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Fluorescent light bulbs are one of those things that seemed like a good idea at the time. They did save energy compared to incandescent bulbs (remember those?). But they had a nasty little secret: Each one contains a dose of neurotoxic mercury that can be released into your home, or into the environment when the bulb is broken, and they emit UV rays that can contribute to skin cancer.
Now that LED lights are widely available, inexpensive and even more energy-efficient, hardly anyone wants fluorescents any more, and some states are moving to ban them. If Hawaii is last, manufacturers may do what they have done with other dangerous products in the past: Dump them in Hawaii.
I hope readers will join me in supporting House Bill 192 to phase out the sale of dangerous fluorescents in favor of longer-lasting LEDs that save us more on our electric bills.
Douglas Perrine
Kailua-Kona
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