Did you even know that there has been an impending ban on the incandescent light bulb? With the arguments over the country’s budget in December, the government has put the battle on hold until at least October 2012. The ban proposes to move away from the ten-watt traditional light bulb and towards more efficient forms of lighting.
The main focus of the political argument is solely economic issues like employment and the manufacturers, not the environment or anyone’s health. If the government gets what they want, we’ll all be moving away from lighting as we know it and into something else right in our own living rooms.
Many people concerned with the future of our planet and the longevity of our lives are hoping that the ban is not only delayed but also canceled altogether. There are health issues that could arise from eliminating the incandescent light bulb. People with any degree of light sensitivity are likely to suffer negative effects, which might include migraines, headaches, eyestrain, stomachaches, anxiety and irritability.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) may last a really long time, but they don’t do much for anyone’s health. Many experts agree. Just see a multitude of studies by Natural Resources Canada and the UK Migraine Action Association as examples.
Sure, CFLs can definitely help reduce the cost of your electricity bill each month – if you replace every light fixture with that type of light bulb, but is it worth it? Many people moving into their own homes or just wanting to watch their spending often switch to CFLs without even considering any possible health effects the light bulbs might actually have.
If you think you might be affected negatively by CFLs, there are alternatives to them, but the alternatives may be more expensive.
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