No, it is actually quite impossible.

I'm not fully understanding your meaning. Are you saying that the past-expiry sticks were not as bright?

Attached to some paracord for easy non-litterbug retrieval.

Yeah, I sort of suspected that, thanks.

One of the big advantages to chemical light sticks has already been touched upon. They are disposable. While planning to never come back and clean up the inactive hulls can be considered littering, tossing out chemical light sticks to areas that need some extra light is a lot more frugal than tossing your Fenix flashlight, Krill lamp, Glo-Toob, or anything else that is battery powered. This is especially true seeing as how there are always situations where there is a chance that you may not be able to come back to get your expensive battery-powered light, you need to light multiple areas (how many Krill lamps do you have?), or you need to actually throw the chemical light stick where you want the light to be (how robust are your Krill lamps?). So, in actuality, chemical light sticks are more than just disposable; they are also robust and inexpensive to obtain multiples of.

Another major advantage to these is that they do not use batteries, i.e., they are intrinsically safe. Think about that when an earthquake hits at night, the power’s out, and you smell natural gas. Wanna light your Krill lamp, Glo-Toob, or even your Fenix up now? Are you sure the battery tube you are holding was ATEX rated?

The conclusion is pretty simple. Chemical light sticks are ubiquitous. They may not be the best option for every particular circumstance, but they definitely have their place. They are kind of like the space blankets of the lighting world, in my opinion.

Ok guys... if I have a few chem lights in my kit in my truck and I need to light up the road so people can see what's going on I can easily toss them on the road, string them up, or do whatever.

When I`m assisting the other persons/vehicle and I happen to forget to pick them up during all the commotion I won't die because I just lot 5xXX$ worth of goods.

And as far as lakes, caves and ponds... it's "FUN" to light up a pond at night with one attached to a fishing line or cord, and the same for caves... nice light for around camp or to mark corners, and occasionally you COULD forget one or two... and again not freak out about losing a high dollar item.

Maybe survival situation using one in water to attract fish (may be illegal in some spots) and you lose it... you didn't just lose your primary source of light (krill, flashlight, etc) for this task.

As I`m sure everyone is aware there are TONS of usages these things have where a normal light you just wouldn't want to use.

Lighting up helo landing area, a mini air strip, a save zone marking the trail, etc.

I received a battery operated chem light (not a Krill light-this was a gimmick thingy) that I have used on my S&R team several times. I usually turn it on, and hang it off my pack, so others can see me. Alternately, when I am racked out, I usually hang it above me so people know where I am. This actually serves two purposes; one, they an find me quickly if needed, two, vehicles will (hopefully) not run me over. Although, we dont normally nap in parking lots. But, hey, jst in case....

Think about it. Middle of the night, less than optimal weather. Civilian med-evac helicopter with two pilots. Aircraft commander took the time to get out, walk over and ask "who set up the LZ?".

Obviously, if the pilot of the med-evac took the time to come out and speak to me & thank me for setting the LZ, he had no issue with their brightness.

So how do you light up a highway for a helicopter?
Those things make a lot of wind and might blow the lights away.

You don't just leave them lying on the road, or do you?

No, don't leave anything "Just laying around".

There is a long "to do" list. Generally something left to those that have been trained.