Energy-Efficient Bulbs & Health Issues

Developing countries around the world have enacted bans on the use of incandescent lights. Although this adoption of more energy-efficient bulbs is intended to reduce energy consumption, scientists like Trent University's Magda Havas believe that much more research is needed on the health effects of fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent light bulbs generate electromagnetic and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and in addition, fluorescent bulbs contain the neurotoxin mercury.

UV Radiation Health Effects

• Open bulbs emit dangerous levels of UV light.

  Fluorescent light bulbs come in either open or encapsulated form. When encapsulated, the inner coil is enclosed within a second layer of glass. Open fluorescent light bulbs release high levels of UV radiation. The UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) warned users to avoid using such lights in close range --- closer than a foot --- for more than one hour a day. They warned of sunburn-like effects and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Mercury Dangers

• Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury.

  Fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. If such a bulb should break, the mercury vaporizes into the air, so these bulbs are considered hazardous waste and can't go in the trash. Vacuuming broken glass after a fluorescent bulb breaks increases the amount of mercury circulating in the air. The Environmental Protection Agency's Jim Coleman reports that you shouldn't even use a broom to clean up such debris. A 16-step process is recommended that includes opening windows, using rubber gloves and stiff cardboard, an airtight glass jar and sticky tape. The inhalation of mercury can cause headaches, mood problems, muscle degradation, tremors or weakness. Mercury interferes with the nervous system and affects cognitive function.

Electromagnetic Radiation Health Effects

• Fluorescent lighting can cause behavioral problems in schoolchildren.

  The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized ElectroHyperSensitivity (EHS) as a very real and debilitating disorder in 2004. Havas estimates that 21.8 million people in Europe suffer severe EHS symptoms, and 254 million have moderate symptoms. Continual exposure to electromagnetic radiation heightens such sensitivity, so the numbers should continue to grow.

  EHS symtoms include chronic fatigue and pain, trouble concentrating and memory loss, dizziness and skin problems. Electromagnetic radiation or dirty electricity can affect mood, digestion, and the circulatory and respiratory systems. Havas reports that the dirty electricity energy-efficient bulbs emit has been linked to behavioral problems and cancer clusters in California schools. Electromagnetic radiation from fluorescent lighting has been reported to worsen epilepsy, lupus and migraines.

Additional Studies

• Fluorescent lighting affects concentration and memory.

  The Human Ecological Social Economic Project, or The h.e.s.e. Project, is an international platform for European scientists that has compiled studies on the effects of fluorescent lighting on human health. They report that a 1982 study published in "The Lancet" found that fluorescent lights doubled the risk of malignant melanomas in women at their workplaces and significantly increased melanoma occurrence in men.

  Fluorescent lights decreased mental performance, increased stress and stunted the growth of schoolchildren, a 1980 study by Hollwich and Dieckhues reported. Such lighting increased blood pressure and misbehavior in children in a 1982 study by Wohlfarth and Wohlfarth, and removing these lights reduced hyperactivity in classrooms by 32 percent in a 1976 Painter study.

Rushing Change

• Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation is increasing all over the world, scientists believe.

  Scientists such as Havas believe that governments should insist on the development of light bulbs that are energy efficient but have low levels of UV radiation, are mercury-free and don't produce worrisome levels of electromagnetic radiation. The h.e.s.e Project scientists recommend that manufacturers be required to add filtering devices to energy-efficient bulbs to screen dangerous emanations. In either case, they say, consumers shouldn't be forced to use fluorescent light bulbs.