Ultraviolet radiation emitted by CFL bulbs, along with toxic mercury, and electromagnetic radiation are the three threats introduced in Part I of Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Unscrewed. These threats make up the dark shadow cast by compact fluorescent light bulbs on your health and the environment.

So let’s investigate the details of…

Threat 1: Compact Flourescent Lights Emitting Ultraviolet Radiation

To begin, early in October 2008, only months before Health Canada announced an investigation into CFLs, the British Health Protection Agency (HPA) cautioned CFLs sometimes emit UV radiation that is beyond acceptable safety levels.

Nine out of 53 CFL bulbs the HPA investigated emitted unacceptable levels of UV radiation.

The thing is you should only be concerned if you are a distance of 30 centimeters (about one foot) or less from the bulbs for an hour or more. The HPA stated there is no evidence that CFLs pose a cancer risk. True there may not be any scientific evidence… yet! But tell that to the people suffering from mild to sever skin reactions like red skin and burning sensations.

To be fair, I believe those suffering from skin reactions are effected by the electromagnetic radiation not the UV but we’ll get into that in Part 4 of this series of posts.

Getting back to UV radiation emitted by CFLs…

An Australian spokesperson from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts said “these emissions should not be significant when the CFLs are installed in ceiling fittings and, if necessary, could be absorbed easily by appropriate filters in desk or bed lamp fittings”.  This implies the light’s U.V. radiation is not harmful if you are a safe distance away or if they’re equipped with U.V. filters. Unfortunately, CFLs don’t have UV filters.

So if you spend a lot of time near reading or desktop CFL lamps, or if your work requires a lot of lighting, like jewelers, students, and auto mechanics, then you should be cautious. After all we know too much UV rays form the sun can seriously damage your skin. Especially, for sensitive skin that is prone to burning. Guess what? UV rays from CFLs are no different.

Are you starting to wonder how harmful CFL emitted UV rays are to your skin? You see, there’s many people reporting CFL bulbs are making them sick (although as stated earlier its probably electromagnetic radiation behind it most of this).

Nevertheless Experts Warn UV Radiation Emitted by CFLs May Cause Skin Problems

“There may be skin sensitivity issues, especially in people with certain skin diseases.”
Philippe Laroche, Media Relations Officer for Health Canada, April 2008

“Tube fluorescent bulbs have diffusers that filter the UV radiation. Compact fluorescent light bulbs do not have these diffusers and hence people using CFL are exposed to UV radiation. UV radiation has been linked to skin cancer and various skin disorders. Those who have skin problems may be particularly sensitive to this radiation.”
Dr. Magda Havas, associate professor environmental and resource studies, Trent University Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, June 2008.

Even the British Association of Dermatologists has raised concern because many patients are reporting skin conditions associated with these energy-saving bulbs.

Here in my country the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) anxiously awaits the results of the Health Canada study into CFLs launched earlier this year (2009):

“The CDA is watching with great interest. We would like to know if these light bulbs could be dangerous.” Michelle Albagli, executive director of the CDA, in an interview with Maclean’s.

Health Canada, the British Health Protection Agency, the British Association of Dermatologists, the Canadian Dermatology Association, and respected scientists are concerned about UV radiation emitted by CFLs.

So do you blame me for thinking these lights might be dangerous?

Want scientific proof?

True there isn’t very much scientific proof that UV radiation emitted from CFLs is causing or NOT causing skin problems.

However, some people are certain that their mild to severe skin reactions are caused by CFLs. That’s because when they removed the bulbs from their homes, their skin problems went away! (I’ll show you video clips in Part 4 of this series of posts that shows this).

Since, we have leading researchers, medical experts, and governments seriously taking into consideration UV rays emitted by CFLs. Then as far as I’m concerned more scientific studies need be done so we can understand this more and figure out solutions.

Mark my word, evidence is mounting against CFLs. Dr. Hava’s specific research on CFLs will be made public later in 2009 and I’m sure it will be an eye opener.

Side note: Dr. Magda Havas is a leading researcher on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields. She recently completed a study on the frequencies created by several brands of CFL light bulbs.  Once the study is peer reviewed it will be published. Through email, Dr. Havas told me, “The report is coming out later this year (2009).  Don’t know exactly when but hopefully before December.”

I’m Not Too Concerned About Ultraviolet Radiation from Energy Saving Light Bulbs (CFLs)

In all honesty, I don’t believe the UV radiation is something to worry about for most of us. In fact, I believe few individuals will have problems from UV radiation emitted by CFLs. And those will be the ones with sensitive skin who spend hours at a time next to the bulbs (for example when reading next to desktop lamps).

Bottom line, in my humble opinion, UV radiation emitted from CFLs is responsible for mild to severe skin problems (possibly skin cancer) in an extremely small group of individuals.

But it does get worse…

And in Part 3 we’ll see how your health and the environment are impacted by one of the most potent toxins on earth mercury. Mercury, you guessed it, is found inside CFLs. Then Part 4 will get into EMF (electromagnetic fields) and that’s the scary part.

 

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• Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Unscrewed: A Triple Threat to Your Health and Environment (Part 1) (29)
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Tags: cfl bulbs, compact fluorescent light, compact fluorescent light bulbs, Dr. Magda Havas, energy efficient light bulbs, energy saving light bulbs, Health, health protection agency, Philippe Laroche, uv, uv filters, uv radiation

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