Posted on 01/06/2009 7:39:23 AM PST by BGHater
Throughout war, disaster and recession, it has kept Britain illuminated for more than 120 years.
But the traditional incandescent lightbulb is finally being switched off for the last time.
Retailers have stopped replenishing stocks of conventional 100watt bulbs and will have run out within weeks.
The voluntary withdrawal – part of a Government campaign to force people into buying low-energy fluorescent bulbs – follows the scrapping of the 150w bulb last year.
The move has angered medical charities who say the low-energy alternatives can trigger a host of ailments, including migraines, epilepsy and skin rashes.
The lightbulb revolution was first signalled by Gordon Brown in 2007.
The Government says the switch to low-energy bulbs will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by around five million tonnes a year – the equivalent to the emissions from a typical 1gigawatt coal-fired power station.
Low-energy lightbulbs are miniature versions of the fluorescent striplights common in offices and kitchens.
They use just a quarter of the energy of a conventional bulb. A single bulb can save a household around £7 a year.
However, critics complain that compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, making them dangerous to dispose of, and give off a harsh light more suited to offices than living rooms.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The way the Brits tell it, Edison was a footnote...
Mercury batteries have been banned because they contained mercury. But now compact fluorescents are being mandated, and by the way they contain mercury. And my guess is that the average household will possess more mercury from the lights than they would have from mercury batteries (used only in button-sized camera batteries and exotic test equipment).
There’s SOCIALISM for ya’, folks. Coming to a country near you!
Meanwhile.......the police can’t handle a New Year’s Eve because of underfunding and understaffing. Same goes for the NHS. Lightbulbs are more important. Sick.
This same ban on incandescent light bulbs is coming to the US, starting with the 100W bulb in 2012 and ending with the 40W bulb in 2014. Bush signed it into law on December 18, 2007.
Mercury poisoning was a hoax anyway, just ask the local mad hatter.
When they mandate this here, we’ll burn candles.
The ultimate NANNY/POLICE STATE marches on.
you have been the best socialist president to date. I guess there was no ink in the veto pen. Thank you W;
(NOT THAT I AM ADVOCATING THIS) I have wondered what would happen if a bunch of people “accidentally” dropped compact flourescents on the steps of the capitol.
Every time the local home improvement store puts 4 packs of REAL bulbs on sale for $1 (or less) I’ll head down there with my forklift. I might have to throw out some of my plastic sheeting, duct tape, MREs and light resistant spring water, but I will be mercury-free and well lit during the Obam-a-pocalypse.
Wait until the government starts providing these to the “underprivileged” who can’t affort to pay retail prices. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
I used them in most rooms in my house, but when possible, I use them in enclosed fixtures despite the directions not to. My experience has been good with them so far and I am not sure they are any more dangerous than the ole tube florescent bulbes. Environmentally, maybe we will luck out and this technology will soon be replaced by LED technology.
Every house I have been in that uses these is like being in a cave. I consider the illumination to be very poor. They buzz and have to warm up to come on. You can’t use a dimmer with them. A very poor choice.
My guess is the whole group would be arrested, charged with terrorism, and locked up for a long time.
The main danger of CFLs vs. tube bulbs is the tube bulb is usually in a ceiling fixture rather than a moveable (and tippable) lamp which is far more subject to being broken. I think I've broken one tube accidentally, and that was when I was changing it and dropped it off the ladder.
Yeah, I guess making a lightbulb that lasted almost 100 times longer was just a small improvement. LOL.
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