Federal Ban on Fluorescent Light Bulbs Takes Effect

A display of compact flourescent light (CFL) bulbs is seen at the City Lights Light Bulb Store in San Francisco, Calif., on Jan. 31, 2007. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesOttawa has begun enforcing its ban on the manufacture and import of fluorescent light bulbs, a move it says will reduce the environmental and health risks associated with mercury.Amendments to the Products Containing Mercury Regulations banning the most commonly used mercury-containing lamps for general lighting took effect on Jan. 1. The measures were first announced in 2024 by then-Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and former Health Minister Mark Holland, who said the changes were needed to eliminate lamps as a source of mercury pollution in Canada and reduce human exposure to the metal.