8 aspects of potentially health dangerous CFL bulbs
Introduction to Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL)
We are becoming more conscious about climate change and many governments in the world are looking for different ways to reduce greenhouse gases and to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. One of the simplest solution for this is aggressively adopting CFL which is phasing out energy inefficient light.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL), heavily promoted for their energy saving properties and quickly pushing traditional incandescent bulbs out of the market.
They are now inexpensive, payback in electricity savings is nearly immediate, and there is that side benefit of reducing power plant emissions.
CFL bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last longer. At first glance this seems like a good way to conserve energy and to protect our environment. However…
Sales of CFL light bulbs are down more than 16% compared to 2010
Many environmentally conscious people think they are doing a great thing by using compact fluorescent light bulbs – CFLs. We see them advertised everywhere, even our most trusted environmental news sources tells us we should be using them. Production of traditional incandescent light bulbs may be phased out completely by the year 2014.
Unfortunately most people are unaware of and not many are talking about the fact that although CFL bulbs reduce energy and greenhouse gases, they put our health at an even greater risk than incandescent bulbs. They are energy efficient but not environmentally friendly. There are a number of serious problems associated with CFL bulbs that need to be considered and corrected. These include mercury content, emission of UV radiation, emission of radio frequency radiation, and generation of dirty electricity. There is the additional concern that these lights are making some people ill. This includes those who suffer from migraines, skin problems, epilepsy, and electrical sensitivity.
Governments are mandating CFL use and banning incandescent light bulbs. Media, industry, and governments have “screwed” the benefits of CFL bulbs into the deepest sockets of our mind. We are neutrally try to highlight dark and bright side of CFL by some fact and supporting arguments.
Bright Side of CFL
There are some advantages of CFL over incandescent light bulbs:
- Compact fluorescent lamps are four time more efficient than traditional light bulbs. (13 Watt CFL would give off as much light as a 60 Watt incandescent).
- CFL bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
- CFL has long life compared to incandescent light bulbs.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs are easily shrinking power bill and carbon footprint.
- CFL reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants created by fossil-fuel power plants.
- Price so CFL is less compared to incandescent light bulbs.
Dark Side of CFL (Health problems created by CFL)
CFL’s save energy. Saving energy is good for the planet and may retard global warming. Sounds good although CFL have some seriously negative effects.
1. Mercury emissions by CFL
One of the negatives side of CFLs that it contain mercury so it must be disposed of properly in order to prevent contamination of our environment, our landfills and our water supply.
Mercury is an essential ingredient for most energy efficient lighting products, including CFLs. It is the mercury that excites phosphors in a CFL, causing them to glow and give light. When electric current passes through mercury vapor, the mercury emits ultraviolet energy. When this ultraviolet energy passes through the phosphor coating, it produces light very efficiently. Because mercury is consumed during lamp operation, a certain amount is necessary to produce light and achieve long lamp life.
Mercury can be added to the CFL in two ways. Some manufacturers use liquid mercury, which is less expensive and more difficult to accurately dose. Uses amalgam, a small “pill” which is a solid state form of mercury and other elements. Amalgam is much easier and more accurate to dose. This is the only manufacturer using 100 percent amalgam in its CFL products.
Airborne mercury poses a very low risk of exposure. However, when mercury emissions deposit into lakes and oceans, they can transform into a highly toxic form that builds up in fish. Fish consumption is the most common pathway for human exposure to mercury. Pregnant women and young children are most vulnerable to the effects of this type of mercury exposure. However, the most people are not exposed to harmful levels of mercury through fish consumption.
Mercury is an element found naturally in the environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come from both natural and man-made sources. Utility power plants (mainly coal-fired) are the primary man-made source, as mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity. Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40% of the mercury emissions.
Health problems associated with mercury depend on how much has entered your body, how it entered your body, how long you have been exposed to it, and how your body responds to the mercury. Children are more susceptible to mercury poisoning than adults. Exposure to small amounts of mercury over a long period, and brief contact with high levels of mercury may cause adverse health effects. Symptoms depend on the length or level of exposure.
Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause serious damage to the all the tissues and organs in the body as well as the central nervous system and endocrine system and it disrupts functioning of crucial neurotransmitters in the brain.
