There is a huge problem within the reptile industry and it shows no sign of stopping. Every pet store you walk into is selling coil type or compact florescent UV bulbs. They are marketed under at least 3 different brands and they are dangerous and sometimes harmful to use. They can cause eye irritations and even blindness in some cases. DO NOT USE THEM! It is not worth the risk. There are other, better ways to give your tortoises UV.
Early on, when these things first hit the market, there was clearly a problem. The manufacturers/sellers recognized the problem and claimed to fix it. Well they didn't. Just recently I saw a friends bearded dragon with its eyes all bugged out. She called me over to see it because he was "pawing" at his eyes constantly. His eyes were swollen up two or three times normal size. All of her parameters sounded good, so I went over to see the set up in person. As soon as I walked in the room, I saw the problem on top of the cage. Some person at the petstore, with the best of intentions, had sold her a "CFL" type UV bulb. She read the package and it sounded great. I told her that I thought this was the source of her problem. I asked her when her eye problems started. She said, "about a week ago". I asked her, "when did you get this new bulb?" She looked at me and I could almost see the lightbulb in her head go on, "about a week ago...", she said. She removed the bulb and replaced it with a mercury vapor bulb. Within three days the swelling had subsided and the "pawing" stopped. It appears there was no permanent damage and the lizard has been fine ever since.
I realize that this is only one story, and certainly not "scientific" proof. But there are tons of this type of story out there in the world. There are tons of these stories here on the forum. This problem seems to be worse with species that typically bask a lot, and less prevalent with species like redfoot tortoises that tend to avoid bright light. Bulb distance from the reptile is also a factor. The point is: It is NOT worth the risk. Real sunshine during the warmer parts of the year and mercury vapor bulbs for the rest of the year, are a much better UV source anyway, in my opinion. If something about florescent bulbs is useful or necessary for YOUR particular set up, then try the normal longer tube type bulbs. I don't find these to be all that effective for UV, despite what the manufacturers and sellers claim, but they are at least NOT dangerous or harmful.
I don't know what needs to happen to get these things off the market, but since they are a cheaper alternative, many people who do not know otherwise, buy and use them...
Anyone want to start a campaign to get these off the shelves?
Early on, when these things first hit the market, there was clearly a problem. The manufacturers/sellers recognized the problem and claimed to fix it. Well they didn't. Just recently I saw a friends bearded dragon with its eyes all bugged out. She called me over to see it because he was "pawing" at his eyes constantly. His eyes were swollen up two or three times normal size. All of her parameters sounded good, so I went over to see the set up in person. As soon as I walked in the room, I saw the problem on top of the cage. Some person at the petstore, with the best of intentions, had sold her a "CFL" type UV bulb. She read the package and it sounded great. I told her that I thought this was the source of her problem. I asked her when her eye problems started. She said, "about a week ago". I asked her, "when did you get this new bulb?" She looked at me and I could almost see the lightbulb in her head go on, "about a week ago...", she said. She removed the bulb and replaced it with a mercury vapor bulb. Within three days the swelling had subsided and the "pawing" stopped. It appears there was no permanent damage and the lizard has been fine ever since.
I realize that this is only one story, and certainly not "scientific" proof. But there are tons of this type of story out there in the world. There are tons of these stories here on the forum. This problem seems to be worse with species that typically bask a lot, and less prevalent with species like redfoot tortoises that tend to avoid bright light. Bulb distance from the reptile is also a factor. The point is: It is NOT worth the risk. Real sunshine during the warmer parts of the year and mercury vapor bulbs for the rest of the year, are a much better UV source anyway, in my opinion. If something about florescent bulbs is useful or necessary for YOUR particular set up, then try the normal longer tube type bulbs. I don't find these to be all that effective for UV, despite what the manufacturers and sellers claim, but they are at least NOT dangerous or harmful.
I don't know what needs to happen to get these things off the market, but since they are a cheaper alternative, many people who do not know otherwise, buy and use them...
Anyone want to start a campaign to get these off the shelves?