Flourescent lights...

mnjodette · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

I wonder if the ADA would factor in here? Perhaps a movement to make sure fluorescent lighting in public places is shielded to protect people from UV rays? Even if they DON'T phase out incandescent bulbs, nearly every public place will probably switch to florescent lighting anyway, just for the energy savings.

The LFA is a good place to start a 'fire' to get some advocacy going. A while back I heard a radio talk show guy comment about the mandatory phasing out of incandescent bulbs and he said "what about all the people that are sensitive to fluorescent lights?" so SOME people DO get it!! Just need to find a forum for making a lot of noise about this! #Mad

I think phone calls to legislators offices work better than letters, but both can't hurt. If there is state legislation pending, those are the legislators to focus on first; then move on the the feds!

Grrrrrr.....just one more thing to stress about, huh?

Jody
_________________
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Oluwa,

Thank you for the research and information. I was soooo ticked when my Mom told me about this.

Again, they don't care about people, they just care about going green and being politically correct.

Who is going to set up recycle centers and who is going to pay for it? We are; they will probably set up some type of flourescent tax on the bulbs as they have with soda cans in order to recycle them. If it has toxicity, why are we using them?

What about all the flourescent lights that are thrown in the trash cans around the world, and end up in our ecosystem (the landfill)? If they are toxic; that means that we will eventually be drinking it at some point. Doesn't sound very smart or healthy all in the name of going green and global warming.

I work 3.5 hours per day under flourescent lights that constantly cause migranes, outbreaks on the scalp, joint pain, and hair loss. I hate THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have asked about covers and was told there are currently no covers available to cover/shield the UVA rays due to the built-in design in the ceiling.

Saysusie; please let us know if there is anyone we can contact in the ADA or local/federal government. Can we petition this? I too can understand conserving energy; but to increase illness in photosensitive people? I am with you on the underground lightbulb railroad. Let me know when to start digging along with coordinates. I noticed your mis-spelling too; I am glad that I am not the only one upset about this ridiculous idea. Please keep us updated; we don't need any more pain and suffering than we already have. Unfortunately, opaque shades will not stop the UVA rays.

Take care,

Faith #Mad

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Hi Razzleberry,

Thank you for the info on Cobra; it is coverage and very expensive. I would probably have to not take meds in order to afford it. Ironic or what? I am worried about not being able to afford my meds (16+). We don't have state insurance as some states do for the chronically ill or pre-existing conditions.

You are right; there is no such thing as company loyalty. I have contacted the local FEHD and made an appt after the 60 days just in case . . . I would definately alledge age discrimination and get a right to sue letter. The only problem is proving discrimination; I understand it is difficult to prove.

It's just too depressing!! I get very upset, mad, and then cry. My husband has worked soo hard and many countless lunch hours (unpaid) in order to get projects out on time and then to get this ugly discriminating review is insane to say the least. After reading the review, one would think he had no experience whatsoever in this field. To top it off, the manager doesn't believe in computers and wants everything on paper first which is extremely time-consuming and inefficient at best.

I was a designer for 10 years and it is technology deficient to not use a computer. An example would be having someone take your computer away and giving you an old typewriter from the 1800s to type up everything on perfect each and every time without spell check, making revisions, etc.

Sorry, I didn't mean to rag on. I am tired, disgusted and upset about this, and then to top it off on the whole entire lightbulb "green" theory based on energy efficiency in the environment while it's okay to continue poisoning ourselves when people throw toxic flourescent lights in trashcans.

Take care,

Faith

Jennyfoo · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:13 am Post subject:

The problem is people don't realize you're supposed to RECYCLE flourescents through special recycling programs and centers. They're not supposed to be thrown in the trash due to the chemicals including mercury. This info needs to get out there and the idiots(legislators) who are pushing the ban on incandescent lights need to be responsible for making convenient and safe disposal of flourescents as well.

I'll admit, I'm a tree-hugging, sun-worshipping, dirt-loving, animal-loving hippy and humanist. I'm all for whatever can be done to protect the environment as long as it is not to the detriment of the general population's health and safety. I wouldn't expect stores to only make their shelves go 3 feet in height so as to be fair to people with dwarfism, so why should I expect stores to cater to the small minority of people who are photosensitive?

I went shopping at Target today- everywhere here in CA is lit by flourescents. The rash came out bright red again and I got a horrific headache, low-grade fever again, and I've been in tons of pain this evening- after feeling better the past 2 days. I think I'm going to have to start wearing long-sleeved shirts and sun hats indoors when I go out shopping.

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:52 am Post subject:

I have to weigh in on the impact on the environment and health, going beyond the photosensitivity issues. Though which I believe should be an option for those who are sensitivity. We accommodate many other adversities.

But first, I have to be an advocate for those inflicted with photo sensitive issues....dwarfism and photosensitivity....apples and oranges. One can say can you please reach that for me....can one say could you please turn the lights off while I shop.

I found this that is pretty much my opinion on this topic on banning...while the bulbs are extremely energy-efficient, one problem hasn’t gone away: All CFLs contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage.

