PSA: If you're using CFLs, read this.

[sixone]

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/01/02/study-eco-friendly-light-bulbs-may-put-health-at-risk/

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.

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.

 

[techs]

Wait a minute. Big corporations have spent billions of dollars researching and manufacturing cfl's. You mean to say they never tested them?

 

[sixone]

Wait a minute. Big corporations have spent billions of dollars researching and manufacturing cfl's. You mean to say they never tested them?

That would be pure speculation.

What testing did our friends at the EPA do, before they tried to ban incandescents?

 

[Gibsons]

Good think lampshades are so cheap.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I have never received a sunburn from sitting in my office.

 

[sixone]

I have never received a sunburn from sitting in my office.

You don't have to get a sunburn, in order to have skin damage from ultra-violet light.

 

[SunnyD]

In other news, the sun gives off huge amounts of UV radiation. Quick, we need to ban the sun!

 

[sixone]

In other news, the sun gives off huge amounts of UV radiation. Quick, we need to ban the sun!

Pffft...no one here goes outside.

Silly man.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Pffft...no one here goes outside.

Silly man.

Which is why I need to tan in my office.

 

[jagec]

Bit of a "meh" on the cell culture results, but the UV measurements were a little alarming. Another advantage to LEDs I guess...

 

[SunnyD]

Pffft...no one here goes outside.

Silly man.

Then this UV exposure from CFLs is beneficial. How else are we supposed to produce melanin?

 

[SaurusX]

Bit of a "meh" on the cell culture results, but the UV measurements were a little alarming. Another advantage to LEDs I guess...

Didn't you hear? LED's now give you AIDS.

 

[Nintendesert]

That would be pure speculation.

What testing did our friends at the EPA do, before they tried to ban incandescents?

Damn, Techs just got stomped on.

 

[sixone]

Then this UV exposure from CFLs is beneficial. How else are we supposed to produce melanin?

How do you plan to control your exposure?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

You'll be fine if you have anything at all that covers them and don't stare at one at point blank range for hours on end. Radiation of that level dissipates extremely quickly.

 

[sixone]

Damn, Techs just got stomped on.

The word you're looking for is "sixowned".

 

[techs]

That would be pure speculation.

What testing did our friends at the EPA do, before they tried to ban incandescents?

Damn, Techs just got stomped on.

But, but there shouldn't even be an EPA. Which is why their budget is one of the few things that has been cut.

Just avoided the stomping....

 

[Kaido]

Then this UV exposure from CFLs is beneficial. How else are we supposed to produce melanin?

I paid extra for the CFL's that produce midichlorian. Very beneficial, although if you get a tan you turn to the dark side

 

[disappoint]

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.

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.

You can always tell a scientist from a layman. Or a journalist trying to sound like a scientist, but failing miserably.

Quantitative analysis. Where is the data telling us HOW MUCH UV radiation a typical bulb exposes you to? Not one NUMBER in the whole friggin article. NOT ONE.

Are people so stupid and afraid of math now that if you write an article with EVEN ONE NUMBER IN IT people will run screaming for their mommies to hold them because the evil scientists are trying to hurt their puny minds?

Yes I read the whole article and not just the quote.

So sad.

The compact fluorescent industry claims that the bulbs are safe, but admitted that they emit ultraviolet rays. The industry released a statement that said “the levels of UV radiation emitted are acceptably low,” and that they are safe under normal use.

So who do we believe? The self serving CFL industry who also fails to post any data (well it's not their fault but the writer of the article in question). Or the sensationalist media that uses scare tactics to get you interested in their vapid articles so they can sell you ads for junk you don't need?

Oh by the way OP you forgot to quote the counterpoint but at least you linked to the actual article even though it left me disappointed.

 

[amdhunter]

I knew somewhere in that video someone would be like: The kids, somebody think of the kids!!!!OMG!

No better way to sell sensationalist dangerous propaganda than using the children twist...

 

[Jaskalas]

In other news, the sun gives off huge amounts of UV radiation. Quick, we need to ban the sun!

Sun gives off radiation, let's go play with some grains of plutonium, what could possibly go wrong?!

 

[sixone]

But, but there shouldn't even be an EPA. Which is why their budget is one of the few things that has been cut.

Just avoided the stomping....

Hardly. Their stance on incandescents was in place long before their budget was cut.

The P in their name should stand for "political", not "protection".

 

[Kaido]

The compact fluorescent industry claims that the bulbs are safe, but admitted that they emit ultraviolet rays. The industry released a statement that said “the levels of UV radiation emitted are acceptably low,” and that they are safe under normal use.

It's a good thing we don't have crazy devices like microwaves in our homes. Or Wi-fi. Or cell phones. Or IR remote controls. Or cordless house phones. Or wireless baby monitors.

Oh dear, Kuato just popped out of my stomach

 

[SandEagle]

there are 2 conspiracy theories here:
1) govment wants you to get sick. pump money into health care costs. support big pharma and med cartel.
2) planned obsolecence
3) why couldn't we have options? i'd take old fashioned lightbulbs over cfls any day

 

[sixone]

You can always tell a scientist from a layman. Or a journalist trying to sound like a scientist, but failing miserably.

Quantitative analysis. Where is the data telling us HOW MUCH UV radiation a typical bulb exposes you to? Not one NUMBER in the whole friggin article. NOT ONE.

Did you click on the link in the article, which takes you to the university website, which provides you with a link to the actual study?