According to CBC…

Certain countries may be trading energy conservation for more toxic air emissions with their use of compact fluorescent lighting, say U.S. researchers. In a study of 130 countries and 50 states, Yale University scientists concluded that in some places mercury emissions have been increased by switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents…The researchers found countries that derive much of their energy from coal, such as Estonia and China, can significantly reduce mercury emissions by using CFLs. Other countries in a similar situation include Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. But places like California and Norway on the other hand, which get most of their power from non-coal sources, may end up putting more mercury into the atmosphere by using CFLs.

Um, yeah, so now what do we do?