Re: CFL bulbs not a bright idea

[ Follow-Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Canadian Coalition for Democracies Public Message Forum ]

Posted by Al Gordon on 06:55:55 2008/05/07

In Reply to: The road to serfdom is lit by CFL bulbs posted by National Post

Your browser does not support inline frames, or it has been configured incorrectly. If page does not display on your browser, please <a href="http://canadiancoalition.com/NationalPost20080506_CFL_Bulbs/ATG_Letter_CFL.html">CLICK HERE</a>. CFL bulbs not a bright idea html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(<a style="font-weight:normal" href="http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?12:26981">http://static.ak.facebook.com/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?12:26981</a>) no-repeat top left; } #commentform-narrow { display: none; } #recent-comments { width: auto; padding-top: 0.25em; margin: 0 0 1em 0; } #recent-comments #comment_head { font: bold 14px georgia, serif; } #recent-comments .comment_box { width: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } #comment_top { Xborder-top: #ccc 1px solid; } #commentform-narrow { float: none; width: auto; } @import url('<a style="font-weight:normal" href="http://www.nationalpost.com/_assets/css/common/video_widget.css'">http://www.nationalpost.com/_assets/css/common/video_widget.css'</a>); National Post Canada.com Network Browse the Canada.com Network Home News Sports Entertainment Health Travel Obituaries Celebrating Contractors National Post Victoria Times Colonist The Province (Vancouver) Vancouver Sun Edmonton Journal Calgary Herald Regina Leader-Post Saskatoon StarPhoenix Windsor Star Ottawa Citizen The Gazette (Montreal) DOSE Vancouver Island Newspapers VANNET Newspapers Global TV Global National Global BC Global Calgary Global Edmonton Global Lethbridge Global Saskatoon Global Regina Global Winnipeg Global Ontario Global Quebec Global Maritimes E! CHEK NEWS CHCA NEWS CHCH NEWS CJNT Montreal TVTropolis X-treme Sports Specialty Channels Shop | Find a Career | Find a Car | Find a Home National Post Home News Opinion Arts Life Sports Multimedia Your Post NP Network Blogs Financial Post Columnists Full Comment FP Analysis Diane Francis Hot Topics Israel at 60 U.S. Election Driving Columnists Tax Centre Biz Startups Search Home / Opinion CFL bulbs not a bright idea National Post Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 Related Topics Energy Technology Health and Fitness Health Environmental Coalition Alastair Gordon Ian Hunter Story Tools - + Change font size Print this story E-Mail this story Share This Story Facebook Digg Del.icio.us More Story tools presented by '); }catch(e){} Re: The Road To Serfdom Is Lit By CFL Bulbs , Ian Hunter, May 6. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) have become a badge of urban environmental righteousness, but in the real world, where the laws of physics hold greater sway than the chanting of Suzukian scripture, their benefits are far from clear. An incandescent bulb is often controlled by a dimmer switch, so it may spend most of its life providing a warm light at one-quarter of its full brightness and energy consumption. Most CFLs, on the other hand, will not work with a dimmer, and so they provide their stark, drugmart light at full brightness all the time. In this situation, the CFL bulb will consume more energy than an incandescent. And then there is the issue of mercury, described by the Children's Health Environmental Coalition as "a potent neurotoxin that can cause permanent damage to the brain and central nervous system, especially among young children. In pregnant women, mercury can pass through the placenta and can harm the fetus." All CFL bulbs contain mercury; incandescent bulbs contain none. If a CFL bulb breaks on your kitchen floor, a crawling toddler is exposed to a much greater lifetime risk than a few glass shards. As well, the persistence of mercury assures bio-accumulation of this dangerous neurotoxin, and its re-emergence in the food chain and water supply. Consumers may be tricked by environmental spin, but the laws of nature will not. Not only is the case for energy savings far from settled, but the introduction of a new source of mercury contamination offsets any purported benefit. And of course, who wants drugmart lighting at home? Alastair T. Gordon, Toronto. Close Presented by '); }catch(e){} Reader Discussion More From National Post Toronto Hydro teams up with builders seeking energy-efficiency upgrades National Post - Friday, April 25, 2008 TSX rolls out the green carpet for 'clean-tech' listings National Post - Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Apocalypse now? National Post - Saturday, March 29, 2008 Burning in the dark National Post - Saturday, March 15, 2008 Warmed-over nukes National Post - Saturday, March 8, 2008 More From