Consumers in dark over risks of new light bulbs

[pk]

This article was actually started in the ANTIQUES section under mercury in antiques. I felt it was too important and not quite on the subject for antiques, so I am posting it here. If you care to read the past comments on this subject do so here: http://www.thebubbler.com/modules.ph...32d6690f43b5e6


CHECK OUT THIS STORY;

Consumers in dark over risks of new light bulbs
Push for energy-saving fluorescents ignores mercury disposal hazards.


WASHINGTON – Brandy Bridges heard the claims of government officials, environmentalists and retailers like Wal-Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving and money-saving compact fluorescent lamps.

So, last month, the Prospect, Maine, resident went out and bought two dozen CFLs and began installing them in her home. One broke. A month later, her daughter's bedroom remains sealed off with plastic like the site of a hazardous materials accident, while Bridges works on a way to pay off a $2,000 estimate by a company specializing in environmentally sound cleanups of the mercury inside the bulb.

With everyone from Al Gore to Wal-Mart to the Environmental Protection Agency promoting CFLs as the greatest thing since, well, the light bulb, consumers have been left in the dark about a problem they will all face eventually – how to get rid of the darn things when they burn out or, worse yet, break.

CFLs are all the rage. They are the spirally shaped, long-lasting bulbs everyone is being urged, cajoled and guilt-tripped into purchasing to replace Thomas Edison's incandescents, which are being compared to sports utility vehicles for their impracticality and energy inefficiency. However, there is no problem disposing of incandescents when their life is over. You can throw them in the trash can and they won't hurt the garbage collector. They won't leech deadly compounds into the air or water. They won't kill people working in the landfills.

The same cannot be said about the mercury-containing CFLs. They bear disposal warnings on the packaging. But with limited recycling prospects and the problems experienced by Brandy Bridges sure to be repeated millions of times, some think government, the green community and industry are putting the cart before the horse marketing the new technology so ferociously.

Consider her plight....


FULL STORY HERE: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=55213

[MrKhay]

I'm pro-choice … on light bulbs!

What is this country coming to?


While it is perfectly legal to kill unborn babies for any reason or no reason at all, soon it will be strictly against federal law to buy, sell or traffic in incandescent light bulbs.

This is a problem for me.

Tens of millions of pregnancy abortions have been performed since 1973 justified on the basis of having a choice.

Choice ends, however, when the life of another human being enters the picture. Just as I don't have the right to choose to kill another human being who inconveniences me, no mother has the right to kill her unborn child because he or she inconveniences her.

But enough about abortion. I don't want to talk about abortion today. I want to talk about light bulbs.
Because my right to choose is being taken away from me – and so is yours.


Did you know the congressional busybodies in Washington have actually passed a law that will ban the sale and possession of incandescent light bulbs a few years from now?


This issue is bigger than light bulbs. It's about freedom. It's about liberty. It's about choice. It's about the Constitution. It's about America and free enterprise and everything that makes this country unique and special in the world.

I don't want CFLs. And I sure don't want to be told by Washington that I have to use them – that I have no choice.

Here's how it works: There's no organization. There's no leadership. There are no dues. There's no mailing list. All you have to do to make a difference is buy this new magnetic bumper sticker and put it on your car(s) and truck(s). They're inexpensive and they won't mess up your auto. Magnetic bumper stickers can be taken off easily for washing – or when we win our victory!


Is that simple enough?

[pk]

I'm glad you brought this article back up. I meant to look for it and add an update to it.

Apparently the clean up the these new bulbs do not require a $2,000 clean up as everyone feared when they first were introduced and the mercury is not as high as once thought by the public.

I just read more about all of this not long ago and will go back and find the articles and post them.

I did not hear of a new law saying that we could not use the other bulbs soon. Will have to look into that also. Interesting. Thanks for bringing that to our attention MrK.

pk

[j10asen]

BRAVO MrKhay

I applaud you and your post.
Thanks for sharing Man!!!!


in this world of many voices
black,white and grey are amonst the choices
but the least among us have no say
silent and peacefull
for them I must pray

a simple idea
a simple plan
Edison invented it
we must now take a stand

if you feel you have the right
buy this magnetic sticker
join in the fight

please do one for me
as I am feeling drastic
you see my car is made of plastic

stoney rohde

[pk]

I found some interesting articles on this subject. ..


Congress bans incandescent bulbs
Massive energy bill phases out Edison's invention by 2014


Posted: December 19, 2007
7:18 pm Eastern

Incandescent light bulb
In addition to raising auto fuel efficiency standards 40 percent, an energy bill passed by Congress yesterday bans the incandescent light bulb by 2014.

FULL STORY HERE: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=45156

[pk]

Light-bulb ban craze
exceeds disposal plans

When a CFL breaks, the EPA cautions consumers to open a window and leave the room immediately for at least 15 minutes because of the mercury threat. The agency suggests removing all materials by scooping fragments and powder using cardboard or stiff paper. Sticky tape is suggested as a way to get smaller particles. The EPA says vacuum cleaners and bare hands should never be used in such cleanups.

