🚀 go-pugleaf

___
 __ FYI, attached are two articles about radioactive elements in
  _ some brands of compact fluorescent lamps.
    <_Jym_>
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Article from Nuclear Awareness News, Winter 1989/1990
by Dave Martin
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Compact Fluorescent Lamps
-- A Radioactive Surprise

Prompted by the oil price shock of the Early 1970s, energy efficiency became
a widespread concern in many areas. The lighting industry made significant
strides in providing a range of lighting alternatives with improved
efficiency and longer service lives. One of the most exciting areas of
technological improvement has been the new generation of fluorescent lamps
known as compact fluorescent. However, concern has been sparked by the fact
that they contain radioactive materials.

Fluorescent lamps are not new - they were introduced in the late 1930s. The
standard F40 was a 40-watt, four foot tubular lamp that offered great energy
savings as compared to the conventional incandescent lamp that had been
pioneered by Thomas Edison. Although still widely used, incandescents are by
far the least efficient of all lamps. Incandescents offer only 12 to 17
lumens per watt (Lm/W - a measurement of efficiency in terms of the light
produced for the power consumed). . This compares to a range for
 fluorescents of 50 to 100 Lm/W.

In the early 1980s, the Philips Lighting Company introduced in Europe what it
called a "PL" fluorescent, called later by others a compact fluorescent lamp
(CFL). Philips was soon followed by Osram, another lighting company. CFLs
have a number of unique features:

     * They use lower wattages (5 to 13 W) than had ever been used before in
fluorescents.
     * They have distinctive "twin" or "quad" "U" shaped tubes with
electrodes placed opposite each other at the open ends of the tubes. The quad
(or "cluster") lamps allow for higher wattages and reduced length.
     * They have a small high-efficiency ballasts attached at the base of the
lamp with an Edison-type medium screw base, so that it can directly replace
incandescent lamps.

Light quality from the CFLs is good, because of the improved ballasts,better
lamp gas,and new tristimulus phosphor coating on the tube. They have a
'warmer' light and none of the strobe effect of older fluorescents. The big
advantages of CFLs however are efficiency and long service life. The Philips
PL lamps (5 to 13 W) are rated at 50 to 69 lm/W and last for 10,000 hours.
Incandescents have 12 to 17 lm/W and last for 750 to 2500 hours. Philips
promotes their PL lamp and ballasts as cutting energy costs by
80 percent, and extending life by ten times.

There are some disadvantages to CFLS:

     * The length of the ballast and lamps sometimes too long or fixtures
designed for incandescent lamps, although extended length replacement "harps"
(the wire frame that holds the lampshade) can be purchased.

     * The ballasts on some CFLs are sometimes too large for fixtures
designed for incandescent lamps.

     * The CFL is a "linear" light (like all fluorescent) i.e. the light
comes from the surface of the tube rather than a small filament is in an


incandescent. This means that reflectors may be required in some
applications.

Price is also an apparent problem since the initial price of the CFL is high
- in Toronto the Philips PL (including ballast) retails for $18 to $21.
However,the ballast is reusable and over the life of two lamps, the total
cost of a PL9 (at$19) including electricity (at 5 cents per kilowatt hour)
would be $40, while using 20 incandescent bulbs ($.50 each) for the same
length of time would cost $90. CFLs are clearly cost savers over time.

So what about the radioactive materials in these lamps. All fluorescents use
ballasts, which transform electrical current for starting and operating the
lamps. The ballast provides several volts to heat an electrode so that an arc
can pass from one electrode to the other. The current of the arc energizes
phosphors which are coated on the inside of the glass tube. More voltage
(known as the open circuit voltage) is required for the arc. For starting,
some CFLs may use the help of ionizing radiation from a ra
dioactive substance in a "starter" or "glow switch" to warm up the electrode
and provide initial ionization, especially at low temperatures.

There are three radionuclides in common use in CFLS: krypton-85 (85 Kr),
promethium-147 (147 Pm), and tritium (3H). These radionuclides are used in
very small amounts - typically billionths (10-9) of curies, known as
nanocuries (nCi) (See chart below).

