Jan. 3, 2011, was the day the people of B.C. lost their right to make a choice, the choice as to how they will illuminate their home. A simple choice, but a choice nevertheless and a right denied them.
Henceforth the people of B.C. will be required to use the infamous CFL bulb. The CFL bulb is known to be not only a fire hazard; but also a danger to peoples' health and well being. A product that must be destroyed in a high containment facility in order to prevent the toxic materials contained in the bulbs from reaching the public.
Some facts about the CFL bulb. It contains mercury; radiation from it is known to make people seriously ill. It will give a burn equal to a severe sun burn.
If broken in the home you must evacuate.
A minimum of 98 per cent of these mercury-laden bulbs will end up in landfills simply because people will not drive for miles/kilometers to deposit one burned out bulb.
B.C. is the first province to ban the incandescent light bulb. In 2012 the Federal government will ban the incandescent light bulb Canadawide. Every home will have no option but to use the dangerous and deadly CFL light bulb.
If the CFL light bulbs were a child's toy containing this much toxic poison it would never have been permitted on store shelves. People could die from the use of this product.
I am asking the question that many people are already asking.
Are MLAs and MPs prepared to stand graveside with a grieving young mother as she buries her child who has died from mercury poisoning from a broken CFL light bulb and explain to her that her child died so organizations such as Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation, who have actively promoted and advocated the use of this deadly product can go on saving the world from the incandescent light bulb of mass destruction.
Larry N. Barnes
Prince George
