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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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27

Euro Bulb Ban Begins, But Many Take Dim View of CFLs

Consumers stockpile aesthetically pleasing old-school bulbs

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(Newser) – Though proponents plug the financial savings and good climate karma of compact fluorescent light bulbs, not everyone thinks the European ban on most incandescent bulbs that kicks in tomorrow is such a bright idea, the New York Times reports. Consumers across the continent are hoarding old-school bulbs, worried over the aesthetic difference of CFL-lit spaces.

The new bulbs can cost as much as $14, to 70¢ for an old incandescent, but authorities say replacing wasteful old with efficient new will save the continent $7.2 billion annually. “But the downside is that the light isn’t as nice,” says one Parisian; incandescent sales in Germany are up 34% this year. The US will begin phasing out incandescents in 2012, the Times notes.

Beginning tomorrow, shops in European Union countries won't be able to buy any more bulbs like these.
Beginning tomorrow, shops in European Union countries won't be able to buy any more bulbs like these.   (Wikimedia Commons)
  (Wikimedia Commons)
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.
The compact fluorescent bulbs aren't as esthetically pleasing as old-school incandescents, critics charge.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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The blanket ban could spell misery for thousands of epilepsy and anxiety sufferers who are adversely affected by energy-saving bulbs. - European Parliament member
Martin Callanan; mercury levels are also
a concern in CFLs

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27 comments
VIEWING:
 
dontlikeyou
Aug 31, 09 6:44 PM CDT
Not to mention the dangerous situation that the Fluorescent bulbs contain Mercury. Mercury in just tiny amounts can cause brain damage. It just shows you the extreme stupidity of the leftist tree huggers who have more emotions than brains. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-10
IN RESPONSE:
2-bits
Aug 31, 09 6:47 PM CDT
If you don't go around licking broken lightbulbs you have nothing to worry about. So lick up, you have until 2012.
Vote up! Vote down!
+11
IN RESPONSE:
Yourself
Aug 31, 09 6:53 PM CDT
funny, since they were invented by GE, a republican leaning company. Yet again, you don't know your facts and go running your mouth with inaccurate statements. thanks for the reminder of your ignorance to reality.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Aug 31, 09 6:56 PM CDT
The mercury in the coal you burn to create ten times the energy output to light your old fashioned light bulbs is easily the greater devil.
Vote up! Vote down!
+14
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Aug 31, 09 7:09 PM CDT
Righteous, DocZ!
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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 EU Will Ban Incandescent Bulbs 

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Jun 19, 08 2:07 PM CDT
(Newser) - The European Union is set to begin phasing out the incandescent light bulb in favor of compact fluorescent bulb, Der Spiegel reports. The highest-wattage bulbs will go next year; the transition to CFLs—using a fifth of the energy and lasting 10 times longer—should be complete in 2015.  More »

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