Are CFL Bulbs Safe?

Are CFL Bulbs Safe?

I read an article that said that "CFL bulbs emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation--UVC and UVA rays. Also, that "the UV rays are so strong that they can actually burn skin and skin cells". Further, the writer stated that "experts say the radiation could initiate cell death and cause skin cancer in its deadliest form."

Is this really true? It sounded too alarmist for me, so I decided to find out the truth. What I did find is that yes, there is some radiation but it is too small to contribute to skin cancer and the double enveloped glass casing of the bulbs helps to mitigate the radiation risk.

Second, there is mercury in CFL bulbs so careful disposal is important. Most people are not aware of the presence of mercury so they dump used CFL bulbs in the trash. There needs to be awareness of the proper way to dispose of used CFL bulbs.

Finally, I learned that CFL bulbs emit less heat than incandescent bulbs so in colder climates, we actually end up needing more heat from radiators to make up for the heat that we give up when we use CFL bulbs. That probably helps to partly explain why my electricity bill is still high in the winter even after replacing all my bulbs with CFLs. 

The conclusion is that CFL bulbs are relatively safe but need to be disposed off properly to reduce the risk of mercury being dumped in an unsafe manner.

Here is an extract regarding the health risk of CFLs from the Wikipedia page on Compact Flourescent Lamps:

Human health

Main article: Fluorescent lamps and health

"According to the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) in 2008, CFLs may pose an added health risk due to the ultraviolet and blue light emitted. This radiation could aggravate symptoms in people who already suffer skin conditions that make them exceptionally sensitive to light. The light produced by some single-envelope CFLs at distances of less than 20 cm could lead to ultraviolet exposures approaching the current workplace limit set to protect workers from skin and retinal damage. Industry sources claim the UV radiation received from CFLs is too small to contribute to skin cancer and the use of double-envelope CFLs "largely or entirely" mitigates any other risks.^[51]

A 2012 study comparing cellular health effects of CFL light and incandescent light found statistically significant cell damage in cultures exposed to CFL light. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of significant UVA and UVC radiation, which the study's authors conjectured was attributable to damage in the bulbs' internal phosphor coatings. No cellular damage was observed following exposure to incandescent light of equivalent intensity. The study's authors suggest that the ultraviolet exposure could be limited by the use of "double-walled" bulbs manufactured with an additional glass covering surrounding the phosphor-coated layer.^[52]

Environmental impact

Mercury content

Net mercury emissions for CFL and incandescent lamps, based on EPA FAQ sheet, assuming average U.S. emission of 0.012 mg of mercury per kilowatt-hour and 14% of CFL mercury contents escapes to environment after land fill disposal

CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain mercury^[53][54] as vapor inside the glass tubing. Most CFLs contain 3–5 mg per bulb, with the bulbs labeled "eco-friendly" containing as little as 1 mg.^[55][56] Because mercury is poisonous, even these small amounts are a concern for landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution. In the U.S., lighting manufacturer members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have voluntarily capped the amount of mercury used in CFLs.^[57] In the EU the same cap is required by the RoHS law.

In areas with coal-fired power stations, the use of CFLs saves on mercury emissions when compared to the use of incandescent bulbs. This is due to the reduced electrical power demand, reducing in turn the amount of mercury released by coal as it is burned.^[58][59] In July 2008 the U.S. EPA published a data sheet stating that the net system emission of mercury for CFL lighting was lower than for incandescent lighting of comparable lumen output. This was based on the average rate of mercury emission for U.S. electricity production and average estimated escape of mercury from a CFL put into a landfill.^[60] Coal-fired plants also emit other heavy metals, sulphur, and carbon dioxide.

In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that if all 270 million CFLs sold in 2007 were sent to landfill sites, around 0.13 metric tons of mercury would be released, 0.1% of all U.S. emissions of mercury (around 104 metric tons that year).^[61]

The EPA updated their mercury comparison graph in November 2010. The graph assumes that CFLs last an average of 8,000 hours regardless of manufacturer and premature breakage. In areas where coal is not used to produce energy, the content emissions would be less than the power plant emissions for both types of bulb.^[62]"

Read more -- Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.

Dr. Amen -- Healthy Shortcuts to Better Brain & Body Health

Dr. Daniel Amen is one of my favorite sources of information on Brain Health. He started to espouse the notion that brain disorders can be mitigated through lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplements and exercise long before it became fashionable for the medical establishment to embrace this approach. He has been at the fore front of the movement to help people with brain injuries and brain disorders to live more productive lives. The article below is his latest web posting on brain health.

