Remaining indoors to avoid harsh ultra violet rays may not be as healthy as it sounds. Women’s Health Magazine reports compact-fluorescent lights, which are being used for energy efficiency, could be damaging to skin. Not only are these lights bad for the skin, they can also be harmful to the eyes. Radiation produced from these lights have been known to also cause migraine headaches and fatigue; flickering bulbs cause headaches, dizziness, and in some cases seizures in sensitive people.
Compact-fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain phenol, naphthalene, and styrene; these toxins are poisonous carcinogens. Incandescent bulbs are being phased out by the US government in favor of CFL bulbs. In 2007 George W. Bush banned
the sale of 100 watt incandescent bulbs. This ban took effect this past January, within the next two years 75, 60, and 40 watt incandescent bulbs will no longer be sold. CFLs also contain mercury, which can harm more than just skin. As long as a CFL bulb is not broken the mercury will remain unexposed preventing any harmful effects, if a bulb is broken, mercury dust particles will be released into the air. Mercury in liquid, solid, or gaseous state is toxic; although these bulbs contain mercury they are not considered hazardous waste when broken.
These light bulbs Americans will have to use are sealed with a phosphor coating designed to absorb UV radiation. If this coating is scratched, chipped, broken, or has not adhered properly UV radiation will escape allowing the radiation to be absorbed through skin. According to Health Day News a verity of compact-fluorescent bulbs were purchased for testing. The study showed, regardless of manufacturers and stores where these bulbs were purchased, all bulbs produced a concerning level of radiation.
There are several types of skin cancer and multiple ways to prevent such cancers. Everyday Health suggests the following preventative measures: change in lifestyle and eating habits, taking medication for precancerous conditions, and
avoidance of cancer causing situation and items such as smoking and prolonged/unprotected sun exposure. The best way to prevent sun-like radiation caused by CFLs is to avoid them. If avoidance is not suitable, keep desk lamps at least an arm’s length away and switch to glass lampshades; glass filters out some but not all of the radiation.
Compact-fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain phenol, naphthalene, and styrene; these toxins are poisonous carcinogens. Incandescent bulbs are being phased out by the US government in favor of CFL bulbs. In 2007 George W. Bush banned
the sale of 100 watt incandescent bulbs. This ban took effect this past January, within the next two years 75, 60, and 40 watt incandescent bulbs will no longer be sold. CFLs also contain mercury, which can harm more than just skin. As long as a CFL bulb is not broken the mercury will remain unexposed preventing any harmful effects, if a bulb is broken, mercury dust particles will be released into the air. Mercury in liquid, solid, or gaseous state is toxic; although these bulbs contain mercury they are not considered hazardous waste when broken.
These light bulbs Americans will have to use are sealed with a phosphor coating designed to absorb UV radiation. If this coating is scratched, chipped, broken, or has not adhered properly UV radiation will escape allowing the radiation to be absorbed through skin. According to Health Day News a verity of compact-fluorescent bulbs were purchased for testing. The study showed, regardless of manufacturers and stores where these bulbs were purchased, all bulbs produced a concerning level of radiation.
There are several types of skin cancer and multiple ways to prevent such cancers. Everyday Health suggests the following preventative measures: change in lifestyle and eating habits, taking medication for precancerous conditions, and
avoidance of cancer causing situation and items such as smoking and prolonged/unprotected sun exposure. The best way to prevent sun-like radiation caused by CFLs is to avoid them. If avoidance is not suitable, keep desk lamps at least an arm’s length away and switch to glass lampshades; glass filters out some but not all of the radiation.