Fluorescent Fail

According to the CBC today, Health Canada says it is testing compact fluorescent bulbs to measure potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation and electromagnetic-field exposure levels.

It reportedly started the tests in December, and preliminary results are expected by late summer or early fall, Health Canada spokesman Philippe Laroche said Wednesday.

"Even though the bulk of scientific studies to date have not identified any health-related issues, Health Canada has decided to test the bulbs to acquire reliable technical data," said Laroche. "If the tests establish that there are reasons for concern, actions will be taken to force [emphasis mine] manufacturers to correct the situation."

At least they aren't shy about stating how they are going to encourage change.

But wait a minute? Aren't these the new bulbs that environmentalists and politicians assured us would be better for us in every way?

First we found out that the new, efficient bulbs were going to be 6 to 10 times more expensive than the incandescent bulbs we've used for the past 80 years.

Then, we learned that each wonder bulb contains toxic heavy metals, and they contaminate the environment with 30,000 lbs of mercury every year!

Then (shockingly) we learned that these bulbs that are supposed to last for years often have no longer a life than the old ones. I've personally had to replace five CFC bulbs that were less than a year old, out of the 25 I switched.

And now, it sounds like they are pumping out radiation and 'electromagnetic fields', whatever the heck those are.

The companies that make CFC bulbs should have gone bankrupt a long time ago for creating such a crappy, dangerous product. But because Big Eco is behind it, and politicians are heavily invested (in more ways than one) they keep betting on a losing horse. With our money.

In reality it's one more nail in the coffin of liberty, the free market and self government in Canada. The end result is entirely predictable: fewer jobs, grotesque market inefficiencies and big cash outflow increases for the ordinary Canadian. And, apparently, environmental and health care disaster.

That isn't entirely surprising - historically, those places where the government is most in control of the economy become the most polluted on earth.

A response to this story was penned by a forum poster on CBC.ca named 'DennisGauss'. He stated that he owned a small motel and would have to buy 200 CFC bulbs to replace his current bulbs. (Truly a small motel)

He had tried a couple CFC's for test purposes and the expensive new bulbs were promptly stolen. Then he learned that the new CFC bulbs contain mercury, so if they break in a hotel room the owners pretty much have to deal with it as an emergency situation at any time of day or night.

He mentioned that there is real concern among hotel owners that they will become open to lawsuits if the don't inspect those rooms where bulbs break for traces of mercury. Of course, that would require some sort of hazardous materials equipment.

Makes you wonder which hotel owner in their right mind wouldn't choose to use the old, safe, reliable incandescent bulbs.

He ended his post with this: "The trouble with the green movement is they have all the answers, but none of the solutions. Every time David Suzuki opens his mouth it costs our economy thousands of lost jobs & millions of dollars. Not to mention he usually opens his mouth at 30,000 feet in the air on his polluted way across the world."

Couldn't have said it better myself.