Krypton-85 is a chemically inert noble gas. It emits beta particles with an
average energy of 249keV and a maximum energy of 612 keV. It also emits a
0.41 %-probable gamma ray (514 keV) and it has a half-life of 10.76 years.
The major exposure pathways are through the skin and lungs.

Promethium- 147 is a rare earth metal, coincidentally similar to the
tristimulus phosphors used in coating the fluorescent tubes. 147 Pm is a
solid, and emits beta particles with an average energy of 62keV and a maximum
energy of 225keV. Its half-life is 2.62 years. Under international standards,
the maximum permissable body burden for 147 Pm in the critical organ (bone)
is two microcuries, or 6 times the amount in one lamp. The maximum
permissable continuous exposure level for the public is 0.67 nCi/m3 for
 air,and the maximum permissable intake of 147 Pm by inhalation for the
public is 60 microcuries per quarter, or about 182 times the amount in one
lamp.

Tritium is also a beta emitter with an average energy of 5.7 key and a
maximum energy of 18.6 key. It has a half life of 12.3 years. In its
elemental form, tritium is a gas, and in that form is considered much less
dangerous than in its oxidized form as tritiated water or water vapour. It
has been estimated that a lethal dose of tritium (LD50/30 - causing death to
50% of subjects within 30 days) is about 70 Ci tritiated water for a 70kg
man. Much smaller quantities constitute a serious risk if ingested, inh
aled or absorbed through the skin. Fire is a serious consideration,since it
would result in the immediate oxidation of exposed elemental tritium.

A controversial aspect of the use of radionuclides in CFLs is the question of
labeling. Nuclear Awareness Project has discovered that in the USA, the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires the labeling of the boxes of
CFLs which contain radioactive materials (although the lamps themselves are
not labeled). For example, in the USA, Philips PL boxes are labeled with the
following wording: "This lamp uses a glow switch containing less than 30 nCi
85Kr". This is not good labeling, since it does not tell t
he consumer outright that the product contains radioactive material, and it
uses scientific short forms for nanocuries and the radioisotopes that would


not be understandable to the average person. However, at least there is basic
information for the concerned purchaser. Canada's nuclear regulatory agency,
the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) requires no labeling at all, Thus
making it impossible for most consumers to make an informed choice.

The AECB argues that the small quantities of radioactive material in CFLs are
below regulatory concern. By contrast, ionizing smoke detectors must be
labeled - they contain up to 5 microcuries of americium-241 (i.e. 5
millionths of a curie). In addition to concern about the lamps themselves, is
the question of safety of the manufacturing process, as well as the transport
and storage of the radionuclides prior to manufacturing. However, neither
Philips nor Osram manufacture the lamps in Canada. As a matter o
f principle, the uncontrolled disposal of the lamps is also a matter of
concern. In a more general sense, it is also unfortunate that the use of
these radionuclides in consumer goods offers more economic support and moral
justification for the commercial and military nuclear industry which is the
supplier.

The environmental community in the USA is divided on support for CFLs. The
Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado (founded by soft-energy advocate Amory
Lovins) has argued that the benefit in energy savings from CFLs far outweighs
the disadvantage of containing radioactive material. They argue dramatically
that a single 18-watt CFL (equal to a 75-watt incandescent and lasting 13
Times longer) will avoid emissions from a typical US coal plant of 1 ton of
carbon dioxide and about 20 pounds of sulphur dioxide. O
r, if it saves nuclear electricity, 0.5 curies of strontium-90 and cesium-137
(two high level waste components) and about 25 milligrams of plutonium -
about 2,000 cancer-causing doses. This is not to mention the saving of about
a dozen incandescent bulbs, and the electricity conservation. By contrast,
Nuclear Free America, based in Maryland, has taken a position against use of
CFLS, arguing that they foster a "continuing reliance on the nuclear
industry" and saying that "the risks and costs simply outweigh
the benefits". They are promoting the use of a more efficient incandescent
lamp.

