Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Secondhand Light

Energy saving bulbs emit cancer causing chemicals it was claimed last night as new fears were raised about their safety.

Scientists said they should not be left on for long periods of time or placed close to a person's head because they release poisonous materials.

While it is already known that harmful amounts of Mercury are released if one of the new 'green' bulbs is broken, the latest research shows other carcinogenic chemicals are emitted when they are switched on.

The German research shows that the chemicals are released as a form of steam.

The harmful substances include phenol - a poison injected by the Nazis to kill thousands of concentration camp victims during World War II - and the human toxins naphthalene and styrene.
I take it they'll be banned in pubs and clubs, then?

UPDATE: Thanks to Katabasis in the comments, the Telegraph also carries the story with some interesting quotes.

Peter Braun, who carried out the 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.”

[Andreas Kirchner, of the Federation of German Engineers, said:] "They should not be used in unventilated areas and definitely not in the proximity of the head.”
Won't somebody please think of the bar staff!