After final cleanup with a damp paper towel, the agency warns consumers to place all materials in a plastic bag.

"Seal and dispose of properly," says the EPA. "Wash hands."

But disposing of properly might be a tough thing to do, because CFLs should never be thrown in the trash like their old-fashioned incandescent predecessors. They need to be turned into recycling centers, which are few and far between.

FULL STORY HERE: Light-bulb ban craze exceeds disposal plans

[pk]

Another section from the article that I found interesting...


Consumers are discovering other downsides of CFLs besides convenience and safety issues:


Most do not work with dimmer switches

They are available in only a few sizes

Some emit a bluish light

Some people say they get headaches while working or reading under them

They cannot be used in recessed lighting enclosures or enclosed globes

Fires are seen as a slight possibility

So I'm understanding that the government is now telling everyone that has dimmer switches, need different size light bulbs in certain lamps, dislike 'bluish light, get headaches, and have recessed lighting, they now simply will have no choice as to the type of bulb that they can use...

This is so crazy! Yes, I'm pro light bulb. I think in many cases if this new bulb doesn't work then it should not be against the law if you have to use a normal bulb!

pro-choice … on light bulbs!

[AlumniClub]

I have not had good luck with the new CFL light bulbs. They seem to crap out a lot faster than the old ones, or not work right out of the package. I have antique lamps that look completely ridiculous with the spiral bulbs. Not being able to use a dimmer really sucks.

What about oven bulbs, or the candelabra bulbs that have long powered our E-Z-Bake Ovens? Can the CFL bulbs go in those items?

Leave it to the government to think they're helping the environment by doing something completely stupid. My albuterol inhaler used to cost $10. They took the CFCs out of it and now it costs $30. The reformulated inhaler is NOT the same; it doesn't work as well and I need to take a lot more puffs to get relief. Were wheezy nerds with inhalers really that big of a contributor to holes in the ozone layer?

[MrKhay]

Originally Posted by Kris10

Were wheezy nerds with inhalers really that big of a contributor to holes in the ozone layer?

Let's kick their as*** !

[pk]

sorry...I just had to add this here....lol

Q: How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Two. One to assure the public that everything possible is being done while the other screws it into a water faucet.

That's how crazy it seems that a law is being passed that we can't use a certain light bulb...isn't there other more important things our government can think of to mess with than LIGHT BULBS??

I realize the importance of conserving our energy but let's get real here...I'm reading all the issues that will arise with using only this new bulb...shouldn't they fix all the problems before they decide we have to use this new kind?

geez...what another mess we will have to put up with....

[MrKhay]

Originally Posted by pk

.

That's how crazy it seems that a law is being passed

geez...what another mess we will have to put up with....

Already has been passed. It's part of the energy bill that our boy Bush recently passed into law.

[Tinkdedoodle]

Urban Legends Reference Pages: CFL Mercury

This story though has been passed around for awhile though.
lucky for those of us who have a house filled with them, the story is false!

[pk]

This story though has been passed around for awhile though.
lucky for those of us who have a house filled with them, the story is false!

Yes, I did read the story of the expensive clean ups of these bulbs is not true..but the rest of this page goes on to explain how to clean up the bulbs which is what I posted earlier.

The story itself is not true but the many things mentioned that people have questions and comments about are all valid thoughts.

Why can't we have a choice as to what bulbs to buy? Such as the correct bulb for an antique lamp for example.

What about those that gets headaches from the new form of light bulbs.

What about the fact that we need to dispose of the new bulbs correctly and not enough places are around yet to take care of the bulbs when everyone starts to use these bulbs.

If you use these bulbs all through your house, what do you use in your oven or refrigerator? I take it you must not have recessed lighting, or don't plan on having dimmer switches? Or do you have regular bulbs in your house for the places your 'new' bulbs won't work?

[Tinkdedoodle]

We have no recessed lighting and no dimmer switches. We have plain jane ceiling fixtures and several wall mounted lamps. I have no clue what's in the refrig or range hood. Will have to address that with my hubby. We've gotten the Daylight bulbs... and really like the light from them better than standard bulbs. It's not got the golden glow... it truly is much like sunlight, so makes the house look more true to actual colors.

I don't like the idea of putting anyone at risk of mercury poisoning, but I do think we need to tell it like it is rather than use scare tactics to try to sway people. Given the correct information people can decide for themselves what is right.

[pk]

Given the correct information people can decide for themselves what is right.

Giving the correct information is the only way to help people make a correct decision...the only bad thing is, the government seems to think we can't make choices about simple things like what the correct bulb to use in our lamps. They passed it to where in a few years we will not be able to get the right bulbs for what is needed in our homes. That is what I object to. Unless they plan on getting a better idea in the next few years on how to make this all work I think we will see some issues come out of all of this.