Choose Between Carcinogenic Light Bulbs Or Excessive Prices

Experts have known the dangers of CFL light bulbs for quite some time, but new research has led to even the mainstream media now reporting on the dangers of CFL light bulbs. In an experiment carried out at the Berlin's Alab Laboratory, it was found that the bulbs should not be left on for long periods of time — particularly near one's head. This is due to the poisonous materials emitted from the so-called "eco-safe" bulbs when switched on. The researchers found that some of the carcinogens emitted from the bulbs included phenol, naphthalene, and styrene. While all of these chemicals are considerably dangerous to the body, it is worth mentioning that phenol was used as a means of execution by the Nazis in the second world war. Phenol, along with the other harmful chemicals, are substances that do not belong in any household or workplace.

Peter Braun, who performed the light bulb 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."

CFL bulbs are already widely used both in the European Union and in the United States. Thanks to a call by the EU government to phase out incandescent bulbs by the end of 2011, many households have converted to carcinogen-producing CFL's under the guise of saving the planet with the "environmentally-friendly" bulbs. The health consequences of such widespread use are currently unknown, as the results will only come with time. With an excess of cancer-causing chemicals being pumped into the average household, an explosion in already-skyrocketing cancer rates may be the result. Despite the research coming out over the negative health effects of the bulbs, The Department for the Environment still insists that they are perfectly safe.

On The Department for the Environment website it states: "Energy efficient light bulbs are not a danger to the public."

Thanks to alternative news pushing the dangers of CFL's into the mainstream, and this vital new research, a growing number of people are recognizing the dangers associated with using them. This leads the population to look for alternatives, as with any product that consumers do not want to purchase. The problem is, however, that government regulations threaten the consumer's ability to purchase traditional incandescent bulbs that do not leak carcinogens into the air. Congress passed a law in 2007 mandating that bulbs producing 100 watts of light meet certain standards, which conventional light bulbs do not. The law goes into full effect by 2012, with California already banning stores from restocking on 100-watt incandescent bulbs. It seems that the other option — besides hoarding incandescents before they are banned — is to purchase a new brand of LED bulbs. The bulbs will cost $50 each, and they will escape the federal ban due to being energy-efficient by the standards of the new law.

These LED bulbs may be more efficient and do not contain harmful substances, but they simply are not affordable for the majority of consumers worldwide. Government regulations have driven consumers to begin purchasing light bulbs that will endanger their health and quite possibly give them cancer, as the alternatives may not be economically viable. While it may not be a simple issue to remedy, one thing is for sure: the health of the nation should not suffer due to poorly designed light bulbs that contain known carcinogens.