According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the new light bulb regulations, along with the rest of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, were designed to “make America more energy independent, respond to the global warming crisis, and grow our economy.” Go To Site

Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs May Put Health At Risk

Environmentalist, Liberal, Narrative, Oops, Energy

“When there is something in your house, you don’t perceive any danger, you wouldn’t get that close to an x-ray in a doctor’s office,” explained Miriam Rafailovich, Professor of Materials Science at Stony Brook University in New York. Money saving, compact fluorescent light bulbs emit high levels of ultra violet radiation, according to a new study. Research at Long Island’s Stony Brook found that the bulbs emit rays so strong that they can actually burn skin and skin cells. “The results were that you could actually initiate cell death,” said Marcia Simon, a Professor of Dermatology.

Scientific study proves energy efficient bulbs can harm human skin cells

Environmentalist, Liberal, Government, Science, Narrative, Oops

Now, a group of scientists at Stony Brook University has proven that CFLs do emit ultraviolet (UV) light rays that can harm human skin cells. In the first part of their study, the researchers purchased CFLs from different stores in two different counties. Then they measured the invisible UV rays given off by the bulbs when lit. The rays appeared to escape through tiny cracks in the white phosphor coating on the inside of each CFL bulb’s glass. The phosphor particles actually glow with visible light as a result of an electrochemical reaction inside the bulb. The scientists noted that these cracks in the phosphor were present in all the CFLs they studied. They found significant levels of UV were emitted from the bulbs.

The Dangers of CFLs Even Greater Than Previously Known

Environmentalist, Government, Science

CFL bulbs contain many nasty toxic substances. You likely know of the mercury they contain already, but they also have things like lead (stabilizer in the plastic ballast housings), arsenic in the electronic parts, phenol in circuit boards, cyanide to process metals for parts, toxic phosphors, and the list goes on and on! They can't be tossed in the trash can, and have to be saved and recycled (expensive!) when they burn out. Incandescents are not only easily recycled, but can be discarded in the trash -- the glass and metals used are inert.

Cleaning Up a Broken CFL: Detailed Recommendations | Cleanup and Safe Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs | US EPA

Environmentalist, Liberal, Government, Narrative, Oops, Pc

# Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.
# Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.
# Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.