Don't risk anything

Don't risk anything Canadians are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from a variety of natural and artificial sources, including the sun, welding equipment, lasers, tanning equipment, and lights. UV can be beneficial: it can be used to kill germs and treat various skin conditions, and it is needed to form vitamin D in our bodies. At the same time, there are risks attached to all forms of radiation, and overexposure to UV has been linked to sunburns, premature skin aging, skin cancer, eye problems, and weakening of the immune system.

As noted above, fluorescent lights produce UV when the mercury vapour is 'excited' by the electrical current. However, the amount of UV produced is so small that it is not considered hazardous to your health. A number of international scientific studies have found no health issues within the general population that are associated with the use of fluorescent lights.

Although the amount of UV emitted by s poses no problem for the average person, some people are extremely sensitive to UV and may be affected by the amount of UV produced by CFLs. Those who have Lupus or another auto-immune disease and certain skin conditions can be sensitive to the UV from CFLs. If you believe you are suffering from symptoms related to CFLs or fluorescent lighting, you should consult your health care provider.

Because CFLs are a recent variation on fluorescent lighting, and since their use has increased so much, Health Canada is doing its own tests on UV radiation from these lamps to measure exposure levels.

Although CFLs are considered safe to use, here are some steps you can take to further protect you and your family:

Always handle CFLs carefully when installing and removing them. Check with your municipality to see if s can be recycled in your area. Recycling them means that the small amount of mercury they contain will not end up in the environment.