Low energy light bulbs bad for you!
10 October 2008, 09:24 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Epsom
Posts: 5,832
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Low energy light bulbs bad for you!
10 October 2008, 09:35 PM
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 48,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No proven risk of cancer, only people with light sensitivity issues may take precautions. So, it sounds not that bad TBH. Every silver lining has a cloud. Imagine people being without the bulbs altogether? People will be bumping here, and bumping there; like Sara Squares 
How much of disaster will it cause then, eh? Little bit of UV is ok, just don't have it right above your head, that's all.
How much of disaster will it cause then, eh? Little bit of UV is ok, just don't have it right above your head, that's all.
Trending Topics
10 October 2008, 10:57 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Here
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No proven risk of cancer, only people with light sensitivity issues may take precautions. So, it sounds not that bad TBH. Every silver lining has a cloud. Imagine people being without the bulbs altogether? People will be bumping here, and bumping there; like Sara Squares How much of disaster will it cause then, eh? Little bit of UV is ok, just don't have it right above your head, that's all.
How much of disaster will it cause then, eh? Little bit of UV is ok, just don't have it right above your head, that's all.these tests were carried out by Eon and Npower in there call centres thru out the uk.
10 October 2008, 11:16 PM
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Guernsey
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a result of testing which revealed the potentially high levels of UV light, the HPA has issued guidelines against people using unencapsulated light bulbs - where the light coil is visible - closer than 30cms to the body for more than one hour a day.
Of course most people sit a foot from light bulbs for extended periods. I wonder how much skin reddening you'd get from a traditional 100W bulb if you held it a foot away for an hour. We've used large fluorescent lights for decades, so the migraine link is well know. It's the fact that the light flashes at 25hz that's the issue. Some people with photo sensitive epilepsy have problems with fluorescent lights of both sorts, although the only difference really is size. CFL bulbs and standard fluorescent tubes work on the same principle. The breakthrough that enabled CFL bulbs to be made commercially was in the design and miniaturisation of the starter/choke mechanism which "strikes" the tube.
Of course most people sit a foot from light bulbs for extended periods. I wonder how much skin reddening you'd get from a traditional 100W bulb if you held it a foot away for an hour. We've used large fluorescent lights for decades, so the migraine link is well know. It's the fact that the light flashes at 25hz that's the issue. Some people with photo sensitive epilepsy have problems with fluorescent lights of both sorts, although the only difference really is size. CFL bulbs and standard fluorescent tubes work on the same principle. The breakthrough that enabled CFL bulbs to be made commercially was in the design and miniaturisation of the starter/choke mechanism which "strikes" the tube.
11 October 2008, 12:59 AM
#12
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2004
Location: 3 Bedroomed Semi
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If fluorescent lights were really that bad for your health, I think they would have been banned a very long time ago. Seeing they have been around for the best part of 70 years
Just think every person who works in a office is sat underneath one, some of which have no diffusers. Its the coating on the tube that makes these lights safe. Without the coating they would only be any good in night clubs and tanning shops. However, it does wear off, often noted by the purple UV light escaping from any bends or at the very ends of the tube. However the amount of UV emitted is tiny when compared to spending an hour out in the sun.
Personally, I'd be more worried about the mercury content, especially if I break one in the house. Nasty stuff.
Just think every person who works in a office is sat underneath one, some of which have no diffusers. Its the coating on the tube that makes these lights safe. Without the coating they would only be any good in night clubs and tanning shops. However, it does wear off, often noted by the purple UV light escaping from any bends or at the very ends of the tube. However the amount of UV emitted is tiny when compared to spending an hour out in the sun.
Personally, I'd be more worried about the mercury content, especially if I break one in the house. Nasty stuff.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
jonnyboy82
Lighting and Other Electrical
0
29 September 2015 01:59 PM