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Gym light bulbs blamed for sore eyes

bartender187

Bakin in da Sun
Veteran
Gym light bulbs blamed for sore eyes

By JULIA SILVERMAN, Associated Press Writer
Thu Mar 29, 3:19 PM ET

WEST LINN, Ore. - Most people in the Pacific Northwest can hardly wait for the gray winter rains to give way to spring sunshine. But for four teachers from the Portland suburbs, the lengthening days bring only misery, forcing them to stay indoors with the curtains drawn to shield their stinging, sensitive eyes.

The four say their eyes were damaged, perhaps permanently, by ultraviolet radiation from a broken high-intensity light bulb of the sort used in thousands of school gymnasiums, factories, big-box stores and other large spaces all across the country.

At issue are metal halide bulbs, which are about the size of a football and give out bright, white light. The bulbs became available in the 1960s, and millions are in use across the country.

An outer glass envelope normally prevents the release of UV rays. But metal halide bulbs differ from ordinary household bulbs in that when the glass gets broken — say, by a basketball or a volleyball — the inner quartz tube keeps on burning.

Exposure to a broken metal halide bulb can burn the corneas. A small number of cases have been reported across the country and around the world, in Florida and South Dakota, Canada and Australia. Exactly how often it happens is unclear, but some experts suspect many cases go unreported or are mistaken for other conditions, such as pinkeye.

"This is an underappreciated phenomenon," said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University, who is an expert in the field and not involved in treating any of the four Oregon teachers. "We are sure there are many more outbreaks than get recognized."

Federal regulators have acknowledged the dangers but declined to regulate the product, suggesting instead that the bulbs be fitted with durable coverings that offer better protection than the wire cages sometimes used in gyms.

In most cases, the pain goes away in a few days after treatment with over-the-counter drugs. But Kellie La Follette, Denise Fletter, Mary Neerhout Borg and Sherry Rhoades say the pain and sensitivity — which make them feel as if they are chopping onions all the time — have persisted for more than two years.

During a nearly six-hour teacher training session at a Lake Oswego elementary school gym in 2004, three of the women were seated directly under a metal halide bulb that had recently been broken by a volleyball, the teachers say. The fourth woman, Rhoades, was a phys ed teacher who spent hours in the gym every day.

By the time the training session was over, some in the room were complaining of sore eyes, headaches and dizziness. On the way home, Fletter rear-ended a car on the freeway. "The brake lights during rush hour were running together," she said.

La Follette said her eye doctor told her looked like a severe case of snow blindness or welders' burn, clearly indicating UV damage to the corneas — a diagnosis that ultimately helped pinpoint the broken bulb as the source.

All but La Follette are back at work, but they use eyedrops constantly, wear sunglasses all the time, keep the lights dim and restrict their time outside.

"I have a strong faith in me, but I just don't know where this will end up," La Follette said at a recent interview at her home.

The women's doctors have tried all kinds of remedies, including taping the eyes shut and applying a blood serum to the eyes to stimulate growth, to no avail.

"I am frustrated with the lack of progress we have had," said their optometrist, Todd Briscoe. "We don't know how to treat this."

In February, a broken bulb was discovered in a middle school gymnasium in Haywood County, Tenn., after 40 children complained of burning eyes and skin rashes, said Timothy Jones, a state epidemiologist. All recovered within a few days, he said.

Rob McNealey, a contractor from Aurora, Colo., said he spent 10 hours under a broken metal halide bulb at a trade show in Florida two years ago. He said he now suffers from constant migraines and wears specially made moisture-infused goggles.

"I can't give up," McNealey said. "I have little kids. I am 34. I can't fear the daylight." But "they just don't know how to treat it."

Jean Peterson, an accountant from Aberdeen, S.D., said her eyes still haven't recovered, a year after she spent eight hours beneath a broken bulb while watching her son's wrestling match. Snow cover and fireworks make her eyes hurt, she said.

The four Oregon teachers are pushing for a first-of-its-kind state law requiring schools to replace the bulbs with a kind that turns off automatically within 15 minutes after fracturing. Each self-extinguishing bulb costs $12 to $20 more than the standard kind.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has come out against the legislation, saying it would require expensive replacements of light fixtures. Instead, NEMA said, lights in school gyms should have protective coverings made of tough, transparent material such as plexiglass.

