ZDF Are energy-saving lamps hazardous to health?

TV magazine „ZDF Zoom“: Energy-saving lamps can endanger your health

08/06/2012

From the first of September 2012, the conventional light bulbs from the German market will be completely gone. This is what the European Commission wants, and has thus massively strengthened the turnover of energy-saving lamp manufacturers. Like the TV magazine „ZDFZoom“ reported in his latest issue, are the new ones „Eco lamps“ not at all ecologically sensible. The energy-saving bulbs can permanently damage the health of consumers, as the author of the magazine found out during her research.

Saving energy is in the interest of the environment, that is the real goal of the introduction of energy-saving lamps. From the 1st of September this year, the handling phase will expire. Then there should be no more traditional bulbs to buy. But what about the possible health problems that can emanate from the new energy-saving lamp? This question was pursued by the ZDF editor Alexandra Pfeil.

Damage to health due to broken saving lamps and vapors
„If the lamps fall and break, highly toxic mercury is released“, explains the chemist Gary Zörner. "Every bit of mercury makes a bit more stupid," says the expert. For this reason, Zörner strongly advises against using energy-saving lamps in the home.

Even if the lamp does not break down and only runs in normal operation, people's health can be damaged by flickering light and electromagnetic radiation. Already a NDR report from the year 2011 showed that the „Eco lamps“ to eliminate the pollutant phenol, which is suspected of causing cancer. Also in the current broadcast it says, „Apparently even toxic and carcinogenic substances can be secreted by the supposedly environmentally friendly energy-saving bulb.“ Electrosmog is even 20 times higher in some lamps than PC monitor limits.

Cheap products from China
One reason for this is that the European market is being flooded with cheap products from China. Again and again it is reported that in Chinese companies workers are poisoned with mercury. „It can be that people poison themselves at work because they produce a supposedly ecological product for European manufacturers?“ The author Alexandra Pfeil has investigated the suspicion and apparently made a frightening discovery. The ZDF broadcast „Toxic Light - The dark side of the Energy Saving Lamp“ will be on next Wednesday at 22:45 and will answer some questions. Predicate recommended. (Sb)

Image: Viktor Mildenberger