Energy saving light bulbs 'contain cancer causing chemicals' - Telegraph
Energy saving light bulbs 'contain cancer causing chemicals'
Fears have been reignited about the safety of energy saving light bulbs after a group of scientists warned that they contain cancer causing chemicals.
Their report advises that the bulbs should not be left on for extended periods, particularly near someone’s head, as they emit poisonous materials when switched on.
Peter Braun, who carried out the tests at the Berlin's Alab Laboratory, said: “For such carcinogenic substances it is important they are kept as far away as possible from the human environment.”
The bulbs are already widely used in the UK following EU direction to phase out traditional incandescent lighting by the end of this year.
But the German scientists claimed that several carcinogenic chemicals and toxins were released when the environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were switched on, including phenol, naphthalene and styrene.
Andreas Kirchner, of the Federation of German Engineers, said: “Electrical smog develops around these lamps.
Mercury in CFL: 5. Do environmental benefits of compact fluorescent lamps outweigh potential risks?
On the one hand, CFLs consume less electricity than conventional household lamps so they offer some clear benefits in that they lead to lower emissions of mercury, greenhouse gases and other pollutants from power plants. On the other hand, CFLs contain mercury which is a hazardous substance so there is a potential health risk in the mercury released from lamps that break accidentally in the consumer’s home or after they have been thrown with the general refuse. It is very difficult to weigh benefits against these potential risks and determine the relative importance of these different aspects: effects of greenhouse gases on global warming, mercury released to the environment and potential effects on human health.
Mercury in CFL: 5. Do environmental benefits of compact fluorescent lamps outweigh potential risks?
On the one hand, CFLs consume less electricity than conventional household lamps so they offer some clear benefits in that they lead to lower emissions of mercury, greenhouse gases and other pollutants from power plants. On the other hand, CFLs contain mercury which is a hazardous substance so there is a potential health risk in the mercury released from lamps that break accidentally in the consumer’s home or after they have been thrown with the general refuse. It is very difficult to weigh benefits against these potential risks and determine the relative importance of these different aspects: effects of greenhouse gases on global warming, mercury released to the environment and potential effects on human health.
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