Posted on 01/04/2013 12:56:45 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Legislate in haste ... repent at leisure. In their haste to rid Americans of the unconscionable plague of perfectly safe if somewhat inefficient incandescent lighting, politicians in Washington have forced us to adopt more expensive technology in its place. Compact flourescent lighting (CFLs) are already known to be a considerable disposal risk, thanks to the mercury used in them. A new study reported earlier this week by Miami's CBS affiliate warns of an operational risk as well ... ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancers and even acute burns (via Katie Pavlich):
Every time you turn on the lights, you may be putting yourself at risk, according to a disturbing new study.
CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO
Energy efficient bulbs are eco-friendly and can save you big bucks, but experts say that some could also have a dark side.
Actually, they’re not all that eco-friendly, as even the government acknowledges. The EPA wants to argue that the release of mercury from CFLs in disposal is less than that released from the burning of the amount of coal one saves by using them. That may well be true overall, but not if one breaks in your house. At that point, you need to conduct an hours-long cleanup — and even if you want to dispose of an unbroken CFL, it takes special disposal in most jurisdictions due to the eco-unfriendly nature of CFLs.
And now, it takes special instructions to use them, too:
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.
Exposure to the bulbs could lead to premature aging and skin cancer, according to doctors.
“It can also cause skin cancer in the deadliest for, and that’s melanoma,” said Dr. Rebecca Tung.
Well, these are just the defective CFLs, right? The outsides are coated to block UV radiation. And that’s true, but …
In every bulb that researchers tested they found that the protective coating around the light creating ‘phosphor’ was cracked, allowing dangerous ultraviolet rays to escape.
So what can you do? Stay away from them:
Stony Brook researches advised that customers exercise caution and stay two feet away from the bulbs at all times, while storing them in an overhead fixture or lamp.
Gee … maybe Congress should have thought to check this out before regulating incandescents out of existence.
What’s the highest watt incandenscent I can stock up on today?
Where should I get them?
Thanks in advance for all info.
My wife dropped on the a utility hallway floor and broke. Fortunately, it was the only one in the house when we bought the place.
Go here for incandescent bulbs:
http://www.newcandescent.com/store/customer/
She’s probably fine.
The first time, a CFL in the bathroom blew out and showered its guts into a clean basket of laundry.
Like an idiot, I simply washed it all again and dried it, sending the mercury all through the upstairs of the house and embedding it in every item of clothing.
Then, 3 more broke within a short time.
My symptoms were heat intolerance and neurological problems.
[visual disturbances, incoordination, dizziness, tremors, etc]
The “treatment” was to avoid any more exposure.
They have chemicals which ‘drive’ mercury out of your system but it’s usually more agonizing than simply waiting for it leave on its own.
However, it never totally leaves and you’ll always be more susceptible to being ‘poisoned’ again.
Which why I wound up with it the second time after only 2 bulbs breaking.
Right after my blood reached ‘acceptable levels’ a couple months ago, just like clockwork, another CFL blew out in the light above my sofa.
This time, the light didn’t break...the glass at the bottom of the bulb literally *melted* apart from its base.
I only noticed it when the light went out and I put in a new bulb.
It was black and had really scary looking ‘blisters’ all over the glass.
I hate the damn things.
But hey, it’s all for the good of Gaia and the children, right?
Thank you rightlydividing, that seems to be about 3x the price I just found at bulbs.com; but, it seems they claim to last twice as long, plus, apparently have some positives with full spectrum light and etc. Worth it in your opinion?
Since my stock of 100’s will carry me another year or more, I haven’t bought at either website. I tend to want the rough service bulb over a standard duty, but that is because of such variations in the quality of standard bulbs. My stockpile is Sylvania and I an not thrilled with their lifespan. Then there is this place:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/
but I an not impressed there either.
Same technology, however it appears the curls in the CFL’s cause the phosphorus coating to break, causing the cancer risk. Also, the tube florescent lamps normally are installed in ceiling light fixtures with some sort of cover on them. Not in table lamps or other easy to break locations.
You can still find 100w incandescent bulbs. Most large chain home improvement store don’t have them anymore but I have had good luck at some dollar/discount stores.
Psssst!... Hey, buddy. You wanna buy an incandescent light bulb? Cheap!!??
The major orange and blue home improvement stores, supermarkets, drug stores no longer normally sell the 100w in my area. They still have 75w and lower. Occasionally they may have a small display set up near the bulbs. Check smaller more independent hardware stores or discount (i.e Ocean State Job Lot/Big Lot type) retailers.
I got a bunch from a website that primarily sells to the hotel industry.
Wow, I have to be very careful with my skin...... I need to get serious about stocking up.
Sooner or later I’d expect to see an article that claims CFL’s cause cataracts as was suspected for Cathode Ray Tubes.
Keep in mind that there is no incandescent bulb ban. Halogens are still allowed.
Soft white, no mercury, dimmable, no circuit boards, USA made...
http://images.lowes.com/product/convert ... 500053.jpg
And others...
http://images.lowes.com/product/convert ... 525513.jpg
http://www.lowes.com/pd_236933-371-6482 ... g_rating|1
Fixed links:
Keep in mind that there is no incandescent bulb ban. Halogens are still allowed.
Soft white, no mercury, dimmable, no circuit boards, USA made...
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/046135/046135500053.jpg
And others, too...
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/046135/046135525513.jpg
“Once again... the feds helping us goes very wrong.”
It had nothing to do with us. It had to do with the crooks in D.C. helping their friends and themselves become richer.
I also am NOT saying anyone should have to buy CFLs. If you want them buy them, if you like the yellow 'warm color' of Tungsten Lights (Incandescents), buy those. In any case the FedGov should stay the hell out of the way - period.
But the fact is there's NO - none, nada, zip, zero, zilch -- UV RADIATION being emitted from CFL Bulbs. Not the ones in the 'Study'(1), nor the ones that may be in your table's lamp.
Hot Air is going National Enquirer on this.
(and Hot Air members who've commented seem dumber than the Moonbats over at DUmmie-land.
(1) That 'Study' is something else too. They had to push a lot of boundaries of what 'real science' is to achieve the so-called 'dangerous results' they did (Global Warming Anyone?). But even those are not what Hot Air is saying here.
The CFL’s have also personally caused me to get migraine headaches. They also have caused my epileptic grandson to have seizures.
Developed by GE, manufactured by Chi-Coms, contributors to ‘Rats Party.......
100 watt incandescents are still available. I think so far they’ve only banned the 40 watt bulbs. Mainly because most light fixtures say “40 watt maximum”. If the fixture holds 2 bulbs, put on 75 watt bulb in it. If it hold 3 bulbs, put one 100 watt bulb or 2 60 watt bulbs in it.
60, 75 and 100 watt A19 and A21 medium base incandescent bulbs are still being sold at Home Depot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
