ST Alpha - "Mandy, CFL's have become one of the right's rallying issues. They're the "devil" because they are becoming mandated by government regulation and " (Reading a Post)

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Mandy, CFL's have become one of the right's rallying issues. They're the "devil" because they are becoming mandated by government regulation and

Posted by pmb (aka pmb) Nov 2 '11, 14:29

because they 1) contain mercury so they are supposed to be recycled and not just thrown out (and if broken essentially become hazardous waste that requires all sorts of special handling), and 2) are more expensive than traditional bulbs, they are held out as examples of stupid government overregulation (not to mention that they are to help the environment which the right generally does not think needs helping). I've been the recipient of email forwards from my republican in-laws making these points.

Responses:

Semi-on-topic: I have one LED light, in my kitchen, replacing a halogen. It works great, and is dimmable. - psilotum Nov 2, 15:19
It's also a myth that incandescents have been banned. There are numerous high-efficiency incandescents that meet the guidelines. - Reagen Nov 2, 15:02 16
- From some quick googling: There's about 5mg of mercury in a CFL, compared with 0.5 to 3 grams in a mercury thermometer - Roger More Nov 2, 15:08 14
  - Mercury thermometers are banned in the US. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:09 9
    - In some states, not in others. Canada only moved to ban them this year. -- nm - Roger More Nov 2, 15:16 8
      - my quick google search says it's a national ban. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:18 7
        
        Here, 2002. -- (link) - loosilu Nov 2, 15:18 6
        
        That says the Senate passed a bill, not that it actually became law. - Roger More Nov 2, 15:23 5
        
        well, neither of us have good sources here. :) - loosilu Nov 2, 15:27 4
        
        If it was a national ban, I'm sure the EPA would mention that on this page. -- (link) - mara Nov 2, 15:38
        
        Regardless, the point was that CFLs contain far less mercury than things Vermin has probably put in his mouth and/or anus - Roger More Nov 2, 15:30 2
        
        THis is a topic I would rather not ponder at length. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:43
        
        in that order, one would hope. -- nm - Reagen Nov 2, 15:32
  - how much in immunizations? -- nm - tRuMaN Nov 2, 15:09 3
    - zero. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:10 2
      - (anymore. Some, but not all, contained about 25 micrograms per dose) -- nm - Reagen Nov 2, 15:12 1
        
        right. I think it was taken out of vaccines about 10 year ago. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:15
- this makes me very happy. thanks. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:03
Making the environment safer by having us house the hazardous materials *inside* does have a certain logic to it. - Dr.Vermin Nov 2, 14:36 17
- Nobody's saying that it wasn't worthy of discussion. But the discussion was had and it was determined that the benefits outweighed the costs and - pmb Nov 2, 14:54 5
  - I prefer to use them in "always-on" locations, because then the cost savings are a tangible thing. - Beryllium Nov 2, 14:58 4
    - That's how I felt about putting them in the porch lights and such. Wasn't aware they shouldn't be used outside. -- nm - pmb Nov 2, 15:15 2
      - Well, might want to do some research if you're concerned; I could be wrong. -- nm - Beryllium Nov 2, 15:16
      - there are ones specifically for outside now. -- nm - Reagen Nov 2, 15:16
    - I'm fine with that. But I want to have the choice of incandescent when I want. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 14:59
- Yeah, I've got a few CFLs in my place and I've never been pleased with them ... looking forward to trying LEDs -- nm - Beryllium Nov 2, 14:40 10
  - We've used them exclusively for over 10 years and don't have a problem. -- nm - Trish Nov 2, 14:45 2
    - I think I've had, like, three burn out on me. -- nm - Reagen Nov 2, 15:15
    - One of the ones in our kitchen burnt out ... so now I have to deal with recycling it. Yay? - Beryllium Nov 2, 14:47
  - i have the same problem with my LED bulbs as the first generation cfl. - tRuMaN Nov 2, 14:43 6
    - does "awhile" mean hours? -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 14:55
    - oh? Hmm. I wouldn't have expected that ... -- nm - Beryllium Nov 2, 14:45 4
      - its not long, maybe at most 10 secs or so, and maybe its just a problem with these bulbs - tRuMaN Nov 2, 14:58 3
        
        my beef is that "all the way" is still shit. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 14:59 2
        
        well, the bulbs i have produce as much light as a regular bulb of the same wattage rating. - tRuMaN Nov 2, 15:01 1
        
        that's what the label said on mine too. -- nm - loosilu Nov 2, 15:02
I. Kiss. You. I kiss you!! Thanks. -- nm - amanda, on bus Nov 2, 14:30

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Mandy, CFL's have become one of the right's rallying issues. They're the "devil" because they are becoming mandated by government regulation and

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