There was a time when no one thought about light bulbs—one
blew, you screwed another one in. Nowadays, it’s more complicated, as energy
efficiency concerns have given rise to a slew of options, including incandescent,
compact fluorescent lights, and light emitting diodes.
LEDs are the most expensive option, but they are also the
most energy efficient, are getting more cost-efficient, and they are growing in
popularity. With this increasing acceptance, concerns have arisen about
long- or short-term direct skin
exposure—especially since a 2012 SBU study found that contact fluorescent light
(CFL) bulbs can harm skin cells due to UV-light emittance.