dangers of fluorescent energy saving bulbs

[agatha]

Hi there

Is anyone else worried about the phasing out of incandescent lightbulbs - to be replaced by fluorescent energy saving bulbs.  I find that fluorescent lights make me feel quite unwell - eyes go drier, feel disoriented and exhausted - does anyone else get the same thing?
bw
Agatha

[Epson]

The only thing that worries my about fluorescent lights is the mercury they contain.  Do LED lights make you feel unwell?

I have a similar feeling when I am I a store with mercury or sodium vapor lights, like you find in warehouse stores.

[Pooh]

These new bulbs just make me extremely tired.  Like Sjs doesn't contribute enough, we have to have light bulbs to help.

Pooh

[SeaBreeze]

I get physically sick in stores with fluroescent lighting, for years I had headaches in school... I know now its the fluorescents causing the problems. I have only 60 watt bulbs in my home, that and 'nightlights'... I use my mini lamp to read by (clip-on) and have a mini lamp on my keyboard... pretty much walk around in the dark... lol

OK...You must at least glance at this document put out by EnergyStar... It includes a very interesting 6 step procedure for cleaning up a broken CFL light bulb, such as removing pets, throwing out bedding and clothes, cleaning rugs...

I've dropped at least 10 thermometers in my lifetime... I'm off to research the 'symptoms' of Mercury poisoning... I've never had a heavy metal screening... I'll let you know if anything interesting pops up...


http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

[Chico]

Most lights not  incandescent cause me some kind of problem. Always have.  From eyestrain to migraines to feeling physically nauseous. Have restaurants/stores/meeting rooms where I don't go anymore because of the aggravating lighting.
Last Christmas each household locally got two "free" CFC lights from the power company @ $1.00 increase a month. Raised quite an uproar.
Many residents were afraid to use them because of worries about breakage around pets and children and other mecury warnings.  The lights themselves not bright enough for anything but nightlights. I fear most ended up well hidden in the landfill. Needless to say the utility had to undo the charge.
Just hope they don't force these things on us.

Chico

[Calli66]

Some of the discount CF bulbs really have a poor quality and color of light. I have one that just takes forever to warm up.

I don't like the light very much, but still I use them in various places in order to save energy---they do help---I've noticed the difference in my electric bills.

I use them in the laundry room, where I don't stay very long, and have found that they are tolerable in a desk lamp, floor lamp, or sconce, just as long as I have a warm colored paper or opaque shade to change the color of the light. I like the Japanese paper style off-white shade, and the darker kraft paper conical shade. I have orangey glass shades on my wall sconces---with the light aimed upward onto to wall. And CF's are good for shielded porch lights.

I've read that they emit more blue light, which can even be detrimental to people with macular degeneration. Amber light and incandescent are safer, and make it easier to see things if you have any macular problems, which I have. I love my halogen spots on tracks in my kitchen---I can see so much better under them.

I don't think LED lights are that good---yet. But they're inventing improvements every day----they're really energy efficient.

Calli

[Seeker]

Howdy all, the standard white fluorescent light bulb is hard on the eyes.  Part of the problem is that in the US we use 60Hz power.  That frequency can cause the eyes to go bonkers.  However there is not enough mercury in fluorescent bulbs to be toxic.  Unless you break a whole case of them in a enclosed room.  The old incandescent light bulbs pose there own problems.  They produce a lot of heat and the lead on the bottom of the bulb is considered hazmat.  In fact at work we can't throw a burnt out light bulb in the common trash.  I has to go in the lead waste container.


Seeker

[Epson]

I have seen some great LED lights, but very expensive right now.  The only thing more expensive is home fiber optics right now.

[irish]

I must be one of the few that have a flourescent light in my kitchen. I have the kind with 2 four foot bulbs in it. We are in the habit of just leaving the stove hood light on now. I think they are the LED cause the 2 bulbs are expensive. I love the soft light they give and makes for a cozy kitchen to cook and wash dishes.

I have recessed 4 foot flourescent light in my basement also and can't say that the light bothers me. There are covers on them that sort of filter the light so maybe that helps. Am I wrong, as I am under the impression that the lights in the stores don't have filtered covers on them or no covers at all. That may make a difference. Irish

[kathyl]

In my room at work I have brought in lamps and refuse to turn on the overhead florescent lights.  As with sunlight they make me sick.  I get dizzy and can end up with a migraine in a short time. 
KL