It is one of the most toxic substances on the planet and has been linked to a variety of serious health conditions like autism, memory problems, infertility, depression, thyroid disorders, Alzheimer’s, adrenal disorders, anxiety, Parkinson’s and MS to name a few. It is especially toxic to children, pregnant women and small pets.
While the mercury is contained in the light bulb there is no risk, however if you drop the bulb on the floor of your home, then you are exposed to dangerous mercury vapors. Many are reporting that it is quite easy to break CFL light bulbs as you are screwing it in the socket.
While the mercury is contained in the light bulb there is no risk, however if you drop the bulb on the floor of your home, then you are exposed to dangerous mercury vapors. Many are reporting that it is quite easy to break CFL light bulbs as you are screwing it in the socket.
Additionally, when we toss them in the garbage and they are picked up by the garbage company, they are getting broken all over the city and in the landfills. This means that our air and soil is being contaminated with mercury across our cities.
Arguments to oppose this Drawback
- The amount of mercury in the most popular and widely used CFLs is minimal, ranging between 2.3 mg and 3.5 mg. That is lower than other CFLs on the market, which generally contain approximately 5 mg, roughly the equivalent of the tip of a ballpoint pen.
. - By comparison, older home thermometers contain 500 milligrams of mercury and many manual thermostats contain up to 3000 milligrams. It would take between 100 and 665 CFLs to equal those amounts..
- CFLs are safe to use in your home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when used properly.
. - CFLs are responsible for less mercury than standard incandescent light bulbs, and actually work to prevent mercury from entering our air, where it most affects our health. The highest source of mercury in our air comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, the most common fuel used to produce electricity. A CFL uses 75% less energy than an incandescent light bulb and lasts up to 13 times longer.
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70% of power plants are coal fired and thus burn fossil fuel to produce energy. These power plants will emit 10 mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4 mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time. Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40% of the mercury emissions.
2. Compact fluorescent bulbs and Migraine
In the past, some people reported headaches or eye strain when using fluorescent lighting. Some could see a flicker in the lighting, caused by lower frequencies and magnetic ballasts. The newer CFLs use higher frequencies and electronic ballasts, which mean the human eye, cannot detect any change in the light frequency.
There is also less of a ‘hum’ in the newer lights. The ‘hum’ in older lights may have caused headaches.
The flickering of fluorescent bulbs is a known migraine trigger. Compact fluorescent bulbs have made great strides in reducing the flickering that is common in this class of light bulbs. Despite this, many individuals are finding that compact fluorescent bulbs cause migraine headaches. CFL bulb manufacturers have denied any link between the bulbs and increased headache problems.
Currently, there is little research to support the link between migraine and CFL use; however, personal, anecdotal evidence demonstrates that many migraines cannot tolerate the new lights. Migraine is not just a headache. Migraine disease is a neurological condition that not only causes pain but can impact motor function, sensory function, vision, memory, and speech.
Individuals who have problems with fluorescent bulbs can try the following tips to lessen the impact of a CFL on migraine disease:
Arguments to oppose this Drawback
- Use the newest compact fluorescent bulbs available.
- Sit as far from the bulbs as possible.
- If flickering is interfering with TV or computer monitor use, try repositioning the light to see if the flickering effect on the screen lessens.
- Try eye glasses or contacts that block out UV radiation.
- Use halogen or LED lighting.
- Try double walled bulbs or a light diffuser.
3. Compact fluorescent bulbs and Lupus
Compact fluorescent bulbs can produce more ultraviolet light and have a different light spectrum than incandescent bulbs. This makes compact fluorescent bulbs problematic for people with Lupus or other light sensitive skin conditions.
Individuals with light sensitivity should monitor the effect of compact fluorescent bulbs on their health.
Arguments to eliminate this Drawback
- Keep at least 1 foot between yourself and the compact fluorescent bulb.
- Try a light cover or diffuser over the light.
- Investigate the amount of ultraviolet light produced by different brands of CFLs.
- Use halogen or LED lighting.
4. Ultra violet light emissions from CFL
Ultra violet light is responsible for skin cancer. It can also be a problem for individuals with ultra violet sensitive conditions such as Lupus.
One would think that staying inside would keep a person safe from this harmful radiation.
Arguments to eliminate this Drawback
This is not completely true. Fluorescent lights put off UV light. While this exposure is much smaller than that of sunlight, it is important to keep it in mind. The current guideline limit is 30 J m-2 for the eye and skin, which is equivalent to a constant irradiance of 1 mW m-2 effective for 30,000 seconds or 8 hours, a normal working day.
