Effective Life of UV Bulbs

UV Bulbs have an effective life. Meaning, the bulbs will continue to light even after the gas within the bulb has been eliminated. The gas within the bulb is what produces the UV light, making things fluoresce the various colors.

Over time, the gas within the bulb starts to dwindle. This cannot be detected with the naked eye. As the gas becomes less and less, your analysis will not be correct. Eventually, you will not be able to see nor detect any issues.

Although the UV bulb continues to light and appear purple, the UV bulb’s effective life is over. It is now time to change the UV bulbs.
It is recommended to change “all” of the UV bulbs at the same time.

Woodslamp.net provides a bulb tester with all orders. This way you will know exactly when it is time to change your bulbs.

UV replacement bulbs are available to purchase at http://www.woodslamp.net/Parts.htm

*All fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of Mercury (toxic chemical element)
Please Recycle your old bulbs as per your cities regulations.

Why is Recycling CFLs and UV Bulbs Important?

Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs often break when thrown into a dumpster, trash can or compactor, or when they end up in a landfill or incinerator. Learn more about CFLs and mercury.

Other materials in the bulbs get reused. Recycling CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs allows the reuse of the glass, metals and other materials that make up fluorescent lights. Virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.

Your area may require recycling. Some states and local jurisdictions have more stringent regulations than U.S. EPA does, and may require that you recycle CFLs and other mercury containing light bulbs. California, Maine, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts , for example, all prohibit mercury-containing lamps from being discarded into landfills. Visit www.Earth911.com to contact your local waste collection agency, which can tell you if such requirement exists in your state or locality.

What If I Can't Recycle?

If your state or local environmental regulatory agency permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the regular household trash, seal the bulb in a plastic bag and put it into the outside trash for the next normal trash collection.