Continuing on from my last post.

In Part 1 of this article I attempted to present a broader understanding of evidence relating to the negative impact that Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) are having upon our health and the environment.

There is one part of the rationale used by the movement supporting the use of CFL’s, that I did not mention in Part 1. The logic is as follows. Greater lamp efficiency => less energy needed => less fossil fuels used => less mercury containing pollutants released into the atmosphere.

I don’t know who did the calculations on this one, but it seems to me that if there are devices already in existence that are MORE efficient than CFL’s AND also mercury free, then we should focus more in that direction; even if that alternative currently costs more.

What do YOU think? .. Maybe I’m missing something here. Please post a comment to enlighten me if you’ve found something that addresses this.

So, am I inferring that there ARE energy efficient, safer alternatives to CFL’s? YES INDEED; in fact, to me, it provides a much more attractive solution to the issue of lowering energy consumption and reducing polluting emissions. 

                  What Are Safe Alternatives to CFL Bulbs? 

Things are changing so fast that it’s hard to keep up with the technological advancements. What might have been considered only a mediocre alternative today, may evolve to be a GREAT solution a month or two down the track.

  LED (Light-Emitting Diode) Lamps

Typically, LED’s are  more expensive than CFL’s, but as consumer demand grows for this product prices will eventually come down. The LED’s are far better for the environment than CFLs AND more efficient.

                        BENEFITS of LED Lamps  
                   – Contain NO Mercury
                   – Last longer than CFL’s 
                   – More Energy Efficient than CFL’s 
                   – Very little, if any, EMF pollution.

A quick search on the internet will come up with suppliers in your area. One Australian source that specializes in LED lamps is the OnLine LED Shop.

This online store also provides a handy “Light Globe Conversion Chart” that compares light output, power consumption, running costs etc. for the four major lighting sources: LED, CFL’s. Halogen and Incandescent bulbs.  It’s a PDF that you can access by clicking HERE.

Naturally, prices can vary hugely depending on where you shop. To help you further with finding the BEST PRICE on the internet for LED’s or whatever you are looking for, make sure you read the section below entitled “How To Find The BEST PRICE For Safe, Energy Efficient Lighting“ 

Halogen Bulbs 

I have tended to associate Halogen Bulbs with the automotive industry during my growing up years. The more I dig into this subject I find there is quite a history to the halogen bulb.

There have been many technological improvements, particularly over recent years to where they are now a viable, clean alternative to CFL’s. For a very in-depth look into the various aspects of this technology, visit SuperGreenMe.com for an excellent article on the subject. There are some “pluses” and some “minuses” here depending on the application.

                                 BENEFITS of HALOGEN Bulbs 
                   – Contain NO Mercury (high efficiency bulbs)
                   – Last much longer than incandescent  
                   – More Energy Efficient than incandescent
                   – No EMF pollution.

For a handy PDF comparing the LED with the Halogen Lamps CLICK HERE

Technological Advances Are Constantly Bringing
New Products to the Market Place

I noticed when I was checking into resources, that articles written only a couple of years ago, were actually very much outdated, in terms of what was available now in the market place.

If you really want to stay up to speed on this subject, here’s a very unassuming little site that I stumbled across. It’s called Don Klipstein’s Lighting Info Site!

There’s probably as wide a variety of useful information available here about anything to do with light bulbs than you’ll find anywhere. You just have to use the “FIND” or “SEARCH” tool in your browser to find what you want. Check out his writings on “The great Internet Light Bulb Book – Part 1″

  How to deal with the “Dirty Electricity”

In the video featured in Part 1 of this article there was mention of the use of certain devices that could cleanup or neutralize the “dirty electricity”  in your home. Remember that EMF Pollution (”dirty electricity”) is not only produced by the use of CFL’s but also various other electronic appliances in your home.

This is really a subject for another article, but for now, have a look into the device mentioned in the video; the “GS Filter” or the Graham-Stetzer Filter. Just by plugging this device into your household circuit it is claimed to “filter” or “harmonize” Electro-magnetic pollution in the home.

For a good resource of information and products I invite you to check out DirtyElectricity.ca.

How to Find the BEST PRICE
for Safe, Energy Efficient Lighting

We have a quick and easy solution to help you find the best price for LED’s, or anything, for that matter. It’s a tiny, patented software application called MyShoppingGenie. It WILL save you time and money.

The best part is that it is totally FREE.
Our GIFT to you.
To claim your personal Shopping Genie please visit
www.MYShoppingGenieGift.com
(tell your friends about it too.)

As time goes on, and more people get turned on to the idea of using LED bulbs you can be sure that the price will come down and efficiency will be further improved.

This information could benefit you
or someone you care about

In Part 3 I’ll focus more on how CFL’s are adversely affecting human health. Stay informed. This information could provide you with a very quick and easy solution to a health concern that you or someone you know may be having. Better still, it could PREVENT it from occurring in the first place.

Other useful LINKS:

Mercury Use In Lighting – Aug 2008 – Great facts Sheet CLICK HERE
Disposal of Lamps Containing Mercury (hg) CLICK HERE
PDF (Jan’08) Alternatives to Mercury-Containing Light Sources CLICK HERE
Information & Resources www.DirtyElectricity.org
                                 www.DirtyElectricity.ca
Thanks to www.Chevychevy.com for the LED pic

“I can’t stand a naked light bulb,
any more than I can a rude remark
or a vulgar action.”   
                                             .. Tennessee Williams
                                               (from “A Streetcar Named Desire”)