ot? CFLs : Can Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs Damage Skin? Scientific American

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Can Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs Damage Skin?

A new study suggests that certain types of the energy-saving

lightbulbs can become damaged and then may hurt skin cells

By Umair Irfan and ClimateWire | July 25, 2012 |

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-compact-fluorescent-lightbu\

lbs-damage-skin

The curlicue compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) oft touted as an

Earth-friendly alternative to standard incandescent bulbs may cause skin

damage, according to a new study by researchers at Stony Brook University.

The bulbs are already known to pose hazards from using mercury, a toxic

element, though in very small quantities, as lighting manufacturers are

quick to point out. Regulations in parts of the United States and in the

European Union limit mercury to 3.5 milligrams per bulb, with the limit

dropping to 2.5 mg next year.

Now researchers have found that ultraviolet radiation seeping through

CFLs may damage skin cells....

Under CFLs, the experiments showed cells stopped growing and changed

shape. Dermal fibroblasts suffered worse than keratinocytes, since they

are usually not exposed to light. This indicates these bulbs can damage

skin in several layers.

Rafailovich explained that at close range, around a foot or so, CFL

exposure is " the equivalent of sunbathing at the equator. " This may not

be cause for alarm for those who have CFLs mounted in ceiling fixtures,

but it should be a concern with desk or table lamps. The researchers

recommend avoiding CFLs at close range and placing them behind glass

barriers or enclosures....

However, there are alternatives in energy-efficient lighting now that

LEDs are dropping in price and manufacturers are making more efficient

versions of incandescents.

" LED and incandescent light bulbs have no emission in UV range;

therefore, they do not pose any risk, " said Tatsiana Mironava, one of

the report's co-authors and adjunct faculty in the Department of

Chemical and Molecular Engineering at Stony Brook, in an email....