BACKGROUND

Previously considered safe for typical use, concerns have recently been expressed regarding the potential effect of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) on human skin and, in particular, on skin cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to address this concern by reviewing the current literature on CFLs, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and photocarcinogenic exposure.

RESULTS

On average, the UV radiation from CFLs and subsequent carcinogenic exposure is lower than that from incandescent bulbs. However, defective bulbs can emit higher levels of UV radiation, which may cause significant damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review calls for further investigation to determine how frequently these bulbs are sufficiently defective to lead to adverse effects.