| fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the light bulb of choice | | | | 5. CFLs Don't Look Natural |
| for saving energy and money on utilities. No one | | | | Fluorescent lights normally give off blue-tinted |
| doubts that CFLs use three or four times less energy | | | | cool light, while incandescent bulbs give off a |
| than traditional bulbs, and many people have | | | | yellowish warm light. Some people may not |
| significantly reduced their electric bills by switching to | | | | like the cooler atmosphere of CFL bulbs, but |
| them. | | | | manufacturers now offer CFLs in a range of colors |
| But there are seven situations where CFLs might not | | | | from warm to cool. |
| be the best option. | | | | CFLs also don't show objects in their true colors. |
| 1. CFLs Could INCREASE Mercury Emissions | | | | Light bulbs are graded by their color-rendering index |
| One of the biggest reasons to buy CFLs is that by | | | | (CRI), with a grade of 100 being the color an object |
| using less energy, they reduce mercury emissions | | | | appears in daylight. Incandescent bulbs have a CRI |
| from power plants. However, CFLs contain small | | | | near 100, but CFLs are usually graded around 85. |
| amounts of mercury, a highly toxic poison. | | | | 6. CFLs Can Cause Skin Problems |
| By law, used CFLs must either be recycled or taken | | | | All CFLs give off some ultraviolet light. Even healthy |
| to an approved hazardous waste disposal site. | | | | people should avoid too much exposure to UV, but |
| Unfortunately, about three out of four CFLs still end | | | | for those who are photo-sensitive, such as Lupus |
| up in landfills. | | | | patients, it can cause a severe skin rash. |
| One report by Yale University researchers concluded | | | | To prevent such problems, the U.K. Health Protection |
| that, depending on where you live, CFLs may actually | | | | Agency recommends using only CFLs with an extra |
| increase the total amount of mercury released into | | | | layer of glass covering the twisty tubes inside. |
| the environment. Because power plants use different | | | | Otherwise, the study recommends not using CFL |
| fuel sources, locations with cleaner fuels could release | | | | bulbs in reading lamps or other light fixtures any |
| less mercury. Meanwhile, in places with few recycling | | | | closer than one foot away for more than one hour. |
| options, mercury leaked into the soil and water from | | | | 7. CFLs Give Off EMFs |
| CFLs tossed into landfills could actually surpass the | | | | Like cell phones and laptops, CFLs give off electric |
| amount saved by using less power. | | | | and magnetic fields (EMFs). Many studies have been |
| Many hardware stores and local disposal sites now | | | | done on the health effects of EMFs, and most report |
| accept CFLs for recycling, and some companies sell | | | | that the levels given off by electronics, wireless |
| pre-paid shipping boxes addressed to recycling plants. | | | | networks and power lines are safe. |
| 2. CFLs Could Endanger Small Children | | | | No research has shown that EMFs from CFLs have |
| Although the amount of mercury in a CFL is much | | | | an adverse impact on the majority of people. |
| less than that in a can of tuna, the U.S. EPA | | | | However, Professor Magda Havas, of Trent |
| recommends special steps to follow for cleanup. | | | | University in Toronto, connects CFLs with migraine |
| These steps include airing out the room for 15 | | | | headaches, burning eyes, digestive problems, heart |
| minutes, putting all debris and cleaning materials into a | | | | palpitations, immune system problems, diabetes and |
| sealed container, and avoiding brooms or vacuum | | | | even multiple sclerosis. |
| cleaners, which might stir mercury into the air. | | | | These symptoms, called Electrical Hypersensitivity |
| In addition, the Maine Department of Environmental | | | | (EHS), may affect about three percent of the |
| Protection recommends disposing of the carpet, rug | | | | population. |
| or bedspread on which a CFL breaks. It also suggests | | | | Alternatives to CFLs |
| that CFLs might not be appropriate in rooms used by | | | | In situations where CFLs don't make sense, there are |
| infants, small children or pregnant women, who are | | | | alternatives. Although still expensive, light-emitting |
| more susceptible to mercury poisoning. | | | | diode (LED) bulbs can be found in some standard bulb |
| 3. CFLs Don’t Dim | | | | shapes. LED bulbs don't yet give off much light, but |
| Many homes contain dimmer switches, which save | | | | manufacturers are hard at work to improve their |
| energy by reducing the amount of power needed for | | | | brightness. |
| lighting. But most CFLs do not work on dimmers, and | | | | LED bulbs contain no mercury and they are about as |
| using them may actually damage this kind of switch. | | | | efficient as CFLs. They have the potential to become |
| Some CFLs are made to work on dimmer switches, | | | | even more efficient as LED technology improves. |
| but they are more expensive and they don't dim | | | | Energy Saver Halogen Bulbs |
| smoothly. | | | | Some manufacturers are marketing energy saver |
| 4. CFLs Can’t Stand the Cold | | | | halogen bulbs, which are about 25 to 30 percent |
| CFLs don't work well in cold weather. They take a | | | | more efficient than standard bulbs. Halogen |
| long time to warm up to full power in garages, | | | | technology is an improved version of incandescent |
| porches and outdoor light fixtures. CFLs are often | | | | lighting. |
| labeled with their lowest operating temperature, and | | | | Halogen bulbs cost more than regular bulbs but they |
| some are made especially for cold locations. | | | | last longer. They need to be handled more carefully |
| CFLs may save less energy in cold climates because | | | | because they get very hot, and they should not be |
| they don't produce heat. According to a study by the | | | | used if the outer glass coating is scratched. |
| Canadian Centre for Housing Technology, houses | | | | Energy saver halogen bulbs give off a bright, clear |
| with only five CFLs replacing incandescent bulbs will | | | | light. They are fully dimmable, contain no mercury, |
| have an increase in energy costs for heating. | | | | don't flicker and don't give off EMFs. |
| Although they do have a positive effect on total | | | | Substituting a 40-watt energy saver halogen bulb for |
| energy use throughout the year, lighting savings with | | | | a 60-watt incandescent bulb gives the same amount |
| CFLs are reduced because of the extra amount of | | | | of light for one-third less energy. |
| power needed for heating. | | | | |