Isn’t technology something? What would Thomas Edison, no wait … what would Nikkola Tesla think of the current movement away from incandescent light bulbs in favour of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
Fear of ever increasing greenhouse gases seems to be driving government regulators to ban these wattage guzzling bulbs. Environmental concerns should be a motivating factor, but we must not be too hasty.
So you ask, “What is our alternative?” or should I say “our legislated default?” CFLs are soon to be the new norm. As they are less energy consumptive, they are less damaging to the environment. Or are they?
Of course, they cost more, but the energy savings should even that out over the long run. Never mind that CFLs cast an inferior quality of light (blue spectrum), we’ll probably get used to it. The fact that CFL light bulbs contain 4 mg of mercury, a toxic element, should not stop any civilized Canadian from replacing all the bulbs in the home (average 30 bulbs). The UK was probably overreacting when they banned CFLs in 2009.
Some people are concerned about the hazards posed by common use of CFLs. I was not alone in being alarmed by the degree of procedure required in disposing of a broken CFL. Since every CFL contains about 4 mg of mercury, which is partially released as mercury vapour, one of the most toxic forms of mercury, these bulbs must be treated as hazardous waste. Even before sweeping up the pieces, all windows and doors must be opened to the area and the area must be vacated for a minimum of 15 minutes. Then, the debris is to be contained in a sealed vessel and disposed of via a designated recycling depot. For Parksville and Qualicum Beach residents, True Value Hardware has stepped up to the plate as being the official drop-off location.
Sadly, I fear some people may not read the fine print on the inside of the box outlining the instructions for proper disposal of these bulbs. I predict that many CFLs will find themselves in the garbage and then in landfills near local water supplies.
As if that wasn’t enough to be concerned about. Did you know the radiation emitted from the CFL bulbs is also a health hazard? This feature should be particularly of interest to diabetic patients. According to Geeta Nadkarni, a reporter for CBC News, CFLs emit electromagnetic radiation that poses health risks. Dr. Magda Havas calls the EMF from CFLs “dirty electricity.” She conducted a study that showed blood glucose levels in people would elevate in the presence of such dirty electricity. She also mentions a study in a Wisconsin school that found less asthma in the student population once the power quality improved.
I would expect if glucose management can be affected by our EMF radiation environment, this would be a concern for diabetics and pre-diabetics. Have all the health effects of CFLs been studied sufficiently to introduce them on a global scale? Whatever positive benefit there may be on greenhouse gases; is it worth the health hazards and the long-term water and soil contamination?
We must act today to protect tomorrow.
Dr. Tara Macart and her husband Jonathan own Opti-Balance Naturopathic Medicine in Qualicum Beach
