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+1 (813) 649-8899The Unseen Dangers of Fluorescent Lighting
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems when ingested, inhaled or absorbed by the skin. Unfortunately, it's also commonly found in fluorescent lighting tubes as an essential component of their functioning. While the amount of mercury in each tube may seem small, it adds up quickly when millions of people use them daily.
The History of Fluorescent Lighting
First invented by Nikola Tesla in 1893, it wasn't until the early 1930s that practical applications for the technology were developed.
The first commercially available fluorescent light bulbs were introduced by General Electric in 1938, which grew in popularity because they used less energy and lasted longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
During World War II, fluorescent lighting became even more popular as manufacturers needed an efficient way to light up their factories at night. By the end of the war, nearly half of all commercial buildings in America had installed fluorescent lighting, and today millions of homes and businesses around the world use fluorescent lighting as a primary source of illumination.
The Dangers of Fluorescent Tubes
When these bulbs break, they release toxic vapors that can be harmful to both humans and animals nearby. Exposure to mercury has been linked to respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as neurological symptoms like tremors and memory loss. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to its effects.
Moreover, disposing of fluorescent bulbs improperly contributes significantly to environmental pollution since they end up in landfills where their hazardous contents leach into the soil and groundwater. So while fluorescent lights may save you money on energy bills initially but pose significant dangers for your health and environment long-term.
It is clear that the dangers of mercury in fluorescent lighting cannot be ignored. The harmful effects it can have on our health and environment are too great to ignore. Fortunately, LED technology has come a long way and offers a safer alternative.
The Benefits of Switching to LED
LED lights contain no mercury or other hazardous materials, making them much safer for use in homes and workplaces. They also consume less energy than traditional fluorescent bulbs, which means lower electricity bills and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
As we continue to prioritize sustainability and safety, switching to LED lighting is an important step forward to avoid fluorescent lighting hazards. We not only avoid the short-term health risks associated with mercury vapor, but we are also helping to reduce the carbon footprint and creating a much more sustainable future long term.
Our mission at HTM Lighting Solutions is to provide sustainable and green energy at an affordable price. With LED equivalents for fluorescent lighting, such as our T5 LED Tubes, it has never been easier to make the switch. Please feel free to contact us for any assistance regarding any of our LED products by giving us a call at +1 (813) 649-8899 or emailing us at sales@htm-lighting.com.
- Michael Tomas
