What are the health implications of low energy flourescent light bulbs?

Question

We have them all over the house and they seem to be causing us eyestrain and headaches. Are there any low energy alternatives?

Answer 1

some people may be sensitive to a strobe effect also they do I believe give off radio frequency waves try holding a radio on the medium wave band at various distances to light tune the radio off the station to pick up the natural background electronic noise then compare when the light is switched off, also a perhaps greater concern is a small quantity of (highly poisonous) mercury is present in the makeup of these bulbs the advice is if the bulb breaks dont use the vacumcleaner to pick the debris up because their is a real risk that the mercury fumes will be discharged in to the air you breath. the mad hatter non green logic behind the acceptance of these risks with mercury poss arriving in your house and defiantly eventually on a land fill site near you, is that coal fired powerstations give off decent amounts of mercury in the burning process and therefor because you are now burning less coal at the power station with your new bulb the net release of mercury to the atmosphere is less when it ends up at the land fill. but if it breaks before you can get it to the land fill then you pay the health price. I remember reading an article about someone who accidentally broke a mercury thermometer and rang the council for advice, they came and moved him out of his home and had it proffesionaly cleaned due to public health issues,I think they billed the home owner. hope the above is of some use I am currently researching led,s but the market has not yet developed the right product even so there could be some issues not sure. Mike

Answer 2

Only when you breath in the inside coating of the tube. dispose carefully. try low voltage halogen, but pay a bit extra son you can dim them