Healthy Shortcuts to Better Brain & Body Health

Posted on October 9, 2012 by AmenClinics

Every day we’re bombarded by family, friends, doctors and talk show health experts telling us about the newest and latest info that will change our lives and make us healthier and happier.  We’re told everything from: stop eating artificial sweeteners, eat wild fish three times a week, do yoga, take a multi-vitamin, sleep eight hours a night, walk 10,000 steps a day.  The list goes on and on, and it’s virtually impossible to do everything, every day and perfectly.

As healthy as we all want to be, life has its challenges and there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.  Below is a list of ways to do “good for you” things.  There are 10 easy shortcuts that will keep you healthy and not take up a lot of your time.

1. Eat breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day.  It speeds up your metabolism and gives you the energy you need.  Shortcut:  Keep a dozen of boiled eggs in the refrigerator, spread almond butter on a piece of Ezekiel toast, eat low-fat plain yogurt with thawed frozen berries and a sprinkle of stevia, have a piece of fruit with 10 raw almonds. 
2. Eat more fruits and veggies. They are a key part of our everyday diet.  Everyone needs 5 to 9 daily servings for the nutrients they contain and for general health.  Shortcut:  Cut up fruit and veggies and put in zip lock baggies for easy on-the-go snacks, keep your kitchen counter fruit bowl always full, add more veggies to salads, and make a pot of vegetable soup in the crockpot on Sunday for easy during the week meals.
   
3. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Water is vital for maintaining body functions and is essential for health.  Shortcut:  Drink one glass of water every time you walk into the kitchen, drink from a straw- you automatically drink more, keep bottled water in your car, eat high water content fruits and veggies.
   
4. Fish. Is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, and can reduce some problems associated with PMS, memory loss, cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and stroke. Shortcut:  Buy canned fish with an easy to pop lid or in a packet, buy sardines (very affordable), eat foods like walnuts, flax seeds and chia seeds that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
   
5. Cardio exercise.  Research shows that cardiovascular exercise fitness helps protect against heart disease.  As fitness increases, the incidence goes down.  Shortcut:  Instead of committing to 30 minutes at one time, take three 10-minute brisk walks each day.  Devote 10 minutes at lunch, 10 minutes in the afternoon and 10 minutes before or after dinner.

Source -- read more: http://www.amenclinics.com/?p=6121&option=com_wordpress&Itemid=204



Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not  been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.

Optimal Phytosterol Source

Optimal Phytosterol Source

Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not  been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.

Fortifying Your Memory With Supplements

Continuing the theme of Brain Health, here is an article from WebMD that summarizes the various supplements that are known to improve brain health and some that may need further research. As usual, please discuss with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Fortifying Your Memory With Supplements

As we age, we all want to avoid memory loss. Can supplements like ginkgo and ginseng help?

WebMD Feature

By Annie Stuart

Reviewed By David Kiefer, MD

Memory loss worries many of us as we get older. You might wonder whether you'll become one of the 10 million baby boomers who develops Alzheimer's disease. Or, maybe you're simply seeking ways to fortify your memory with memory supplements, memory vitamins, or memory games.

Will these brain boosters really help our memory? WebMD talked with the experts to find out whether -- and which -- memory enhancers really work.

(Note: if you suspect you or someone you love may have Alzheimer's, it's important to seek medical advice.)

The Need for Memory Enhancers

Finding new ways to slow memory loss could produce astounding results. For example, if the onset of Alzheimer's could be delayed in today's population by an average of just one year, there would be about 210,000 fewer people with Alzheimer's 10 years from now. And that would produce a cost savings of $10 billion.

"The problem with prescription drugs is that they're extremely expensive and often have limited effectiveness during a short window of time," says Evangeline Lausier, MD, assistant clinical professor in medicine, Duke Integrative Medicine, Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

Memory Supplements With Potential

Although there are a variety of "brain boosters" on the market -- many chockfull of multiple substances -- most are lacking research to support their memory-enhancing claims.
Ginkgo biloba is one that shows more promise than many others and is commonly used in Europe for a type of dementia resulting from reduced blood flow, Lausier says. "Ginkgo biloba tends to improve blood flow in small vessels."