The good news is that there are CFLs that do not contain radioactive
material. In particular, the CFLs with electronic ballasts do not need
radioactive material for their starters. The Osrain "Dulux EU' is a quad tube
electronic CFL available in 7,11,15,& 20 Watt. It has an integral electronic
ballast, and because it is a quad lamp, it is shorter and fits easily in most
incandescent fixtures. The Dulux EL is not available on a retail basis as
yet, but it is being installed in commercial and industrial locat
ions. The bad news is that it will cost more. The Rocky Mountain Institute
also reports that the Osram Dulux D (a high performance quad tube CFL in
10,13,18,26 watts) and the Dulux D/E (similar to the Dulux D, but capable of
dimming) have no glow switch, and therefore no radioactive materials. The
Philips SL18 with the integrated electronic ballast has no radioactive
material (although the SL18 with the magnetic ballast uses tritium - see
chart), and the longer length Philips PL lamps (18,24,36 watt) are li
kewise radiation-free.



Radioactive Materials in Philips
Compact Fluorescent Lamps

PL Lamps ("twin tube") 5,7,9,13W
less than 330 nCi krypton-85

PLC Cluster Lamps/15mm ("quad tubes") 16,22,28W
- less than 330 nCi promethium-147

PLC Cluster Lamps/1Omm ("quad tubes") 10, 13,18,26W
- less than 500 nCi tritium

SL Lamp with Integrated Magnetic Ballast 18W
less than 110 nCi tritium
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PREPARED BY: FRED DAVIS CORPORATION                            508-359-3610
11/1/89                                              FOR: ENERGY FEDERATION
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MEMO ON RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS FOUND IN COMPACT FLUORESCENTS


Introduction


    This memo attempts to address some questions regarding radioactive
elements in compact fluorescents. The best source to date on this subject is
found on p.232-242 in the latest version (3/88) of The State of the Art:
Lighting, by Amory Lovins, Robert Sardinsky, et al, a part of the Competitek
Service of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). The next edition of this work, due
sometime soon, is reportedly not going to contain any update to this section.
     Since the RMI document covers a lot of the pertinent issues, the present
memo attempts to provide additional information. The sources consulted for
this work were top engineers at each of the major lamp manufacturers. No
independent research or analysis was performed. As cautioned in the RMI
document, the current memo should not be substituted for competent
bioradiological expertise.

Conclusion as to Health Hazard

    The basic conclusion one is left with after reading the RMI report, is
that the amounts of radioactivity in these lamps are truly insignificant.
This memo does nothing to change that basic conclusion. Furthermore, the
author knows of no party claiming anything to the contrary.

Purpose of Radioactive Element

    Compact fluorescents are a type of fluorescent known as preheat design.
This means that a "starter" is needed to generate sufficient voltage to start
an arc flowing between cathodes. In most preheat circuits, the starter is
external to the lamp, but in the compacts, the starter is integral.
    In regular fluorescents, ionization is initiated once a sufficient
voltage exists between a cathode and a grounded conductor, which is usually
the metal body of the fixture. With compact fluorescents, the proximity of a
metal fixture obviously cannot be relied upon. The radioactive elements
(radioisotopes) serve the function of initiating the ionization in the lamp's
starter once there is a voltage potential (that is, once the switch is
thrown). The beta particle emitted (an electron) generates this breakdown.
    It seems that eliminating the radioactivity altogether is possible--
radiation from ambient light can provide the same condition. Manufacturers
claim they would much rather skip the radioisotopes and avoid the significant
regulatory burdens imposed by the NRC. Relying on ambient light to start a
lamp, however, poses some obvious problems. Some claim that reliability would
drop to an unacceptable level if the radioisotopes were not present.
     It is unclear whether Sylvania has gone this route. While since Jan.,
1987, their lamps reportedly contain no intentionally added, artificial
source of radioactivity, sources are careful to say that the company makes no
claims that their lamps are any better than any others in this regard. They
leave open the possibility that another process is performing the same
function. Other sources suggest that, in the U.S. at least, Sylvania may be
doping the contacts with radioactive elements.

