1. Mercury is a BIG issue but not the most important.
2. The emission of radiation that probably causes countless sicknesses – maybe cancer – is not the big issue.
3. The fact that several carcinogenic chemicals and toxins were released from their plastic parts when the “environmentally-friendly” compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were switched on, including phenol, naphthalene and styrene, is not the main problem.
4. Forget the geopolitical game on rare earth metals. China is the champion on it.
5. Forget the UV radiation, skin problems and probably cancer. This is not the main problem.
6. The most important factor, that has NOT been understood, is that the mandatory change of bulbs entails a change in the quality of lighting. And this is OUR REAL LIFE. What is certain is that a drastic change of myriads of active electro-biochemical processes in the bodies of all people will be effected, with unknown consequences. It is extremely well-documented scientific knowledge that any kind of artificial light often and profoundly affects any living being adversely.
This is the one and the major disadvantage of CFLs due to the radiation 400-500 nm they emit, known as blue light. This is an extremely dangerous radiation, which cause cancer and suppresses melatonin secretion, giving “craze” signals to pineal gland with countless consequent effects on both the ill and the healthy.
The frequencies in the range of blue light (and UV radiation) are increasingly a source of concern due to their adverse health effects. Even the SCENIHR, namely the Scientific Committee of the EU, which verified the issue, almost cynically agrees with this, talking about adverse effects on the health of 25,000 people. Nevertheless, citizen unions argue that up to 70,000,000 people will be affected! In reality due to blue light everybody will be negative affected.
Finally there is an unbelievable fact. The European Commission asked – again – for the second time (2008 and 2010) the SCENIHR “to explore and report (30.11.2011) scientific evidence on potential health impacts on the general public”.

[...]The Dark Side Of CFLs « In These New Times[...]…

We have taken the liberty to link to this article from our website http://www.cflimpact.com

The points you make are of great importance to those who suffer from the unintended consequences of ill-informed politicians and bureaucrats who did not do their homework before banning the incandescent bulb.

One of our doctors, in Ann Arbor, MI, is confident that there are more people impacted by CFLs than are in wheelchairs. He thinks that there should be accommodation similar to that afforded others under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Keep up the good work