Energy Efficient light bulbs are poisoning us

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 17 Sep 2010, 12:52

Interesting video I've come across on Facebook. I don't know where non Facebook users will be able to see it, and haven't got time to search at the moment.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=425444185921

I'm interested to hear the views of anyone who knows what they're talking about.

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 17 Sep 2010, 13:35

You have to log into facebook to see it.

That is a rather worrying video as I use CFLs throughout my house and have done for many years

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 17 Sep 2010, 13:52

We discussed the mercury issue a while back a came to the conclusion that more mercury is emitted in the flue gasses of coal fired power stations used to power incandescents.

Risks associated with EMF always seem to be shrouded in a fog of not-very-good-science.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 17 Sep 2010, 13:54

snow hope wrote:You have to log into facebook to see it.

It's a good way to find out which PowerSwitchers are on Facebook

.

Post by **adam2** » 17 Sep 2010, 15:08

biffvernon wrote:We discussed the mercury issue a while back a came to the conclusion that more mercury is emitted in the flue gasses of coal fired power stations used to power incandescents.

Risks associated with EMF always seem to be shrouded in a fog of not-very-good-science.

Agree, the burning of coal releases mercury into the enviroment, and a fair bit of our electricity still comes from coal.
The mercury in a flourescent lamp presents no risk whatsoever to the user provided that it remains unbroken. If a lamp is broken then the mercury is released into the enviroment, which is undesireable but still less than the amount released by burning coal to power an incandescent lamp.
If a flourescent lamp is broken in a confined area, then it might be prudent to ventilate the area.
Failed but physicly intact flourescent lamps should if possible be recycled in order that the mercury may be reclaimed.
If the lamp has been broken then recycling is rather pointless since the mercury has already escaped.
The amount of mercury that could escape into the enviroment may be minimised by useing lamps from reputable suppliers, since these last longer.
Mercury is a long term cumalative poision, the risks are mainly to those who use it daily in a workplace, not the rare breakage of a lamp.

Virtually all electrical equipment, including house wiring emits electromagnetic radiation. The use of CFLs arguably reduces the total radiation since it reduces the current in the wireing.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 17 Sep 2010, 15:33

I remember playing with mercury as a kid. Great fun.

Post by **adam2** » 17 Sep 2010, 15:47

emordnilap wrote:I remember playing with mercury as a kid. Great fun.

Yes, and not really that dangerous unless you do it every day for years.

nexus · Post by **nexus** » 17 Sep 2010, 16:37

It's a good way to find out which PowerSwitchers are on Facebook Wink

asks John B

Ahhh facebook- have a look at this infographic about facebook, google, apple and privacy http://www.focus.com/images/view/25985/

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 17 Sep 2010, 16:56

I'm on facebook. I don't care much about privacy except in my bathroom. Google can't get me there (yet).

Anybody want to be my friend?

nnnnnn · Post by **nnnnnn** » 17 Sep 2010, 17:10

Pretty much anything electronic emits emf.I'm sure she'll be ditching her pc, mobile phones, microwave, tv, radio etc right away.

I bet the reading from that laptop charger for the laptop she was using emitted 10 times what those cfl's emit...

Post by **adam2** » 17 Sep 2010, 17:46

Junkie wrote:Pretty much anything electronic emits emf.I'm sure she'll be ditching her pc, mobile phones, microwave, tv, radio etc right away.

I bet the reading from that laptop charger for the laptop she was using emitted 10 times what those cfl's emit...

Agree entirely.
The only way to avoid E.M.F.s is to use DC from a battery, charged by PV, or a dynamo.
No modern flourescent lights, incandescent only or LED via dropper resistors.
No loads with modern electronics in them.
Probably easier to go back to candles, and horses or steam engines for power.

the mad cyclist · Post by **the mad cyclist** » 17 Sep 2010, 18:24

I wouldn’t dismiss this completely. What they are talking about is CFLs emitting electromagnetic radiation at a lot higher frequency than main frequency. Whether this is detrimental to heath is different matter, especially since any radiation falls off very quickly with distance.
I’m never happy about using them close up, example as a reading light.
The next health scare will be the light spectrum given off by LEDs.
Try Googling dirty electricity.

Post by **adam2** » 17 Sep 2010, 18:45

Modern flourescent lamps do indeed emit electromagnetic radiation at very high frequencies, as do increasing numbers of other appliances.
Anything with a switched mode power supply for example.

I dont believe that there is any significant danger, though others have different views.

The health scare re the spectrum emitted by LEDs has already started ! it is alleged that the blue/violet wavelengths emitted are dangerous and cause cataracts and other eye damage.
This is probably true to an extent, but the levels are far less than in "healthy" natural daylight under which we evolved.

There is a considerable market for special flourescent lamps that give a bluer light, like daylight.
I wonder how many people use them for the alleged health benifits, whilst complaining about the menace of blue light content from LEDs.

revdode · Post by **revdode** » 17 Sep 2010, 19:59

Don't forget a lot of new LED tech uses digital power supplies. More EMF! Break out the tinfoil hats

Seriously though the regulations around luminaires were changed this year, there used to be some exceptions on EMC standard but no more. It was a nightmare.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 17 Sep 2010, 20:08

nexus wrote:Ahhh facebook- have a look at this infographic about facebook, google, apple and privacy http://www.focus.com/images/view/25985/

I don't think anyone will find out much about me they can't read openly on PowerSwitch! I block a lot of adverts, and anyone trying to sell me things online is usually wasting their time. I find Facebook fantastic for keeping in touch with like minded people, and sharing useful information. I seem to have all the right type of friends, and none of the wrong ones!

I've no idea what Biff gets up to in his bathroom, even though we are Facebook friends

.