 "A couple of meta-analyses and systematic reviews show that ginkgo biloba is helpful for dementia in about the same range as drugs being pushed very heavily to treat Alzheimer's," says Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, an associate professor in the complementary and alternative medicine Master's program of the department of physiology and biophysics at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Unfortunately, that's not all that successful, she adds. Ginkgo doesn’t seem to help prevent dementia. But in people who already have dementia, it may either improve symptoms or stabilize symptoms so that they don’t get worse. In addition, some but not all studies show benefits in mood, alertness, and mental ability in healthy people who take ginkgo. More research needs to be done to be certain about these effects.

Here are a few other memory supplements that may also have some potential, but require much more study:

• Omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fish oil supplements have piqued great interest. Studies suggest that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acid from foods such as cold-water fish, plant and nut oils, and English walnuts are strongly linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's. However, thorough studies comparing omega-3s to placebo are needed to prove this memory benefit from supplements.
• Huperzine A. Also known as Chinese club moss, this natural medicine works in a similar way as Alzheimer's drugs. But more evidence is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
• Acetyl-L-carnitine. Some studies suggest that this amino acid might help Alzheimer's patients with memory problems. It may provide a greater benefit to people with early onset and a fast rate of the disease.
• Vitamin E. Although vitamin E apparently doesn't decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's, it may slow its progression. Recent studies have raised concerns about an increased risk of deaths in unhealthy people who take high doses of vitamin E, so be sure to consult with your doctor before taking this supplement.
• Asian (or Panax) ginseng. An herb that's sometimes used with ginkgo biloba, Asian ginseng may help with fatigue and quality of life, Fugh-Berman tells WebMD. But any benefit for memory, she says, has shown up mostly in a small group or subset of study participants.

Source -- read more:  http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/fortifying-your-memory-with-supplements


 Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not  been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.

Eat Smart for a Healthier Brain

A friend who is experiencing age-related short-term memory problems asked recently what foods are good for brain health. I researched WebMD and it has the following summary. Some of the foods such as blueberries can only be found in Western countries but one can find local substitutes wherever one resides.

Eat Smart for a Healthier Brain

Add these 'superfoods' to your daily diet, and you will increase your odds of maintaining a healthy brain for the rest of your life.

By Carol Sorgen
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

There's no denying that as we age chronologically, our body ages right along with us. But research is showing that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain well into your old age if you add these "smart" foods to your daily eating regimen.

Blueberries. "Brainberries" is what Steven Pratt, MD, author of Superfoods Rx: Fourteen Foods Proven to Change Your Life, calls these tasty fruits. Pratt, who is also on staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., says that in animal studies researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Studies have also shown that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging rats, making them mentally equivalent to much younger rats. Ann Kulze, MD, author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet: A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss & Lifelong Vitality, recommends adding at least 1 cup of blueberries a day in any form -- fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried.

Wild salmon. Deep-water fish, such as salmon, are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for brain function, says Kulze. Both she and Pratt recommend wild salmon for its "cleanliness" and the fact that it is in plentiful supply. Omega-3s also contain anti-inflammatory substances. Other oily fish that provide the benefits of omega-3s are sardines and herring, says Kulze; she recommends a 4-ounce serving, two to three times a week.

Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, says Pratt, explaining that higher levels of vitamin E correspond with less cognitive decline as you get older. Add an ounce a day of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini. Raw or roasted doesn't matter, although if you're on a sodium-restricted diet, buy unsalted nuts.

Avocados. Avocados are almost as good as blueberries in promoting brain health, says Pratt. "I don't think the avocado gets its due," agrees Kulze. True, the avocado is a fatty fruit, but, says Kulze, it's a monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow. "And healthy blood flow means a healthy brain," she says. Avocados also lower blood pressure, says Pratt, and as hypertension is a risk factor for the decline in cognitive abilities, a lower blood pressure should promote brain health. Avocados are high in calories, however, so Kulze suggests adding just 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado to one daily meal as a side dish.

Whole grains. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole-grain breads, and brown rice can reduce the risk for heart disease. "Every organ in the body is dependent on blood flow," says Pratt. "If you promote cardiovascular health, you're promoting good flow to the organ system, which includes the brain." While wheat germ is not technically a whole grain, it also goes on Kulze's "superfoods" list because in addition to fiber, it has vitamin E and some omega-3s. Kulze suggests 1/2 cup of whole-grain cereal, 1 slice of bread two-thee times day, or 2 tablespoons of wheat germ a day.

Source - read more:  http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/eat-smart-healthier-brain


Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not  been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.