At close proximity (2 cm or ¾ inch), the exposure limit would be exceeded in less than 10 minutes by about 20% of the CFLs tested.
About half of the CFLs exceeded the exposure limit at this distance after 30 minutes. If the distance is increased to about 8″ only around 8% of the CFL bulbs exceed this limit.Also, encapsulated bulbs that have a globe of glass around the CFL itself emit less UV radiation than the traditional bulbs.
Do not use compact fluorescent bulbs for close up work or lighting. Purchase double walled CFLs that are encapsulated.
5. Spectral distributions by CFL
Natural daylight provides the only true full spectrum lighting. Incandescent light is closer in spectral distribution to natural daylight; fluorescent light is far different which accounts for its negative effects on the human body. There are thousands, of well documented scientific photo biological studies indicating the negative effects of fluorescent lighting.
The effects of different light sources on the body have been researched at a long list of prestigious institutions including MIT, and Harvard University.
The latest research is being done on how different colors of light (spectral distributions) affect the body’s circadian rhythms. Researchers used to think of the eye as the main organ for vision but because of the recent discovery of additional nerve connections, it is now understood that light mediates and controls a number of biochemical processes in the human body, including the production of important hormones through control of the light/dark cycle (circadian rhythms) – the body’s biological clock.
Fluorescent light gives off a very much distorted spectrum which is very different from the natural daylight in which our bodies have evolved.
Fluorescent light disrupts our circadian rhythms – our body’s regulator mechanism – and in doing so studies have shown negative health effects from minor annoyances such as headaches, eyestrain, fatigue, and weight gain, to serious effects such as insomnia and sleep disturbances, an increased risk of cancer, and a suppressed immune system.
6. Emission of UV Radiation by CFL
Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which emits UV radiation when it is electrically excited. This UV radiation then interacts with the chemicals on the inside of the bulb to generate light. According to Philippe Laroche, Media Relations Officer for Health Canada, compact fluorescent light bulbs, unlike tube fluorescent bulbs, do not have prismatic diffusers to filter UV radiation.
Therefore, there may be skin sensitivity issues, especially in people with certain skin diseases.
Interestingly, the British Dermatological Association has spoken out against CFL bulbs because their patients have adverse reactions to them. They are asking the UK government to allow people with skin problems to continue using incandescent light bulbs once the ban for energy inefficient bulbs becomes law.
Arguments to eliminate this Drawback
Not all CFL are the same. GE produces a low-UV bulb called Safe-T-Guard (registered Trade mark) for dark rooms. So the technology to produce safer bulbs is available and should be required for all bulbs.
7. Emission of Radio Frequency Radiation by CFL
CFLs emit radio frequency radiation at levels that may interfere with various types of wireless technology.
Arguments to eliminate this Drawback
GE has started to put on General Electric acknowledges this and notice on the back of product packaging for all GE electronically ballasted CFLs:“This product complies with Part 18 of the FCC Rules, but may cause interference to radios, televisions, wireless telephones, and remote controls. Avoid placing this product near these devices. If interference occurs, move the product away from the device or plug either into a different outlet.
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Do not install this product near maritime safety equipment or other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between 0.45-30MHz. “
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Do not install this product near maritime safety equipment or other critical navigation or communication equipment operating between 0.45-30MHz. “
8. Poor Power Quality Produced by CFL
CFL is affecting Quality of Electrical Power. There is a deviation in the magnitude and frequency of the sinusoidal waveform.
Fluorescent lamps will only run on alternating current. They also need a pulse of high voltage and heated filaments at either end to start the electrical discharge that lights them. After that, the current must be limited externally, otherwise too much would flow and they would burn out. In a traditional fluorescent strip light, this is accomplished by the starter switch and the choke (a coil of wire wound around an iron core).
Once started, the current flows through the tube as a smooth sine wave at mains frequency, which is 50Hz (cycles per second).This makes the light flash on and off with each half cycle (i.e. 100 or 120 times a second) and some people, such as epileptics and migraine sufferers find this disturbing.
CFLs produce transients that contribute to poor power quality on electrical wires. According to General Electric (GE) their typical electronically-ballasted CFL operate in the 24-100 kHz frequency range. This range is within the radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum and is classified as Intermediate Frequency (IF) by the World Health Organization.