Similarly, in December, the
Food and Drug Administration, which claims regulatory authority over the bulbs through its radiological health arm, recommended the use of self-extinguishing bulbs or the protective coverings.

Sean Boyd, chief of the agency's electronic products branch, said the FDA has investigated at least one incident a year for the past few years.

The four women are suing Philips Electronics, which manufactured the bulb. A company spokesman denied any responsibility, saying Philips does not recommend using the lights in places where they could get damaged, such as gyms. Other manufacturers include GE and Sylvania.

"These lights are used worldwide, where children go," La Follette said. "I am completely puzzled as to why there hasn't been a recall."
 

Legit_User

Member
How does the glass stop UV?
I thought it was just a protective jacket so the filament doesn't explode from moisture/objects?
I really need to start wearing sunglasses in the "room".
My eyes are getting worse and I bet those halides don't help any.
Thanks for the heads up.
Stay peaceful
 
G

Guest

I guess you can tell all the growers - cause we're all blind / near blind now.

And I thought it was cause I masterbated too much....
 

Pops

Resident pissy old man
Veteran
Since I am old, my sight,hearing and teeth are pretty much shot anyway. fortunately, i use HPS, so I don't have to worry about anything except a good sunburn.


BTW, GanjaLord, there is no such thing as too much masturbation!
 

blAsia

Member
so according to this article and the one below, it may be better for your plants if your MH gave off UV rays.



Background

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently learned that more than 100 people were exposed to short-wave UV radiation from a broken mercury vapor light bulb at a high school gym. Eighteen people went to the hospital with severe eye and skin burns. Personnel investigating the event confirmed that a broken, non self-extinguishing "R" type metal halide bulb caused the injuries.

Similar incidents have been reported in the past involving “R” type light bulbs installed in open and wire grid fixtures. Most injuries have occurred inside school gyms, after the light bulbs were struck and partially broken by balls or other sports equipment. FDA is not aware of any incidents involving “T” type light bulbs, or involving light bulbs installed in fixtures fully enclosed by glass or plastic.
What are Halide and Mercury Vapor Light Bulbs?

Metal halide and mercury vapor bulbs are bright, long-lasting sources of light, most often used to light streets, gyms, sports arenas, banks, and stores. The bulbs have an inner quartz tube, containing the mercury vapor discharge, enclosed by an outer glass bulb that filters out harmful short-wavelength UV radiation. If the outer bulb breaks and the inner tube continues to operate unshielded, intense UV radiation is emitted. UV exposure at this level can cause eye and skin burns, as well as blurred or double vision, headaches, and nausea.

Types of halide and mercury vapor light bulbs sold in the U.S. include:

* “T” type light bulbs with a self-extinguishing feature that shuts off the light within 15 minutes after the outer bulb is broken. “T” type light bulbs may be used in either open fixtures or enclosed fixtures. FDA requires packaging for “T” type light bulbs to include the following statement:

“This lamp should self-extinguish within 15 minutes after the outer envelope is broken or punctured. If such damage occurs, TURN OFF AND REMOVE LAMP to avoid possible injury from hazardous shortwave ultraviolet radiation.”

* “R” type light bulbs are not self-extinguishing. “R” type light bulbs should only be installed in light fixtures that are fully enclosed by a lens of glass or plastic to shield people from the UV radiation, or in areas where people will not be exposed to UV radiation if the outer bulb breaks. FDA requires packaging for “R” type light bulbs to include the following statement:

"WARNING: This lamp can cause serious skin burns and eye inflammation from shortwave ultraviolet radiation if outer envelope of the lamp is broken or punctured. Do not use where people will remain more than a few minutes unless adequate shielding or other safety precautions are used. Lamps that will automatically extinguish when the outer envelope is broken are commercially available."

Precautions for Facilities that Use Metal Halide and Mercury Vapor Lighting

All schools and other indoor, all-purpose facilities using metal halide and mercury vapor lighting should inspect both the light bulb and the fixture on a regular basis to ensure that they are not broken. With the light fixture turned off,

* Check the light fixture. Replace any fixture that is damaged. Damaged, open fixtures, or fixtures with wire guards DO NOT protect the bulb from breakage and will not protect the public from UV radiation.

* Check the bulbs. Replace any light bulbs that are missing, broken, or punctured.