The amount is tiny — about 5 milligrams, or barely enough to cover the tip of a pen — but that is enough to contaminate up to 6,000 gallons of water beyond safe drinking levels, extrapolated from Stanford University research on mercury. Even the latest lamps promoted as “low-mercury” can contaminate more than 1,000 gallons of water beyond safe levels.

There is no disputing that overall, fluorescent bulbs save energy and reduce pollution in general. An average incandescent bulb lasts about 800 to 1,500 hours; a spiral fluorescent bulb can last as long as 10,000 hours. In just more than a year — since the beginning of 2007 — 9 million fluorescent bulbs have been purchased in California, preventing the release of 1.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide compared with traditional bulbs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Using them actually reduces overall emissions to the environment, even though they contain minuscule amounts of mercury in themselves,” said Mark Kohorst, senior manager for environment, health and safety for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Public, agencies ill-informed of risks
As long as the mercury is contained in the bulb, CFLs are perfectly safe. But eventually, any bulbs — even CFLs — break or burn out, and most consumers simply throw them out in the trash, said Ellen Silbergeld, a professor of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins University and editor of the journal Environmental Research.

“This is an enormous amount of mercury that’s going to enter the waste stream at present with no preparation for it,” she said.

Manufacturers and the EPA say broken CFLs should be handled carefully and recycled to limit dangerous vapors and the spread of mercury dust. But guidelines for how to do that can be difficult to find, as Brandy Bridges of Ellsworth, Maine, discovered.

“It was just a wiggly bulb that I reached up to change,” Bridges said. “When the bulb hit the floor, it shattered.”

When Bridges began calling around to local government agencies to find out what to do, “I was shocked to see how uninformed literally everyone I spoke to was,” she said. “Even our own poison control operator didn’t know what to tell me.”

The state eventually referred her to a private cleanup firm, which quoted a $2,000 estimate to contain the mercury. After Bridges complained publicly about her predicament, state officials changed their recommendation: Simply throw it in the trash, they said.

Break a bulb? Five steps for cleanup
That was the wrong answer, according to the EPA. It offers a detailed, 11-step procedure you should follow: Air out the room for a quarter of an hour. Wear gloves. Double-bag the refuse. Use duct tape to lift the residue from a carpet. Don’t use a vacuum cleaner, as that will only spread the problem. The next time you vacuum the area, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag.

All people are not careful...all people are not safe, all people are not conscientious of all things that matter..and who says what matters. I do know... there will be an accident just as there has always been. More fluorescent lights, means more chances of that pin drop amount being unaccounted for ....a scary thought. We lose no matter what...but who is to say what is really safer, the safest...Al Gore, FDA...legislators, Mum...

It should be a choice...

Every time one exercises their rights we infringe on anothers...eh? Shocked

What's a girl to do?
Oluwa

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Well said Oluwa,

I think you are totally correct; it should be a choice. Thank you for the additional research on water contaminates, etc.

We are in one of the counties in California, ironically, that are on water rationing; though our water district states we have 50 years of water in storage. I think we all take water for granted; I know I did until it effected our rationing and city development. Water is a very precious resource and we really need to protect it!!!

I guess we are selling our water to Los Angeles and Sacramento (due to the smelt issue) since they are on a short supply. Water is quickly becoming a big issue in California.

In our county, we had three large developers cancel building projects because, by law, they have to provide water for 20 years; it's not currently possible because we are selling all our water to outside counties and then placed on water rationing because of it. It doesn't make any sense; it should be across the board rationing for everyone.

This really hurts our economy; not that I am for a lot of development mind you, though I understand there are other areas that require water and I would never wish anyone to do without water. Development is now being based on how much water can be supplied for 20 years in CA. In Arizona, it's required water be available for 100 years per builder.

I am all for going green as long as it does not effect our health, water and environment in that order. We are huge recyclers in our home, cans, milk and med containers, etc. In our city, we do not have recycle centers for flourescent light bulbs; so there is no choice but to throw them in the trash. I am sure this is the case with many cities. I think Home Depot and Wal-Mart should have recycle centers in their stores since they are handing out millions of flourescent lights.

Our Pastor was recently talking about one of the most valuable resources in the Bible, water, without it no one can survive. We need it to drink and also to harvest crops to eat. It is becoming expensive and rare; we need to protect and treasure it. Throwing mercury flourescent lights in our landfills will not help our health, water supplies and environment.

Take care,

Faith Cool

Oluwa · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:57 am Post subject:

Faith..

You are welcome..

Hey , are you working at a desk, in a cube..with a direct fluorescent light over head? Maybe they can pull the bulbs and you can use a desk lamp...

Enjoy this day,
Oluwa

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Hi Oluwa,

I work in a computer lab classroom all lit with flourescent lights. I turn half of the room's lights off; but still have exposure. I wish I could take a lamp in and sit it in one spot.

