There's no mercury in LEDs. Both fluorescent striplight tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, without which they can't work and for which there is no acceptable substitute. As for fire risk, this comes with shoddily- and cheaply-made bulbs that some mostly-Chinese sources have tried to flood the market with. There's no risk with LEDs made by reputable manufacturers and marketed by reputable outlets. Caveat emptor. They may cost a bit more, but if you really will insist on buying the cheapest crap you can find on eBay...