Low-intensity red LED (light emitting diode) Christmas lights chain, according to eight times the amount of lead allowed by California law, while the white bulb is less than the color of lead, they have high levels of nickel, according to a University of California, Irvine team of researchers of the University of California, Davis.

 

Oladele Ogunseitan, chairman, co-author of the study, University of California, Irvine, Ministry of Population Health and Disease Prevention, said: "I did not expect the full range of chemicals leach out. He said the study, published in January 2011 environmental science and technology issues, is the first to examine the toxic chemicals LED.

 

ogunseitan told the Green House, and consumers at risk, unless the bulb to break. In this case, he suggested to the user with a special broom to clean up debris, while wearing gloves and masks. He said tiny red LED is a "hazardous waste" and should not be thrown in the trash.

 

Exaggerated the risk of the potential of LED, "said Terry McGowan of American Lighting Association, the trade group. "LED is solid metal and plastic parts," he said. "They are not broken like a glass bulb, there will be no gas may escape, not easy to burn, melt, dissolve or break apart." He said, adding that small screw version of the hammer or pliers will need in-house. "

 

The study comes as consumers congressional authorization Th0mas Edison's incandescent light bulbs to begin next year, 100-watt light bulb out of the anxiety. California began last month eliminated, one year in advance. Some consumers complain that compact fluorescent lamps or energy saving lamps on the grounds that its light weight, tiny mercury content, there is a need for special disposal. There is a widening between the House Republican members to promote the abolition of the ban on incandescent lamps.

 

"We did not find any mercury LED Ogunseitan said he was still" surprised "and other metal levels in small, multi-colored lights. "Lead is a main concern."

 

Red, yellow and green traffic lights, incandescent and family to replace the car headlights and brake lights. However, they will not be published these findings until they are reviewed in a few months counterparts. ogunseitan said, these LEDs also contain toxic chemicals.

 

"I still think," LED is a new generation of lighting Ogunseitan, Toxic Substances Control in California Green Ribbon Science Panel members. Although still expensive, light-emitting diodes use less than 85%, many incandescent energy and last 25 times as lonely.

 

However, he added: "They should be carefully evaluated before large-scale sales."