I recently read an article which stated that the incandescent light bulb, you know, the one Thomas Edison invented in 1880, is being phased out starting next year.
By 2014, only a few specialty incandescents will be available like three-way bulbs and lights for plants and appliances.
No more simple incandescent bulbs that cast that warm, cozy glow over the pages of your book as you curl up reading each evening in your favorite chair!
The incandescent bulb is being slowly but surely rooted out by the cold, impersonal light of the compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).    There is another option, called the LED bulbs, but as of this writing are virtually unknown in American stores.
So, at least for now, this leaves us with the CFLs.
My main beef with the CFLs is not the Antarctic light they cast.  While I don’t like CFL light nearly as much as the warm glow of incandescents, I could probably get used to it after a while.   I’ve also noticed some of the newer CFL bulbs cast a much warmer glow than a few years ago.
My issue is with the small amount of mercury present in each CFL bulb not to mention the amount of dirty electricity your family is exposed to when you use fluorescent bulbs around your home.
Supporters of CFLs say that the small amount of mercury in the bulbs is less than the mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and CFLs use a lot less electricity than incandescents thereby significantly reducing those emissions.
My take is that mercury is a neurotoxin and is not safe in any amount, certainly not in your home.   What if that adventurous toddler knocks over a lamp and breaks one on your living room carpet?
The result is not just a pile of broken glass like what would happen with an incandescent bulb. The result is exposure to a potent neurotoxin.
I don’t personally derive any level of comfort from claims that the small amount of mercury from a broken CFL would not contaminate a home or require an environmental crew to clean up the mess.  The FDA makes similar claims about dental amalgams too, but the fact is that people are experiencing toxic effects from them just the same.
CFLs Not Recycled by Most People
Another worrisome problem is that most people throw CFLs in the trash rather than recycle them despite laws against this in many areas of the country.    Not only does this potentially expose sanitation workers to high levels of mercury from multiple broken bulbs but it has the likelihood of turning our landfills into toxic waste dumps.  What’s more, CFLs that break near homes can contaminate the soil.
Adding to the problem is the lack of participation by big retailers such as Wal-Mart in assisting with the recycling effort.
Even General Electric, which has manufactured CFLs for about 20 years, says the small amount of mercury in each CFL bulb could add up to big contamination problems once incandescents are no longer available and sales of the toxic bulbs rapidly increase.
Incandescents still represent about 80% of the market for bulbs in America with CFL bulbs accounting for only 17% of sales.
It seems to me that the switch from incandescent bulbs to CFLs represents a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.   I, for one, will not be embracing the CFL trend.   I’ve got quite a stash of incandescents that should last me a good long while and when those run-out, hopefully, this new LED bulb technology will offer a decent non-toxic solution for my home.
Source
National Public Radio, CFL Bulbs Have One Hitch:Â Toxic Mercury
I’m hoarding incandescents right now. Every time I go the store I get like 3 boxes. 🙂
What tests? Do you have a study?
Thanks to everyone who commented. I was unaware. Thanks Lee.
We have all LED’s and they are wonderful. We use 100watts when our whole house is lit, they have great light and they were about $3 each at Costco. The cost savings is worth it, why use technology that creates heat and wastes energy? Over the life of our LED’s they will be far cheaper and will create less waste than all the incandescent or fluorescents.
LED bulb testing shows they are similar to CFL bulbs – LED bulbs produce stronger magnetic fields than old-fashioned incandescent. For folks sensitive or concerned about dirty electricity and the health effects of them. incandescent bulbs are still the best choice. It’s my understanding that some LEDs test safe, but they are pricey.
Yes and the more humble minded homeowner and their reading lamp doesn’t even add up to a drop in a bucket or ocean for that matter, as far as the drive for the electricity demand that is causing the power plants to pollute so much. You’re speaking as though switching to CFLs would eliminate mercury emissions. It would be such a small reduction and numbers! Numerical info on that projection would be the most relevant data. Plus, soon now I believe there’s legislation coming for companies and industry to be able to buy carbon credit and any electricity credits. So that would mean I save a tiny bit of usage with great discomfort and by exposing myself to toxic mercury gas right in my own four walls so that some huge industrial e- consumer can just suck up my small savings. It’s very rare that the possible environmental benefits citizens could reap from being conscionable energy users will ever be seen with the way things are set up these days. So especially if they’re very small and objectionable it shouldn’t be mandated by law. I focus on heat usage, AC usage, hot water, water and washing in general with my savings and see real results.
There were dimmable 60watt replacement LEDs for $15 at Costco when I was there last, which, for a bulb that is supposed to last forever, is something I can stomach now and again. I bought three, and maybe if I buy 3 more next year we’ll be good to go for a while.
Yeah- I guess many are stockpiling because when I go to buy 60 watt or lower incandescent they never have them! Lol! I do feel 100watts are awfully bright and usually unnecessary. I love lower wattage like 40 watt plus it saves energy. I definitely don’t feel any should be outlawed socialist enviro-nazi style though.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!! Time to stockpile <3
Stephanie- each and every person cannot be an activist in every single area. That doesn’t mean they’re any less mindful and helpful to an ailing planet than you. As I said earlier too, many people who are this health conscious are also way less huge consumers than most and most I’ve met are WAY frugal about their impact on the earth. I come from a place where there are many people who are “the environmentally self righteous” and honestly, I cannot STAND that attitude. People who always think that you’re not doing enough or as much as them. Who try to call you out if you aren’t taking action on their particular pet environmental activist issue.