OT: Full Spectrum Lights

December 31, 2007

Just this evening I purchased a 13watt fluorescent bulb that is

supposed to replace a 60 watt incandescent bulb. The fluorescent bulb

was made by Sylvania, cost $2 more than the other fluorescent bulbs,

and was labeled as " full spectrum " . No where on the label is any

color temperature listed. (that's a big flag)

The " full spectrum " label is a lie.

It is now about midnight and completely dark outside. The bulb was

placed into a standard coffee table lamp. The bulbs light output was

checked with my hand held spectroscope. The spectroscope shows

absolutely no difference in light output compared to a standard

fluorescent bulb.

A spectroscope is a hand held prism that takes light and splits it

into the component colors. Daylight looks like a rainbow as daylight

has all of the colors of the rainbow.

Fluorescent light typically has two strong bands at red and green.

Incandescent lights typically have much red and orange light.

Full spectrum bulbs were purchased from Mercola's website. Those

bulbs did live up to their label claim of full spectrum.

Light bulbs which were intended for lizard cages were purchased from a

pet food store. The light bulbs do meet their label claim of extra UV

light. The label also claims that the bulbs enhance appetite and

mating. The lizard bulb did not meet the latter label claim.

The spectroscope was purchased from Sargent-Welch for $7.75.

short web link: (this gets you very close)

This is sort of a cheap and dirty instrument, but they really work! I

taught chemistry at the local university for a couple of semesters and

we used these in the 1st year lab classes. These are great for

showing that virtually all of these " full spectrum " claims are

complete bunk.

I was certain that the light I purchased would be a standard

fluorescent. For me I looked at the extra $2 as entertainment. Now I

get to use my spectroscope, disprove the label claim, and complain :-)

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