the Web CFL bulbs not a bright idea National Post - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Good (Very Early) Morning... WhatToExpect.com - Monday, April 28, 2008 Medipattern completes Austrian installation AuntMinnie.com - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Medipattern lands Italian customer AuntMinnie.com - Monday, Dec. 17, 2007 Powered by Inform Most Popular National Post Financial Post E-Mailed NP Subscribe to RSS Canadian soldier killed in ambush in Afghanistan Israel at 60: World's worst neighbourhood Tigers sought $3M from Canada Massive wave kills over 22,000, leaves 41,000 missing Dead ducks are no ‘tragedy’ NP Network Blogs National Post Financial Post News for your mobile device | Subscribe to RSS The Appetizer Survival Kit: Chef Michael Smith Wed, May 7, 2008 · 3:44 AM ET by Brad Frenette More Filed under: Survival Kit | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Sheldon Alberts: Clinton wins Indiana, barely Wed, May 7, 2008 · 1:22 AM ET by sheldon alberts More Filed under: U.S. Politics , Sheldon Alberts | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Sheldon Alberts: Not the game changer Clinton needed in Indiana and North Carolina Tue, May 6, 2008 · 11:40 PM ET by sheldon alberts More Filed under: U.S. Politics , Sheldon Alberts | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Sports Jays notebook: After circling bases, Eckstein surrenders to pain Tue, May 6, 2008 · 11:37 PM ET by John Lott More Filed under: GTA , Baseball , MLB | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Toronto Developers decry 'alarming' fees for new condos, houses Tue, May 6, 2008 · 10:05 PM ET by Barry Hertz More Filed under: Politics , Real estate | Read More | Comments (0) Full Comment FullComment exclusive: Israel's ambassador to Canada replies to the CIC's "attempts to delegitimize the very existence of the State of Israel" Tue, May 6, 2008 · 10:04 PM ET by Jonathan Kay More Filed under: Jonathan Kay , Israel , Mohamed Elmasry , Alan Baker , Jews , Palestinians | Read More | Comments (1) Posted Toronto Forest Hill mansion sells for $2M over asking price Tue, May 6, 2008 · 9:27 PM ET by Barry Hertz More Filed under: Real estate , Post Homes | Read More | Comments (0) Full Comment Marni Soupcoff: Live blogs of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries Tue, May 6, 2008 · 8:22 PM ET by Marni Soupcoff More Filed under: Marni Soupcoff | Read More | Comments (0) Full Comment The National Post Editorial Board on Israel and 'ethnic cleansing' Tue, May 6, 2008 · 8:02 PM ET by Paul Russell More Filed under: Editorial | Read More | Comments (8) Full Comment Podcast: Does breastfeeding make kids smarter? Tue, May 6, 2008 · 8:02 PM ET by Marni Soupcoff More Filed under: Podcast | Read More | Comments (2) Posted Toronto ‘Hole in the Ceiling Gang’ arrested in bank burglary spree Tue, May 6, 2008 · 6:24 PM ET by Rob Roberts More Filed under: Crime Scene | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Sports View: Kobe the NBA's MVP? Maybe, but he's been better Tue, May 6, 2008 · 6:00 PM ET by Bruce Arthur More Filed under: Basketball , NBA | Read More | Comments (0) Posted Toronto Remarkable video shows casual chat between shooter, victim Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:55 PM ET by Rob Roberts More Filed under: Crime | Read More | Comments (0) Shinan Shinan: When East meets King Street West Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:44 PM ET by NP Editor More Filed under: Shinan Govani , Belinda Stronach , Nadia Di Donato , Pamela Anderson | Read More | Comments (1) Posted Sports MLB: Angels' other Santana pitching like the famous one Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:30 PM ET by Andrew Lupton More Filed under: Baseball , MLB | Read More | Comments (0) Posted CAIRS: The scandalous treatment of an agency no one ever heard of Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:30 PM ET by Kelly McParland More Filed under: Blogs , Ottawa , Canada , Politics | Read More | Comments (0) The Ampersand P.M. A&E: Measha breaks records, SuperU begins comedy contest, Colbert wins a Webby Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:18 PM ET by NP Editor More Filed under: P.M. A&E | Read More | Comments (0) Full Comment Jeet Heer on Israel's creation: Ethnic cleansing by any other name Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:01 PM ET by Marni Soupcoff More Filed under: Jeet Heer , Israel | Read More | Comments (8) Shinan Scandal Sheet: The fur flies over Lindsay Lohan's coat Tue, May 6, 2008 · 5:00 PM ET by Jen@Dose More Filed under: Lindsay Lohan , Amy Winehouse , John Cusack , John Mayer , The Office , Tom Cruise , Chris Brown | Read More | Comments (5) The Ampersand Daily Disc: Danish National Symphony, Nielsen: Symphonies 1 & 6 Tue, May 6, 2008 · 4:55 PM ET by NP Editor More Filed under: