Is UV radiation harmful to energy-saving lamps?

A recent study found that when energy-saving lamps are used, UV light leaks from tiny cracks in fluorescent coatings. Can these leaked UV radiation harm the skin? How can we use energy-saving lamps?

Ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths fall into three categories: long-wavelength ultraviolet (UVA, 320 to 400 nm), ultraviolet (UVB, 280 to 320 nm), and short-wave ultraviolet (UVC, 200 to 280 nm). In daily life, UVC is mostly filtered by the ozone layer when it passes through the atmosphere. Most of the UVC and UVB can act on the skin. Although they also have a gentle side to the skin (such as helping to form vitamin D), but in the photo-aging, skin tumors, photosensitivity and other aspects are evil (Figure 1), but also lupus erythematosus, epilepsy and other light-weighted diseases The risk factors.

Figure The mechanism by which ultraviolet light causes certain skin diseases Thus, ultraviolet light can be both beneficial and harmful to the skin, and the key is the amount of radiation. So, does the ultraviolet light emitted by energy-saving lamps reach the level of illness?

Research on energy-saving lamps and ultraviolet light research researchers first selected a number of brands of energy-saving lamps to detect the release of ultraviolet light, found that most of energy-saving lamps have UVA and UVC radiation; then choose the most powerful energy-saving lamps, put 2.5 cm At a distance to continuously irradiate fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured in vitro, and use an incandescent lamp to illuminate the same cells as a control. The results showed that the cells under the energy-saving lamp had a longer exposure time and the damage was more serious; while the cells that irradiated the incandescent lamp were not affected.

However, the conclusion of this study is also limited, and cannot be equated with "UV emitted by energy-saving lamps is harmful to humans." First, the study used skin cells that were incubated in culture dishes and cultured in vitro, unlike the cells on our bodies that had epidermis protection. Second, the study was conducted at a short distance (2.5 cm) long-term exposure to large-scale energy-saving lamps, which is far from the actual situation in life. In life, even a desk lamp has a distance of several tens of centimeters from the human body. With the increase of ultraviolet rays, the radiation energy will be greatly reduced. Taken together, the above conclusions cannot be copied into real life. In reality, the impact of energy-saving lamps on human living cells is not yet clear.

In addition, the ultraviolet radiation of energy-saving lamps is not only between different brands, but also between different bulbs produced by the same manufacturer. As a result, many of the same types of experiments (including experiments on humans and cultured cells in vitro) have conflicting conclusions. However, as regards comprehensive research, the following points are still more certain:

In close quarters, the ultraviolet light emitted by energy-saving lamps is indeed more than ordinary incandescent lamps; however, after a distance of more than 20-30 centimeters, it is greatly reduced, and almost no detectable after 50 centimeters;

Different brands of energy-saving lamps have great differences in ultraviolet radiation;

The ultraviolet light emitted by energy-saving lamps is mostly UVB, there are also many UVA and UVC;

Double shell shell can significantly reduce ultraviolet radiation than single shell;

The risk of people with photosensitivity skin diseases or light aggravation diseases may indeed increase, but the threat to the general population is no more than traditional incandescent lamps.

Although energy-saving lamps have certain ultraviolet radiation, they are still within an acceptable range for ordinary people. If you are still worried about the slight acceleration of photoaging caused by this increase, then just do the following:

1, first of all to clarify the overall safety of energy-saving lamps and tell yourself not to be nervous;

2, please look for regular channels regular manufacturers, do not buy unqualified products for low prices;

3, try to choose energy-saving lamps equipped with a double shell, use at least 20 cm away from the energy-saving lamps, the cumulative exposure time per day does not exceed 8 hours;

4, people who are unwilling to tolerate ultraviolet light can insist on using sunscreen in the room.

5, For patients with photosensitivity skin diseases or light aggravation diseases, try to use traditional incandescent lamps or LED lamps (there is literature reported that LED lamps emit at least UV [3]).

Conclusion: Energy-saving lamps will slightly increase the risk of UV radiation, but these risks can be avoided and eliminated as long as reasonable distances are used and correct use is observed.

In addition, the ultraviolet radiation of energy-saving lamps is not only between different brands, but also between different bulbs produced by the same manufacturer. As a result, many of the same types of experiments (including experiments on humans and cultured cells in vitro) have conflicting conclusions. However, as regards comprehensive research, the following points are still more certain:

In close quarters, the ultraviolet light emitted by energy-saving lamps is indeed more than ordinary incandescent lamps; however, after a distance of more than 20-30 centimeters, it is greatly reduced, and almost no detectable after 50 centimeters;

Different brands of energy-saving lamps have great differences in ultraviolet radiation;

The ultraviolet light emitted by energy-saving lamps is mostly UVB, there are also many UVA and UVC;

Double shell shell can significantly reduce ultraviolet radiation than single shell;

The risk of people with photosensitivity skin diseases or light aggravation diseases may indeed increase, but the threat to the general population is no more than traditional incandescent lamps.