[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I bought one of thosse CFL bulbs, just for S&G's......

Didn't last a year......

[Sacajaweau]

I switched all my bulbs...They do last longer and I enjoy the flourescent light...which I have used for years in my drafting work. There was also a substantial savings on my electric bill.

[RandallFlagg]

Can she sue AlGore?

[gridlock]

I have switched out to the CFLs in some areas, like the workshop or hallways. They really are wonderful in how much money you save on energy and replacement.

But in other areas, where the quality of the light is important, I am still willing to pay extra to get full spectrum incandescent lighting.

[exDemMom]

I can’t stand fluorescent bulbs. Their light is cold and depressing, while incandescent light is warm.

Even a brief exposure to UV light causes DNA damage. Most of us have DNA repair enzymes that fix the damage right away. However, there are kids born with a defective DNA repair enzyme that leaves them completely unable to repair UV caused DNA damage. Usually the condition is discovered the first time the parents take the kid outside, and the sunlight causes welts on their skin that never go away. I’ve seen pictures of these kids, 8, 9, 10 years old, covered with welts that they got from a single sun exposure as babies. The only way to prevent further damage is to keep these kids indoors, away from UV light. Unfortunately, if the fluorescent bulbs put out UV light, and they are made mandatory, these kids don’t have a lot of options for avoiding UV light.

[Desdemona]

Lupus and those sorts of conditions aren't the only ones effected. Those of us with visual perception disorders are as well. Imagine having to go through life - forever - feeling tired, sick to your stomach, with a headache, seeing flashes of light on paper,etc., when there is really nothing wrong with you other than fluorescent lights. They are the bane of my existence. Stage lights are much better for me than fluorescent.

They may be cost efficient, energy saving - yeah, whatever. They make a lot of us sick.

[YOUGOTIT]

“they use less energy and last up to 10 times longer”

They use less energy but they do not last longer. As a matter of fact several (5 each) failed within 8 to 14 months. Wrote the manufacturer (made in China as I understand they all are) and they said that the bulbs were not made to be used where they were turned off and on on a regular basis. And do not use with ceiling fans.

Since they will be the only bulbs available in a few years what does one do with their present lighting have to replace it all?

[Dawn531]

I have MS and have noticed that many people on MS boards complain about problems with fluorescent lighting. Some even avoid stores w/fluorescent lighting, as it throws their proprioception for a loop. It has something to do with the strobe effect (which to most folks is not perceivable) but if you’re relying on your eyes for proprioception, any variation in lighting can throw you off.

I’m wondering if the smaller CFL bulbs have the same “strobe” effect?

[dforest]

I put these bulbs in the house everywhere. They do not last long. Many take too long to get to full power. I have removed and rid myself of all of them. I was one who had headaches from them.

I have bought tons of the real light bulbs. Good riddance. All this new lightbulb BS is just a way to pad the pockets of GE.

[YOUGOTIT]

Oh by the way if one is broken in a room you must call the proper government agency as the mercury is considered toxic and the room must be cleaned. Also if there is a carpet and it spews its mercury on the carpet then in all likely hood the carpet will have to be replaced.

How do we dispose of the ones that have stopped working? Since they are full of toxic material?

[SJSAMPLE]

[Red Badger]

.....and last up to 10 times longer.....

BS......It has been my experience that they don't last nearly as long.............

[DustyMoment]

They can help save money and the environment, but some say energy saving light bulbs are making them sick.

No, they can't. I've had CFLs in my house that didn't last 1/10th the time they claimed it would or the ballasts burned and, potentially, could have set the house on fire if we hadn't spotted it first. In addition, if you drop one and break it, you have to pay HazMat charges of up tp $2000.00 to have the mercury cleaned up.

There is another issue looming that has yet to be discussed - when these CFLs start ending up in landfills.

Starting in 2012 (I think), you will not be able to buy an incandescent bulb anymore (stock up!). After that, be prepared for CFLs to become much more expensive and, if Congress has its way (once they figure out the toxic issues of CFLs) we will probably have to register our CFLs to keep them out of landfills and force us all to pay exhorbitant recycling fees. It's coming, folks!

[WakeUpAndVote]

Thanks for posting this. My wife has Lupis and we have CFL bulbs all over the house. This will be interesting.

[WestCoastGal]

Fascinating subject.

I used to work in offices with fluorescent lights and found myself feeling worse the longer I was there in hours then even worse as months went by never realizing the cause.

I always thought it could be the lights, and even now, when I go into stores with those type of lights I get to feeling dizzy.. I thought it was just me.

I am going to stock up on light bulbs before 0blahblah decides we can’t have them any longer.

[JavaJumpy]

I read you can’t just walk into the kitchen, turn on the light, get a drink of water and then turn off the light as you leave the kitchen. You have to leave the light on for at least 15 minutes or else the light bulb won’t last. Also, the light bulbs contain mercury so they are considered a HAZMAT problem (like the batteries in a Prius). You can’t dispose of them in the garbage - you have to dispose of them in a HAZMAT facility.

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/

Look up Bachmann’s light bulb act:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1991848/posts

[Ditter]

bump for later

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Another gift from China.

[reagan_fanatic]

"Lupus? Is it Lupus??"

[EBH]

Ping

[al_c]

Didn't last a year......

I've been using them in some areas of my house and having that same experience. Heck, I even have some bulbs that were in the house when I bought it 3 years ago that are still burning while these darn CFLs continue to burn out. I think I'm done with them.