Compact fluorescent light bulbs have a longer life span and use much less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, which clearly makes them a more sustainable alternative or does it? Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which is a great health hazard if the light bulbs are accidentally broken or disposed of inappropriately. Compact fluorescent light bulbs have also been linked to health effects, such as fatigue, migraines and eye strain caused by radiation which they emit. With this in mind compact fluorescent light bulbs don’t seem to be a very sustainable solution to our lighting requirements. In 2012 traditional incandescent light bulbs will be banned for sale in Canada in an attempt to become more environmentally sustainable. So what are the options, mercury containing and radiation causing compact fluorescent light bulbs? Candles? There is a more sustainable option for our lighting requirements which hasn’t received very much attention, light emitting diode (LED) lights. LED lights have a longer life span then compact fluorescent light bulbs and use less energy. They also do not contain mercury or emit high levels of radiation. So before running out and purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs in an attempt to be environmentally sustainable, spend a little extra cash and get a LED light bulb which will last longer, use less energy and won’t cause any negative health effects.
The following link is a video from a news report which discusses the effects of the radiation emitted from compact fluorescent light bulbs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upmLJM2VTlM
References
http://ezinearticles.com/?LED-Light-Bulbs-vs-Compact-Fluorescent-Light-Bulbs&id=1140577
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/04/25/lunn-bulbs.html
No comments:
Post a Comment