It all started with Incandescent...now they are being banned.
Based on this graph the majority of light still in use by the average household is the incandescent. However due to their incredibly consumptive nature governments around the world have passed measures to prohibit the sale of incandescent light bulbs for general lighting.
The aim is to encourage use of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) and LED lamps. Brazil and Venezuela started to phase them out in 2005, and the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia started to phase them out in 2009.
Likewise, other nations are planning scheduled phase-outs: Argentina, Russia, and CanadaMalaysia in 2014. Although the USA is not phasing out incandescent light bulbs, it has set minimum efficiency standards for lighting which preclude most legacy incandescent designs; these minimum standards phase in between 2012 and 2014. (source:Wikipedia) in 2012,and
The aim is to encourage use of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) and LED lamps. Brazil and Venezuela started to phase them out in 2005, and the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia started to phase them out in 2009.
Likewise, other nations are planning scheduled phase-outs: Argentina, Russia, and CanadaMalaysia in 2014. Although the USA is not phasing out incandescent light bulbs, it has set minimum efficiency standards for lighting which preclude most legacy incandescent designs; these minimum standards phase in between 2012 and 2014. (source:Wikipedia) in 2012,and
Then flourescent, because it was more energy efficient...but toxic!
Flourescent lighting was discovered in the 1840's and has been used widely to illuminate over 96% of business space in the world. It has been a wonderful replacement for the less efficient incandescent, however it comes with an unfortunate tradeoff...mercury.
Known as one of the most toxic substances on planet earth, mercury is used in those common tubes we see everywhere, from offices to kitchens to even kids rooms. Unfortunately the recycling rate of these tubes mixed with the mercury inside makes its way into our bodies if exposed, our water ways if spilled and is not a toxin that we can get rid of.
Ever watch the Mad Hatter on Alice and Wonderland? Ever wonder why he is mad? Inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, the term "Mad as a Hatter" referred to the often weird behavior that was exhibited by the many hatters in the town of Stockport, Britain. These hatters were exposed to the mercury vapors used to make hats in the hat factories. Mercury poisoning is known to cause neurological damage, including confused speech and distorted vision.
Now that we know more about flourescent lighting do we keep on using it and become "Mad as a Hatter?"
Known as one of the most toxic substances on planet earth, mercury is used in those common tubes we see everywhere, from offices to kitchens to even kids rooms. Unfortunately the recycling rate of these tubes mixed with the mercury inside makes its way into our bodies if exposed, our water ways if spilled and is not a toxin that we can get rid of.
Ever watch the Mad Hatter on Alice and Wonderland? Ever wonder why he is mad? Inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, the term "Mad as a Hatter" referred to the often weird behavior that was exhibited by the many hatters in the town of Stockport, Britain. These hatters were exposed to the mercury vapors used to make hats in the hat factories. Mercury poisoning is known to cause neurological damage, including confused speech and distorted vision.
Now that we know more about flourescent lighting do we keep on using it and become "Mad as a Hatter?"
Now commercial LED...but who knows about it?
Did you know that LED's have been around since the 1800's? Because they are Light Emitting Diodes (LED) they are based on the semiconductor industry which had yet to really get going until the 80's and 90's when the availability of personal computers became widespread.
So where have LED's been all our lives? They've been stuffed up inside power strips, computers, VCR's, DVD's, Calculators, etc. They finally started stretching out their wings when prices of semiconductor chips started coming down and more research was done towards getting these little, powerful, and highly efficient light source into a comparable light solution to what we are familiar with.
