Continuing on from the last post in this series on CFL’s.

In Part 2 of this article I covered the safe alternatives to CFL’s; in particular the highly efficient LED lamps. I also introduced solutions to the issue of “dirty electricity” in the home environment.

Because there are such a wide range of adverse health effects that are reportedly linked to the use of CFL’s, I felt this issue warranted a section on its own.

Could CFL’s REALLY
be making you sick?

You just might find the answers to your problem in this report.

Do you suffer from any of the following?

nausea,          dizzy spells,          joint pain,
blurry vision,          anxiety,          eye pain,  
headaches,          migraine,          or skin rashes?

The symptoms listed here are among many reported by consumers who claimed that CFL’s were the cause of their problems. They reported that often dramatic symptom relief occurred when CFL’s were removed.

Earlier this month a Canadian investigative TV series “16:9 The Bigger Picture“ published a story of their continued investigation into the possible dangers of using those curly fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s).

After 2 years of demanding answers from Health Canada (Canada’s equivalent of the FDA), and other research and health officials abroad, the “16:9″ Team have compiled some startling information that we all should be aware of.

Their recent 2-part television series entitled “Shedding Some Light” addressed two main areas of concern.

                    1. UV Radiation
                         2. Electro-magnetic Emissions

Part 1 – Shedding Some Light: (8min 20sec)

Instructions To view Part 1 of the 2-part television series. Click on the 16:9 image (opposite). A new window will open and the video will start after a 30 second commercial. 

Summary of Part 1.
(UV Radiation)

FINALLY, the test results from Health Canada are in. They declared that CFL’s were SAFE. However, according to the “16:9″ report, Health Canada also WARNED to keep at least 30cm away from the CFL light source due to the UV radiation. The results of the study were to be found on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Health Canada recommends
to limit CFL exposure to 3.3 hours

According to the “16:9″ program, the recommendation of Health Canada was to limit CFL exposure to 3.3 hours, as skin reddening may occur due to UV exposure. Their tests showed that 50 minutes of exposure to an exposed coil CFL at 3cm distance would equal the recommended daily UV exposure limits. CLICK HERE to view Health Canada’s The Safety of Compact Fluorescent Lamps page.

On that page, there is a statement that infers that people who have Lupus, other auto-immune disorders or skin sensitivities may have issues with the bulbs.

Tests Conducted in the United Kingdom: 
A UK health researcher stated that their tests had revealed that about 1 in 5 CFL bulbs  emitted “unusual levels of UV light” and they ALSO recommended that it was prudent to limit time exposure with CFL’s.

Covered, double-envelope CFL bulbs,
showed much lower levels of UV than the open curly bulb.

Summary of Part 2.
(Electromagnetic Emissions and Dirty Power Tests) 

Unlike the “old school” testing methods, Swiss researchers were commissioned to develop new techniques for more direct measurement of the affect of Electro-magnetic emissions upon the human body itself. Their claim is that this research provides the most extensive testing ever done on CFL’s.

Instructions To view Part 2 of the 2-part television series. Click on the video image (immediately below). A new window will open (as it did for Part 1,) but this time you need to click on the small video screen “Seg 2″ just below the main viewing screen. This will shift the video program to Part 2. (and, of course, more commercials to enjoy)

Part 2 – Shedding Some Light: (7min 24sec)

Rather than just measuring emissions in the air (like Health Canada did), the Swiss researchers measured what the EM emissions could do to the human body.

Dr. Mark Douglas stated that if the emissions were high enough they could stimulate nerves and muscles to the point it could cause problems. The severity of this would vary from person to person.

The Swiss researchers concluded that the emissions
from CFL Lamps COULD pose a health problem, even
though the lamps did meet International Guidelines.

Another researcher Magda Havas of Trent University (regarded as the leading researcher in the field) agrees with the Swiss researchers and feels that the International Standards are set too high and that is the reason why so many people are reporting adverse health issues with the bulbs.

CONCLUSIONS: At the very least, it has been acknowledged that “sensitive” people could experience adverse health effects. The only way to tell if CFL’s are implicated is to turn them off for a period of a few days and see if symptoms abate.

Dirty Electricity Video 

If you wish to view the more detailed report done by the “16:9″ Team in early 2009, click on the links below for Parts 1-3 of the series entitled “Dirty Electricity”   (the links will open in a new window).

      Dirty Electricity – Part 1 – Rays of Rash (CLICK HERE) 
       Dirty Electricity – Part 2 – Dirty Energy  (CLICK HERE) 
       Dirty Electricity – Part 3 – Reaction To The Rays (CLICK HERE) 
         
Part 4 of this Series is pulled in separately to this page as it deals specifically with locating concentrated points of Electro-magnetic pollution in your home environment. Perhaps you’ll be as shocked as the lady in the video whose house was being tested.

As more information surfaces on this topic I will post more, but for now, if you’ve read and watched everything in these three posts on the topic, you’re sure to be among the small percentage of people who are aware of this information. Tell your friends about this issue and send them to this blog.

Be Aware

As more and more new technologies are developed and rushed to market, it becomes increasingly harder for any regulatory bodies to keep pace with the complexities and subtleties of how they affect and interact with the delicate systems of the human body.

We simply cannot afford to assume everything is “safe”, just because it is available on the market. (”Caveat emptor” – Let The Buyer Beware).

I enjoy technology too, just like most people; there are lots of “pluses”, but it can be a “slippery slope” to some growing problems as this relatively small topic has uncovered.

Here is some ancient Chinese wisdom that I have found helpful to remember; “For every front, there is a back.”   For every “convenience” of modern life, there is a “flip side”; there is a “price” we have to pay for that convenience. The bottom line is this;

It’s simply prudent to BE AWARE of the cost 
before running up a “bill” that you cannot repay.