Write Your Legislator – Template Letter »
Summary of CFL Concerns »
Research into the Effects and Implications of Increased CFL Use »
Learning to See, A Matter of Light »
BAN THE BULB!
The Energy Independence and Security Act will phase out incandescent light bulbs beginning in 2012 and mandate CFL's (compact fluorescent lamps). This presents serious health, environmental, and basic living concerns for every person at home and in the workplace.
ACT NOW!
Learn the facts at the following websites:- • www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm
- • www.epa.gov/hg/spills/index.htm
- • www.epa.gov
- • article.nationalreview.com/437464/the-all-american-light-bulb-dims-as-freedom-flickers/deroy-murdock
- • hotair.com/archives/2010/09/08/the-stupidity-of-politics-green-fables-jobs-and-the-incandescent-bulb
- • www.greenpages.pld-a.org
Say No! Contact your local legislators.
Continued public pressure is our best chance to repeal our government's irresponsible mandate. Use this sample letter: Write Your Legislator - Template Letter.
You can also contact the Secretary of Energy: The.Secretary@hq.doe.gov.
The Incandescent Light Bulb Ban - further background:
In my nearly 60 years of lighting design practice, I have never encountered such DOE irresponsibility. While I have worked on numerous innovative lighting concepts and energy initiatives throughout my career, this light fight by far, is the most significant.
The DOE is ignoring important health and environmental concerns that warrant much deeper investigation and resolution. The CFL's potential problems far outweigh the potential energy savings benefits.
Banning the incandescent light is a declaration of war. Below is a summary of concerns representing a fraction of potential problems.
Summary of CFL Concerns
Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMF) – With CFLs in virtually every American household, there will be constant long term exposure to EMFs. Not enough is known about the health consequences of continuous exposure, even at low intensities. With a grant made possible by the IES, I have organized a team of recognized physicians and researchers to study these concerns.Disposal/Recycling – CFLs contain mercury and warrant safe clean up when broken, as well as proper disposal/recycling. There is no Federal method for this process. Most CFLs will end up in landfills. Fact: 1 gram of mercury will pollute a 2 acre pond.
Plastic Packaging – Most CFLs are packaged in plastic creating further environmental issues.
Existing Fixtures Won't Work – Most recessed lighting fixtures will have to be replaced or eliminated to work with CFLs. There is no plan for disposal.
Dimmer Problems – All dimmers made to control dimmable CFLs do not work with all CFLs that are labeled to be dimmable. Lamps and dimmers must be matched - a nearly impossible task. Most existing dimmer installations will have to be replaced.
CFL lamp life claims are not based on actual use but on a mathematical premise. Actual use research is necessary.
Quality of Light – All CFLs are spectrally deficient when it comes to properly rendering most skin tones. Since this light will serve people in all aspects of life, naturally this is a concern.
Where to Go From Here
The CFL switch has already begun. The government's banning of the incandescent light serves corporations and buildings - not people. Our government should be serving the people. Now is not the time to stockpile incandescent lights. Instead, now is the time to contact your local legislators to halt the DOE's irresponsible mandate.Read further about public opposition and concerns at wikipedia.org and read my editorial published in The Wall Street Journal in August.
My concerns have also been covered by Fox News, five radio shows, numerous journals, and an interview with the NY Times Green Blog, A Defense of the Incandescent Light Bulb.
Many other papers have been published documenting the problems with the DOE's mandate. See Saving the Lamp References (.pdf).
With meaningful public support, I hope our industry leaders and lighting professionals will ultimately do the right thing and actively join in to SAY NO to the incandescent light ban.
Research into the Effects and Implications of Increased CFL Use
In September 2009, I assembled a first-class team of doctors and researchers to study the implications of the wide-spread use of CFLs. Supported in part with a grant from the IES, the primary intention was to determine if further investigation and research is warranted to re-examine the direction of current and proposed lighting related legislation. Our study included:
- • A literature search of the health hazards post by Electro-magnetic Fields
- • Measurements of the fields generated by CFLs
- • Measurements of EMF's at installations
- • Creation of a detailed list of potential problems stemming from installed CFL usage
- • An analysis of actual installation system efficiencies – CFL vs. Incandescent
- • An illustration of dimmer induced SPD shifts with CFLs. Illustrated with SPDs.
Our findings fully support that further research must be done. A most chilling conclusion is that human health impacts from Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) exposure have not been established. Nor have they been disproved. Current legislation has not fully considered the health consequences that flow from vastly increased ELF exposure from the mandated use of CFLs. This is most alarming as hundreds of millions of people will be subjected to an experiment with unpredictable and possibly adverse effects.
The full research report is available here. The document is large — 3MB (.pdf).
Learning to See, A Matter of Light
The time had come for me to write a book, not for myself but because no book exists today that truly covers the art of lighting design in the context of life. Nor do existing books on lighting design talk about light and lighting in an accessible language – for the folks that use the light. All people should be given the opportunity to understand light and its application, lighting. The following sneak preview/critique probably provides the best overall description:
"Howard Brandston has written a book that meets all the criteria for one that you won’t want to put down. It is filled with interesting information in a “oh, that’s why that happens” way. It is entertaining but not frivolous. It forces critical thinking but is easy to digest. It teaches but without being condescending. It is sophisticated but not intimidating.
He has also shared with us a remarkable career, filled with important responsibilities. For those of us who have always taken it for granted, Howard has put light in a whole new light."
Buying the book is easy online:
Numerous positive reviews have been published worldwide, and I am honored. To purchase, visit Amazon or www.iesna.org/store.