Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs Might Cause Skin Damage, Study Suggests

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Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, are a popular choice for homeowners and businesses looking for ways to reduce their electricity bills.

But researchers at Stony Brook University in New York have discovered CFLs have a darker side, too: The lamps emit surprisingly high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage skin cells and, at high exposure levels, cause cancer, according to CBS Miami.

Their analysis showed that skin cells exposed to the CFLs experienced significant damage. "The results were that you could actually initiate cell death," Marcia Simon, professor of dermatology at Stony Brook University, told CBS Miami. (Skin cells exposed to the incandescent bulbs suffered no significant damage.)

Researchers also believe they know the cause of the UV damage: tiny cracks in the coating inside the CFL bulbs allowed UV radiation to leak out, CBS Miami reports.

CFL manufacturers refute the Stony Brook researchers' finding, issuing a statement claiming that "the levels of UV radiation emitted are acceptably low," and the light bulbs are safe for normal use, according to CBS Miami.

CFL light bulbs also contain small amounts of mercury, a toxic element that's been linked to nerve damage, birth defects and other health risks. So despite their energy-efficiency, CFL lamps' green credentials are in question, making long-lasting, energy-saving LED lights a brighter option for many consumers.

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Marc Lallanilla
Marc Lallanilla
Live Science Contributor
Marc Lallanilla has been a science writer and health editor at About.com and a producer with ABCNews.com. His freelance writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and TheWeek.com. Marc has a Master's degree in environmental planning from the University of California, Berkeley, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.