Black out it is the no longer strange in Malawi. It is the order of the day. During rainy season it is because of load shedding. During the dry season it is another reason all together.
Many people have commented on the problem. Economists are very much worried on the revenues lost by industries and companies. Engineers blame the worn out equipment in our HEP stations and lack of adequate maintenance. Environmentalists push the blame on unsustainable land use practices, cultivation in the river bank and wanton cutting down of trees. Climatologist it’s a question of climate change which is being overlooked in the country.
There are many reasons which can be attached to the problem. Every school of thought has valid arguments. It is somehow interesting to note that all stakeholders are standing on different platform. If all stakeholders can come together – can we not find a lasting solution for the problem?
Energy is the driving force for development. Currently the country is moving in the right direction. There is conducive environment for establishment of industries and companies – political will, flourish microeconomic and macroeconomic environment. The drawback currently is unsustainable and irregular power supply.
However as a way to reduce power demand there has been a successful campaign to replace the ordinary bulbs with energy saver bulbs. Due the success of the campaign championed by ESCOM, business was created for the Asian community and local merchants. The country is mercilessly flooded with all kind of energy saver bulbs.
Having a liberal market, there are no limits as to what kind / type energy saver is best and suitable for our environment. Consumers have been cheated and ripped. Profits have been easily made by clever business person. Surprisingly ESCOM is just quite about the whole business. Other stakeholders have not even thought about this energy saver bulb business.
The question is – are the energy saver bulbs an answer to blackout? Are the energy saver bulbs just better than ordinary bulbs?It is true that energy saver bulb saves energy. Some may use only 20% of energy used by ordinary bulb. Economically, it is wise using them. They last longer but also cumulatively electrical tariff is reduced.It is wise to provide a full meal and understand the entire issues surrounding the energy saver bulbs. It is also true that energy saver bulbs contain tiny amount of mercury. Mercury is poisonous but it's also a necessary part of most compact fluorescent bulbs[1].
The known and proven effects of mercury include:·
- Damages the kidney, liver and in sufficient amount cause death.·
- Affects nervous system. Symptoms include these: tremors; emotional changes (e.g., mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insomnia; neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; changes in nerve responses; performance deficits on tests of cognitive function.
- At higher exposures there may be kidney effects, respiratory failure and death[2].
This mercury is released when the bulb burned out or is broken. Considering the lack of legislation of waste disposal, it is recommended to disposal these bulbs separately. If the bulb is broken in the house, it is recommended that every person should leave the room. The windows should be opened for 15 – 30 minutes. Then with gloves all the trashes should be put in a plastic and safely deposited. Sadly due to insatiable appetite of money these issues are not revealed. I wonder where our consumer society is. May be it was gone with Honorable Kapito to HRCC. Innocent consumers are progressively dying because of lack of knowledge.
[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSN2744810520070327?pageNumber=1[2] http://www.epa.gov/hg/effects.htm#elem
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