Music , Daily Disc | Read More | Comments (0) Video .vw_prev { margin-right: 2px; } .vw_next { margin-left: 0; } .vw_mask p { margin: 0; } Previous Next Baby toss Reuters video: For centuries, some Indian parents have been dropping their babies from the top of a temple for good luck Vigil for incest victims Reuters video: An Austrian town tries to come to grips with the alleged abuse of a family by their own father Obama outrage Reuters Video: Barack Obama denounces Rev. Wright over assertions about race and U.S. government Smog in Beijing Reuters Video: How will the city's choking blanket of smog affect the Olympic athletes? Pastor Wright's speal Reuters Video: Barack Obama's long-time pastor takes questions at the National Press Club Gordon Ramsay Video: Superstar chef Gordon Ramsay talks about his new book GTA IV unleashed Video: Financial Post was at the lineup to buy the game in Toronto Karzai survives attack Reuters Video: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has survived an attempt on his life Plane crash Air show accident in Germany kills one person Heart stem cells In a petri dish, human heart cells pulsate rhythmically, much like the organ they would form part of in someone's body Daily FP Headline news on video FP Headline News delivered each day at noon by Alia McMullen Ultimate fighting explained The Post's Melissa Leong explains Ultimate fighting, or mixed martial arts Snooker tricks A few tricks by Cliff Thorburn shot by the Post's Tyler Anderson Freedom 55? Columnists William Hanley, left, and Jonathan Chevreau celebrate career and life milestones Marred by Taxes — Used Cars Would you buy a car from Gary Marr? Working undercover TTC employee secretly videotapes smoking co-workers Soul Whisperers Peter Redman looks at how Toronto's Sick Kids hospital uses clowns to comfort its young patients Faces in the field NP Video: An eccentric sculptor has turned his surroundings into the biggest tourist attraction in northern Ontario's Burks Falls Video: On love and sex Nationalpost.com exclusive: We asked 7 people about love and sex Rethinking the Reserve Membertou First Nation near Sydney, Nova Scotia, has created employment opportunities for about 90% of its band members More National Post News RSS Soft immigration system at root of problem Obama wins North Carolina; Clinton inches to a win in Indiana He's got 99 problems, but the youth vote ain't one Financial Post RSS Rogers to introduce cell-home phone hybrid Oil 'super-spike' may hit US$200: Goldman Canadian home sales to fall 12% this year: CREA Sports RSS Garnett seals Celtics' Game 1 victory Heatley the hero in Canada-USA thriller Jays hit but still lose to Rays Arts RSS Seeking answers across the divide From Kanye West to John Mayer: the web's best musician-bloggers Bob Thompson: TV's worst kept secret Promotion FP Stock Widget Stay up to date and take your stock portfolio anywhere Infiniti Golf Guide Get comprehensive listings, powered by Google Earth Ads by Google Energy Saving Light Bulbs Free Shipping over $100 on energy saving light bulbs; 10,000 hrs life AlzoDigital.com Light Bulb Recycling Recycle Universal Waste by mail Order & track shipments on-line wmlamptracker.com Energy Efficient Lighting Compact fluorescent light bulbs from China export processing group www.silkventures.com Services: Privacy | Terms | Contact us | Advertise with us | FAQ | Copyright and permissions | Today's paper | Digital paper | Newsletter | YourPost | RSS | Subscription services | Site map National Post: Home | News | Opinion | Arts | Life | Sports | Multimedia | NP Network Blogs Financial Post: Home | Analysis | Trading Desk | Markets | Money | Small Business | Working | Reports | FP Magazine National Post and Financial Post are Part of the Canada.com Network Browse the Canada.com Network Home News Sports Entertainment Health Travel Obituaries Celebrating Contractors National Post Victoria Times Colonist The Province (Vancouver) Vancouver Sun Edmonton Journal Calgary Herald Regina Leader-Post Saskatoon StarPhoenix Windsor Star Ottawa Citizen The Gazette (Montreal) DOSE Vancouver Island Newspapers VANNET Newspapers Global TV Global National Global BC Global Calgary Global Edmonton Global Lethbridge Global Saskatoon Global Regina Global Winnipeg Global Ontario Global Quebec Global Maritimes E! CHEK NEWS CHCA NEWS CHCH NEWS CJNT Montreal TVTropolis X-treme Sports Specialty Channels © 2008 Canwest Interactive, a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.

Click here to visit inline page

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please take 2 minutes to
join CCD or make a donation.
Thank you for your generosity.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Canadian Coalition for Democracies Public Message Forum ]

Name:
E-Mail: (Optional)
Subject:
Comments:
Link URL: (Optional)
Link Title:
Image URL: (Optional)