Seeming Insignificance of the Problem

    Some interesting statistics are cited by manufacturers to keep the public
aware bf the proper insignificance of the situation. For instance: If one
million lamps were piled up and a Geiger Counter were placed in the middle of
the pile, there would not be enough radiation to cause it to register at all.
Another example: The cumulative radiation dose received by a worker at a lampmanufacturer who is handling the starter elements all the time over a year,
is less than the amount of radiation received by someone in one airplane
trip.

History of Regulation

    The history of this issue is an interesting one. A couple of years ago,
the lamp manufacturers came under the scrutiny of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. -The NRC regulations affected the manufacturers in two ways.
First, the vast quantities of lamps apt to be at a plant added up to a
significant quantity. That is, if hundreds of thousands of lamps were crushed
at once, there would be a level of radioactivity that would require a license
from the NRC. Second, the importing of any level of radioactivity fell under
their jurisdiction. This is even though the levels at issue are below the
minimum standards adopted worldwide, including by the U.S.
    Joint meetings with lamp manufacturers and the NRC resulted in the
present regulatory situation. Each manufacturer now has an exempt-distributor
license from the NRC. With this, the manufacturer can distribute to anyone,
regardless of the volume of product that any customer might potentially
accumulate. Also, maximum allowable levels were set, such as 25 nCi of Kr-85,
and a notification-type of labeling of each product is mandatory. Beyond
that, there is some obvious variation among manufacturers. For instance,
Philips and Panasonic state specific amounts on each product label, Osram
does not.
    There is a possibility that the NRC may come out with Below Regulatory
Concern or BRC, a new regulation which would set standards below which the
agency would not concern itself. This may, presumably, exclude the compact
fluorescent lamps from regulation in the future.

Differences and Similarities Among Manufacturers

    Apart from the discussion above regarding Sylvania, and apart from the
fact that GE representatives could,not be reached for consultation, the
differences found in the chart below are few.
     As to why Philips uses tritium (H3) in the 10-mm quads, they simply
state that they found it to be the most reliable element for starting that
lamp type.
    The differences between the levels reported by Philips and Osram in the
twin tubes is slight, and since these two share sources of starters, it is
likely to be a reporting difference only.
    The 15-mm quads are only really made by Panasonic, and essentially
private-labelled for Philips. Similarly, GE's Compax is essentially private-
labelled by Panasonic for them.
    When studying the chart below, it is important to remember that the
different elements will have differing potentials for biological harm,
depending on their physical and chemical form, and other factors. In order to
judge the relative potential for impact, the reader is again referred to the
RMI report, or some other source on the subject.


RADIATION LEVEL IN EACH COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP
AS REPORTED BY RMI 3/88 AND CURRENTLY
(The following information should be used only with the accompanying memo.)
Generic type:     Twin tubes     Quad tubes    Larger quads    One-piece
Tube diameter:    10-am          10-mm         15-mm           (non-
                                                              electronic)

Typical wattages: 5,7,9,13       9,13          22,28           15
                  ----------     ----------    ----------      ----------


Philips
    Designation:  PL             PLC 10MM      PLC 15MM
    RMI 3/88:     1 nCi Kr-85    <500 nCi  H3
    currently:    <15 nCi Kr-85  <500 nCi  H3  330 nCi Pm-147
    orig mfr:                                  [Panasonic]
Osram
    Designation:  Dulux          Double Dulux
    RMI 3/88:     <12 nCi Kr-85
    currently:    -12 nCi Kr-85  -12 nCi Kr-85

Panasonic
    Designation:                               Quad-tube       Light Capsule
    RMI 3/88:
    currently:                                 330 nCi Pm-147  330 nCi Pm-147

GE
    Designation:  Biax                                         Compax
    RMI 3/88:     <250 nCi Kr-85                               330 nCi Pm-147
    currently:    [not consulted]
    orig mfr:                                                  [Panasonic]

Sylvania
    Designation:  Twin tube      Double twin
    RMI 3/88:
    currently:
    orig mfr:     [in England]
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