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From GunGame5 Documentation

Fluorescent Lighting Dangers - Why LED Lights Will Be The Much Better Choice

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) as well as more conventional fluorescent lamps are aggressively marketed as environmentally friendly due to their diminished electricity consumption. Indeed, prevalent replacement of incandescent bulbs with CFLs will greatly reduce electricity demand; however, there are questions of safety that ultimately promote to making LED lighting the excellent choice. Knowing fluorescent lighting dangers can help guarantee that fluorescent light bulbs are being used and discarded safely while explaining why LED lighting is the safest and most eco-friendly lighting alternative in the long run.

Mercury

One of the most commonly mentioned fluorescent lighting danger is mercury. Fluorescent and CFL bulbs carry a small amount of mercury and are also identified with the fundamental symbol Hg. When these bulbs are chilled, some of the mercury in the fixture is in fluid form, but while the lamp is operating or when the lamp is hot, most of the mercury is in a gaseous or steam form.

Mercury vapor is extremely harmful. Even in liquefied form, contact with mercury is considered life-threatening or a "severe" risk to health. Even small doses of mercury may cause severe respiratory system damage, mind damage, renal damage, central nervous system damage, and many other serious diseases.

Disposed off poorly, mercury can contaminate establishments, landfills, lakes, wildlife, fish, birds, humans, plants and lakes. In the US, the EPA has ordered waste handlers to handle fluorescent lamps as dangerous waste. Up to 95 percent of the mercury present in CFLs can be taken out if the bulbs are recycled properly.

Mercury-containing lamps generated by homes and companies are not always subject to legal regulations, regarding their disposal. State laws deviate and some states, like California, Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts, prohibit all mercury-containing lights, including CFLs, from being discarded in the solid waste river.

Because mercury could be released if a fluorescent lamp is broken, it is important to set up fixtures in locations the lamps are not likely to be destroyed. Fixtures in areas close to your soil or in locations with moving machine should use metal or plastic shields to cover the lamp from being broken. If a fluorescent lamp breaks, there are many safety and cleanup problems which we will discuss more thoroughly in the following portion.

Breakage

Fluorescent lamps produce several hazards if broken. Depending on the type, there may be a partial vacuum or the bulb may be under pressure. Breaking the glass could cause shrapnel injuries, along with the release of mercury and other unhealthy compounds.

The biggest immediate injury threat from a broken lamp is from the phosphor-coated glass. If cut with fluorescent lamp glass, almost any phosphor that goes in the wound is likely to hinder blood clotting and can interfere with healing. Such accidents should be treated seriously and immediate medical attention should be obtained for individuals or house animals that are cut. Medical personnel ought to be informed that the wounds were because of a damaged fluorescent lamp, and that mercury was present.

To reduce exposure to mercury vapor, EPA and other specialists advise a few measures. Children and pets should keep away from the area, and windows must be opened for at least 15 minutes so that vapors may spread. Cleanup can be done by yourself using throw-aways materials. Use rubber throw away gloves and scoop up the materials using stiff paper or cardboard. Use sticky tape to pick up small bits and powder, clean the area with a wet paper towel, and wipe out the materials in an outside trash can. Never use a vacuum because this will only disperse the mercury vapor and leave particles trapped inside the cleaner bag.