Fluorescent Bulbs & Radiation

Fluorescent bulbs are becoming more popular as regulations seek to limit the use of incandescent lights where possible and replace them with fluorescent versions. Fluorescent bulbs save money by using far less energy, and typically have a much longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs, but they also produce ultraviolet radiation, which can be damaging if it reaches human skin. The light can also cause other medical problems in some people.

  1. Fluorescents

    • Fluorescent lights use a combination of gas and a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb. The ballast, or electrical control unit, of the bulb adjusts the voltage and frequency of the incoming current, which spans the bulb and energizes the gas inside so that it produces energy. The phosphor coating absorbs this energy and turns it into visible light.

    Necessity of UV Radiation

    • The light that the fluorescent bulb produces is actually very low in UV radiation, but the energy produced by the gas inside the bulb is almost pure UV light. The phosphor coating absorbs this light almost completely, so it does not make it outside the bulb. However, humans can be exposed if the bulb suddenly breaks and does not automatically shut off.

    Other Types of Radiation

    • The light that the phosphor coating produces is also a type of radiation, but it is the much more common light radiation that falls well within the range of light visible to humans. The spectrum of light the bulb produces depends on what type of fluorescent bulb it is. The brightest and hottest versions produce light similar to the visible light produced by the sun, while dimmer and cooler versions may produce light tending toward the blue spectrum.

    Skin Conditions

    • For most fluorescent light, the amount of UV radiation produced is minimal, much less than the radiation you are exposed to after only a short time under the sun. However, for people who suffer from sensitive skin or skin conditions that are made worse by natural light, the brighter versions of fluorescent lights can be highly irritating, since these lights mimic sunlight and include a small amount of escaping UV light as well.

    Protection

    • Typical fluorescent bulb applications do not require complete nullification of ultraviolet light. However, in some medical or scientific situations, no UV light can be allowed. In these cases, fluorescent lights can be fitted with a sleeve or case that absorbs any escaping UV wavelengths and neutralizes them completely while still providing light.