* Ensure light bulbs are installed in appropriate fixtures. Self-extinguishing “T” type light bulbs should be installed in open fixtures or fixtures with wire guards. Non self-extinguishing “R” type light bulbs should only be installed in light fixtures that fully enclose the light bulb and have a lens of glass or plastic to protect the light bulb from breakage and protect the public from UV radiation.

* School supervisors should make sure that those responsible for the maintenance of these lighting systems fully understand the manufacturer’s warnings on product packaging, as well as Federal, State, and local guidelines to reduce the risks associated with these products.

If a metal halide or mercury vapor light bulb is broken during use,

* TURN OFF THE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY.

* Move people out of the area as quickly as possible.

* Advise people exposed to the damaged bulb to see a doctor if symptoms of skin burns or eye irritation occur.

* Report injuries from damaged light bulbs to the bulb manufacturer, your state health department, and the nearest FDA district office.

* Check to make sure the light fixture is turned off before replacing the damaged light bulb. It is important to retain the broken bulb to identify the bulb type and manufacturer, and to assist with any investigation conducted after the incident.

The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) web site contains:

* Additional information on care and maintenance of high intensity metal halide and mercury vapor lamps used in schools: and

* Best practices for metal halide lighting systems:
 
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G

Guest

MH or HPS multiple 400W or larger if the lamps are above you for any length of time if you don't wear sunglasses you're hurting your eyes.Also use reading glasses when trimming and trim under flourescents.If you havent trimmed with reading glasses you are in for a treat even if your vision is fine.
 
G

Guest

my whole family wares glasses...im pushing 40 and still have perfect vision i hang out under hid all the time without sunglasses...am i doomed...no just stoned....peace...american im going to give the reading glasses a try
 
G

Guest

You should mighty brain of thor,I can guarantee you when you do you will smile when you think of me.And thats rare around here haha.Seriously if you take trimming seriously like I do reading glasses make a difference thats hard to describe.Get the weakest ones you can get.
 
G

Guest

well my friend before i did not care about my trim job...now that i got bubblebags im going to become a very good trimmer lol...peace
 

Rosy Cheeks

dancin' cheek to cheek
Veteran
Legit_User said:
How does the glass stop UV?
I thought it was just a protective jacket so the filament doesn't explode from moisture/objects?

UV filtering typically shuts out radiation wavelengths between 360 and 480 nanometers.
There are several different types of UV filtering patents, and some of them are kept secret. Osram (probably the best UV filtering bulbs) uses what they call a "doped" quartz glass, enriched with UV-absorbent materials which prevents unwanted UV components from being emitted in the light.

Titanium has UV filtering/absorbing qualities, and titanium enriched quartz glass and alloys are commonly used in bulbs, lenses and even anti-UV cosmetics.

Ordinary quartz glass casings let through most of the harmful UV radiation, so that's another good reason for not buying that low-price, low quality Chinese made bulb, but go for the well known bulb manufacturers (Osram, Philips, etc) that respect the safety legislations in your country.

Unless you think it's worth destroying your eye sight in order to gain a few bucks.

Another aspect of dangerous light is what you call "blue light hazard". Here's what Wikipedia has to say on the subject:

Blue-light hazard is defined as the potential for a photochemical induced retinal injury resulting from radiation exposure at wavelengths primarily between 400 nm and 500 nm. The mechanisms for photochemical induced retinal injury are caused by the absorption of light by photoreceptors in the eye. Under normal conditions when light hits a photoreceptor, the cell bleaches and becomes useless until it has recovered through a metabolic process called the “visual cycle.” Absorption of blue light, however, has been shown to cause a reversal of the process where cells become unbleached and responsive again to light before it is ready. This greatly increases the potential for oxidative damage. By this mechanism, some biological tissues such as skin, the lens of the eye, and in particular the retina may show irreversible changes induced by prolonged exposure to moderate levels of UV radiation and short-wavelength light.

In short, the stronger the output, and the more blue the light is, the more dangerous it is for your eyes.
So, in a sense, you could say it's safer to work with High Pressure Sodium bulbs, which emits practically no UV, and pushes towards the red spectrum.
 
i always try to avoid looking in the room without really good sunglasses when the light is on. when i look for awhile, just admiring, i feel it later on. my eyes hurt. dangereous these HIDs.

i'm what's called "photo phobic". if i sit in a room with certain flouros i will be nodding out in about 40 mins. it puts me to sleep. very odd. it only happens in certain rooms though so i avoid them whenever possible. photo phobic. lol. what a name.
 

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