Good idea; I appreciate it. Though, I have bought several lamps at estate sales and placed in different rooms including the bathroomd due to hte lights being too bright and hurting my eyes. The lamps really do help. Sorry for the typos; the brain is not connecting with the fingers today. grrrrr

Take care,

Faith Razz

Jennyfoo · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

Very well said Oluwa, and I am in complete agreement. I know the dwarfism thing was a bit far off, but just an example of how industry is not going to cater to a small minority of people. Besides, if they did, then they'd have people like me and my hubby who are tall(5'10" and 6'3") pissed off at them. LOL! "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time." It seems no matter what people and businesses do, they have to step on someone's toes and somebody gets offended these days. IT sucks that we react to flourescents in this way, but what can be done about it? Shopping centers aren't going to cater to us, so all we can do is protect ourselves the best we can with clothing and sunscreen. We certainly can't ask God to turn off the sun for us either. Laughing

One of my kids broke a flourescent bulb last year and it scared the bejeesus out of me. Now we buy ones from Ikea that are wrapped in some kind of outer-layer film that keeps the contents inside if they are broken. I'm switching out my flourescents in my bathroom for the old incandescents and the pot light above my computer desk. Unfortunately, it's up to my hubby to do something about the kitchen lights.

tintin28 · Little Guppy Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 30

Hello everyone,

Faith I am really sad to hear about your husband's job--engineering consultancies are horrible when it comes to treating employees right. (btw, I am an engineer too...what type of engineering is your husband in?). I am hoping that things work out for you and please take care and remember that things have a way of sorting themselves out (somehow). Your health must be the number one priority. Smile

As for the light bulb issue--man, I thought I was the only one getting upset by this--now it appears I am not crazy.

I agree with JennyFoo in that I understand the general public is not going to do things to cater for everybody HOWEVER, the issue here (I think) is not whether this is a good environmental move but whether all of us have a basic human right to safe lighting in our own HOMES.

The key problem is that there is NO SAFE ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE as soon as incandescent bulbs are banned.

Do we have a right to safe lighting in our own homes--like everybody else? Or is it because we have lupus we have suddenly lost that right?

KathyW1958 · Tiger Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 810

I have a serious problem with Flourescent lighting too and I have one in my kitchen. We put an opaque shade over it and that helps a lot, plus I keep the light off a lot of the time. I think that it is terrible if they do not give us a choice between flourescent lights and incondescent lights. I wonder if anyone has broght this problem to the government or what. I don't know if the schools have changed or are they still using the florescent lighting without opaque covers, because I know when I was in highschool years ago the lights would make me very sick and everyone thought that it was all in my mind. I did not know anything about Lupus back then in the 70's. I hate going to the grocery stores and department stores because of the lighting in there as I get bad headaches from them. I avoid shopping if I can. Oh well.

Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Hello everyone:

tintin28, thank you for the kind thoughts and compassion. My husband is an office engineer in civil engineering (development, commercial and residential). What type of engineering are you in? I used to work in mechanical, structural and electrical engineering as a CADD designer. I am hoping and praying everything sorts itself out. I am stressing over not having health insurance.

I have an apptmt to see a neeruologist in July. I am uneasy about it.

I am sad to hear almost everyone has the same flourescent light issue. I am glad that everyone is upset about it.

We all need to make phone calls to our representatives and maybe ask them if the government would like to pay for the repeated dematology appointments, biopsies, and meds to go along with it? That would be an expensive endeavor since there are a lot more of us than senators and council voting on it.

now falling asleep at computer. . . snnnnnnnooozze

Cheryl

TracyDawn

I had to use a lamp in my office for a couple of months after my doctor told me I was never going to feel better or get rid of the awful rash on my back, neck and in my hair (along with my hair falling out) unless I got different lights in my office, since I am sitting in my chair all day long. My boss hated the lamps cause my office is small so it became the bat cave. I did a google for Lupus fluorescent light covers and came up with two good websites. We ordered the "sheets" that you put in the light cover so the bulbs are not affecting me. They have other kinds that go over the tubes but those really make me cringe because of the heat factor. I have had the sheets in here for about a month and a half and I have to say the rash is gone from everywhere! My headaches are better as well. Achiness is still there but I also have Fibro and am finishing my last class to graduate with my associates so lots of stress (adding in a hubby and a 10 year old Wink

). The sheets aren't cheap but they do work. Edited to add: since it was a medical issue and potentially disability related my work paid for the sheets so it never hurts to ask.

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

I am thinking that if this is the way things really do go and all incandescent bulbs are banned maybe they'll make them available to people like us via Rx. Could be a good solution for everyone.

Everytime I shop I get a brght red malar rash and I feel so tired so fast. I just thought I was over doing the "getting out and trying to be normal" thing. Maybe it's the lighting instead?

Faith · Cobra Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 461 Location: California

Hi Razzleberry,

It's the lighting, I have it went I shop at Samsclub. Then the fatigue is worse and the joint pain just nags all day.

It would be awful to have to get an Rx for regular lighting. They would definately be making money off of all of us. lol.

Take care,

Faith