There is concern about electromagnetic interference (EMI) associated with IF and recently studies have shown that IFs are biologically active and can have adverse health effects.
Arguments to eliminate this Drawback
Not all CFL are the same some generate more dirty electricity than others. In a recent study the values for dirty electricity ranged from 47 to 1450 GS units compared with a background value (with lights off) between 54-58 GS units. Clearly technology exists to produce CFL that do not generate dirty electricity.
However, almost all CFLs use electronic control gear. This usually incorporates a switched-mode power supply in the base of the lamp itself. It rectifies the AC from the mains to convert it to DC and then chops it electronically into a series of sharp rectangular alternating pulses, which then light the lamp.
New frequency, which is usually about 40 kHz (40,000 cycles per second), is so high and the gaps between pulses are so short that the relatively slow response of the phosphors can fill them easily. Consequently, these lamps do not flash.
Required Vigilant Awareness while using of CFL
Although CFLs are considered safe to use, here are some steps you can take to further protect you and your family:
- Always handle CFLs carefully when installing and removing them.
- Buy CFLs that are marked low UV.
- Buy CFLs that have a glass cover already added, which will help further filter out UV radiation.
- Use additional glass, plastic or fabric materials in your lighting fixtures to act as UV filters.
- Increase the distance you are from the CFL, as this will reduce the level of UV exposure.
- All ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs have less than 5 milligrams of mercury (some manufacturers are able to produce CFLs that have only about 1 milligram of mercury). Avoid purchasing non-ENERGY STAR® CFLs, as they may have much higher levels of mercury in them.
- As of September 2008, all ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs are required to list their mercury content on the packaging. This information is not required on non-ENERGY STAR® CFL packaging.
- A CFL is a sealed unit, and no mercury is released when it is in use or as long as it is intact. Some mercury is released when a bulb breaks, and appropriate clean-up guidance should be followed.
- If the bulb breaks, make sure to clean it up properly. Also, check your local regulations to make sure that you won’t break any laws while disposing of the bulb.
- Look for recycling programs online, through local stores, or through the light bulb manufacturers. Make an informed choice. If CFLs concern you or if you have health problems do to them, switch to a LED or incandescent bulb
Disposal of CFL Bulbs
- If CFL breaks- carefully sweep up all the fragments, wipe the area with a wet towel, and dispose of all fragments, including the used towel, in a sealed plastic bag.
. - Follow all disposal instructions. If possible, open windows to allow the room to ventilate. Do NOT use a vacuum. Place all fragments in a sealed plastic bag and follow disposal instructions.
. - Due to the mercury in fluorescent bulbs, they require special disposal methods. When these bulbs are sent to a traditional landfill, the bulbs often will break and will then emit mercury gas that is harmful to workers and to the environment.
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The health threat to workers is especially large at transfer stations where large quantities of light bulbs may be crushed in a single location. Due to the dangers associated with mercury “ten states and multiple local jurisdictions prohibit the disposal of mercury containing products, including CFLs and other mercury containing lamps, in solid waste.”.
. - Require CFLs to go through special CFL recycling programs or for individuals to dispose of CFLs at hazardous waste collection centers.
CONCLUSION
If we can afford the discomfort of higher electrical bills, it is OK to go back to incandescent. The Earth will be fine, it just goes through cyclical warming and cooling’s, and we humans might not have as much impact on it as we give ourselves credit for. The heat generated by incandescent is not always wasted either. In colder months the heat reduces the amount of energy drawn from household heating.
In the next some year the prices of LED lighting will start to come down, and new LED lighting fixtures will be introduced. The CFLs will begin to be phased out, leaving behind a long term problem of mercury disposal, remediation, and a so far untold toll on human health
Instead of promoting compact fluorescent light bulbs governments around the world should be insisting that manufactures produces light bulbs that are electromagnetically clean and contain no toxic chemicals.
Some of these are available (LED) but are not yet affordable. With a growing number of people developing electro hypersensitivity we have a serious emerging and newly identified health risk that is likely to get worse until regulations restricting our exposure to electromagnetic pollutants are enforced.
Also, with improper disposal of these bulbs we are creating a mercury-time bomb. Since everyone uses light bulbs and since the energy inefficient incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in many countries by this is an area that requires immediate attention.
Try a CFL, but use and dispose it very carefully!
Published at Electrical Notes
