage to the environment (and our health) than they are helping.

So, I went to my closet and looked at the package, and sure enough it says, "Contains mercury. Dispose according to local regulations."

HELLO?! What are we doing with mercury in our light bulbs?

Anyway, I just feel frustrated that I don't really know if I'm doing the right things or not.

I guess it's back to regular light bulbs for us. . .