Steve consults on somewhat related topics I asked Steve if he had heard
of this because I didn't know who to ask about this article and this is
what he replied.:

>no -- but I am aware that some faux science is being paid for by
>some third parties

Re:
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/8462626/Energy-saving-light-bulbs-contain-cancer-causing-chemicals.html>

I looked up some of the claims in case they are exaggerating. The
chemical release study does NOT appear to be listed in journal
resources like PubMed and that absence does indicate that there might
be a need for using a grain of salt in relation to the study, and
this abstract also indicates that the article might be a bit
sensationalistic EXCEPT for people who have rare photosensitivity
conditions and some of them need to use double envelope bulbs -- and
there ARE double envelope compact fluorescent bulbs which change the
spectrum. You will find that there are some compact fluorescent bulbs
which have a round globe over the squiggly portion and those are double
envelopes, though some of those are clear, and for ferrets with some
rare photosensitive skin conditions -- though I don't know if there
are any I could imagine some albino ferrets maybe having that
possibility -- this might matter, too:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21535166

>Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2011 Jun;27(3):131-7.
>doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00576.x.
>The risk to normal and photosensitive individuals from exposure to
>light from compact fluorescent lamps.
>Moseley H, Ferguson J.
>Source
>Photobiology Unit, Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital &
>Medical School, Dundee, UK.
>Abstract
>BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:
>The incandescent electric light bulb has been in widespread use
>since the early part of the 20th century. There is now a strong
>move underway to improve lighting efficiency to cut carbon dioxide
>emissions. As a result, many countries have introduced legislation to
>phase out the use of incandescent bulbs, and these are largely being
>replaced with compactfluorescent lamps (CFLs). The rate at which CFLs
>are replacing the traditional bulbs has caused alarm among patients
>with light-sensitive skin disorders as there has been very little
>informed discussion regarding the safety of these new lamps for this
>group of patients. The purpose of the present paper is to review the
>available literature to assess the likely impact of CFLs on the skin
>of normal and photosensitive individuals.
>
>METHODS:
>All data sources were identified through searches of MEDLINE and a
>manual literature search.
>
>RESULTS:
>The spectrum of light emitted by CFLs is different from incandescent
>light. In particular, some CFLs emit short wavelength UV radiation at
>253.7nm. Most published reports show that the short wavelengths can
>be eliminated by the use of a double envelope. There are very little
>data examining directly the risk to photosensitive individuals. In
>one study, a patient with chronic actinic dermatitis had a severe
>erythematous reaction from an exposure of only 2.5min' duration.
>
>CONCLUSION:
>CFLs present a low level of risk to individuals of normal sensitivity
>but they are potentially harmful to photosensitive patients. We
>recommend the use of double envelope lamps, and consideration given
>to the adoption of a 'UV-safe' classification scheme.
>
>(c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
>
>PMID: 21535166 [PubMed - in process]

BTW, standard, old fashioned fluorescent bulbs have a much large amount
of mercury compared to the current compact fluorescents (and less than
coal burning power plants would emit with the higher energy use of
using incandescents vs. compact fluorescents).

There have been concerns that individuals (of multiple species) who are
being treated for some hormonal malignancies and hormonal growths would
get too much of the blue spectrum with standard compact fluorescents
but that can be tackled with double envelope compact fluorescents and
with colored ones such as bulbs in

https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp?

from which we have purchased amber lights for the ferrets to decrease
the negative impact on melatonin production. We use that at night when
a light has to be on in their room to help possibly delay adrenal
disease onset since decreased melatonin production is one of the things
that increases FSH production.

BTW, compact fluorescents that are not colored or not double envelope
are not the only bulbs that produce high levels of blue light. Many
growing lights, SAD treatment lights, and aquarium lights also do, and
so do some other incandescents designed to emphasize that part of the
spectrum.

I have been trying to find out WHO funded the Alab Laboratory study
and what Alab Laboratory is since there are many industry labs with a
vested interest and also labs for hire **and that sometimes greatly
matters** but so far have not found out. There is one more resource I
can think to check. Nope, that resource also does not list anything
about this. So, grain of salt time till more is known.

Again, though when people lose their a/c and it is hot, and ferrets
are at risk but artificial lights must be used compact fluorescents
will generate a LOT less heat for the amount of light.

Yes, we DO have compact fluorescents here at home and have for years
without any incidents, problems, or worries.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html

"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
On change for its own sake: "You can go really fast if you just jump
off the cliff." (2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 7128]