Differences
+ Given the same amount of visible light, CFLs use about 1/3 power and thus have an extended lifespan between 8 and 15 times more. CFLs typically have a rated lifespan of between 6,000 and 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured to have a lifespan of 750 hours or 1,000 hours.
However, the life of a CFL is significantly shorter if it is turned on and off frequently. It is suggested to leave the CFL on when leaving a room for less than 15 minutes to mitigate this problem.
+ CFLs produce less light later in their lives than when they are new. The light output decay is exponential, with the fastest losses being soon after the lamp is first used. By the end of their lives, CFLs can only produce 70–80% of their original light output.
+ Incandescent reaches full brightness a fraction of a second after being switched on. CFLs turn on within a second, but most available on the shelves still take time about a minute to warm up to full brightness.
+ Only some CFLs are labeled for dimming control. Using regular CFLs with a dimmer is ineffective at dimming, can shorten bulb life and will void the warranty of certain manufacturers. Hence, there is a need for the dimmer switch used in conjunction with a dimmable CFL to be matched to its power consumption range.
+ CFLs can damage paintings and textiles which have light-sensitive dyes and pigments. Strong colours will tend to fade on exposure to UV light. Shielding these items when placed near the bulbs for a long period of time is necessary.
+ CFLs are sold at higher prices but can save much on electricity bills.
Now the danger part to look out….
Like all fluorescent lamps, CFLs contain mercury as vapor inside the glass tubing, which complicates their disposal. Most CFLs contain 3–5 mg per bulb, with the eco-friendly bulbs containing as little as 1 mg. As mercury is poisonous in nature, even tiny quantities are a concern for landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution.
China, being the manufacturing powerhouse in the world is well known for low production costs and thus able to make CFLs more affordable. However, in the past decade, hundreds of Chinese factory workers who manufacture CFLs for export to first world countries were being poisoned and hospitalized due to mercury exposure. A case in Nanhai Feiyang lighting factory in Foshan saw 68 out of 72 so badly poisoned that they required hospitalization. At another CFL factory in Jinzhou, 121 out of 123 employees were found to have excessive mercury levels, with one employee’s mercury level 150 times the accepted standard.
Researchers in USA were unable to remove mercury from carpet, and agitation of the carpet — such as by young children playing — created localized concentrations as high as 25,000 ng/m3 in air close to the carpet, even weeks after the initial breakage.
Precautionary steps to adopt when bulbs are broken:
* Everyone in the room has to be evacuated from the room within 15 minutes. Mercury contamination can cause migraine, disorientation, imbalances and allergies or severe skin conditions by touching this substance or inhaled. Make sure no one steps on the shards of glass littering the floor.
* Do not clean the debris of the broken bulb with a vacuum cleaner because the remnants may remain and spread to the other areas when used again. Instead, wear a rubber glove and use a normal broom or brush to clean up is good enough. Try not to inhale dust from the broken bulb. Put it in a seal bag and dispose off from the house.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp
Latest findings:
A group of 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. Advice is not to leave the bulbs on for extended periods, particularly in unventilated areas and near someone’s head.
Also latest report released by Abraham Haim, a professor of biology at Haifa University in Israel, that the bulbs could result in higher breast cancer rates if used late at night. He explained that the bluer light that CFLs emitted closely mimicked daylight, disrupting the body’s production of the hormone melatonin more than older-style filament bulbs, which cast a yellower light.
The Migraine Action Association has warned that they could trigger migraines and skin care specialists have claimed that their intense light could exacerbate a range of existing skin problems.
The bulbs are already widely used in the UK following EU direction to phase out traditional incandescent lighting by the end of this year. The British experts insisted that more research was needed and urged consumers not to panic.
You decide?
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8462626/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-contain-cancer-causing-chemicals.html (dated 20-4-2011)
Useful tips
Apply unwanted perfumes with cotton balls on light bulb. You will be amazed to see when light up it emits a warming sensation filled with aroma.
