Swiss government commissioned study: “Assessment of EM Exposure of Energy-Saving Bulbs & Possible Mitigation Strategies”

Jagadish Nadakuduti, Mark Douglas, Myles Capstick, Sven Kühn, Stefan Benkler, and Niels Kuster
Project BAG/08.004316/434.0001/-13 & BFE/15350, 83pp., 21 March 2010

Scientifically sound instrumentation, methods and procedures were developed for the EM exposure assessment of energy-saving bulbs (ESBs — also called compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs). Novel equipment was developed for the measurement of the field values that would be induced inside the human body. Using different numerical models in various postures, the measured induced current densities were translated to human exposure. The field levels in eleven compact fluorescent ESBs, as well as two long fluorescent tube lights, two incandescent bulbs and two LED bulbs, were measured. The maximum induced current densities (at a distance of 20mm) were comparable to the ICNIRP limits after adjusting for exposure in human body models (relative values ranged from 9% to 56%). Thus it cannot be concluded from this study that energy saving lamps per se meet the ICNIRP Guidelines. The measured induced field levels were considerably higher for ESBs than for LED bulbs or incandescent bulbs. The IEC 62493 standard can be improved by adopting the procedures and equipment described in this report.

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