More likely coming from some part of the electronic circuitry in the base of the CFL that takes the line power and converts it to the voltages and current that the lamp's tube requires... like the old iron 'ballasts' in tube-type fluorescent fixtures. Electronic circuit parts and circuit boards might give off those chemicals when heated. I am an electrical, not chemical engineer.

It is a consideration, money is fleeting, esp. with the current D.C. crowd coming for it. Another consideration is the reputation and willingness of the producer to stand behind their product, that is a big one for me. I worked on the Ohio Lemon Law when in DeWine's office, and saw how important that was. Any producer can have an issue, as long as they stand by making it right. Actually, I will pay more for a product if the seller has prove their integrity in the past. That is not to say I believe in the rip off extended warranties, excuses for no quality control.

I don't believe in buying something cheap that is not well-made, Stormi or, if it's food, that is healthy. Still I like what you're saying. Money is most definitely not the only criterion when deciding to buy something. It *is* an important one, though!

Hi Lucky:) I like the idea of a label saying "Made with pride." My problem is why assume that label was made by a USA company? I'd feel great if a Chinese firm had a similar label. Why not? As I see it, at bottom we really are all brothers. I see no reason not to enjoy the good product of a Russian or a Chinese the same as that of an American. It's one reason why, when people talk about limiting folks who want to come over our borders, I disagree with them. Sure, I want folks' identities to be checked thoroughly. I don't want terrorists, murderers, rapists, or thieves to come over our borders.And those would-be immigrants have got to pay for that research, if necessary via charitable foundations here. Beyond that, though, I'm pretty open. If a person comes here without money, but with a dream, who lives for a while on private charitable grants until he can work for a living, I'm for it! Likewise, if someone can succeed in China making fine products, I say, "'Fine for him!"

Some of the issue seems to be from putting the bulbs in fixtures, which means the more the heat is trapped, the more chance of the emissions. You can find articles in The Telegraph and on GreenMaze.com. Those cited in the German study were Peter Braun of the Berlin Alab Laboratory and Andreas Kirchner of the Federation of German Engineers. Abraham Haim of Haifa University in Israel says that the CFL blue light disrupts the production of melatonin and could cause cancer, as well.
In an article, "The Dark Side of CFLs" in GreeMaze. com, Walt McGinnis, a licensed Canadian electrician and electromagnetic radiation tester, said the CFLs emit electromagnetic radiation, which has proven harmful to people, causing a variety of illnesses. He also says that 1 average CFL contains 2,5-5.0 mg of Mercury, and multiplied by the number in each house, then times the numbers of CFLs in a country, is an enormous amount of Mercury going into landfills, which do not stay contained, but find their way into groundwater. He suggests the carbon footprint of each person will actually increase with the use of CFLs.
If you read German, which I do not, German TV MARKT has an online segment available, as does Die Welt. I see huge costs being passed on to the citizens, as safe and costly disposal will suddenly be mandated. I also suspect we will see a limitation of lighting used to control us, much as in "Anthem." Some European countries, Romania being one, who have gone heavily UN Agenda 21, are already seeing cost increases and limitation of lights, A/C and refrigeration of food.

Actually, I was not implying American products were necessarily well made, especially with the current unions taking responsibility from the workers. However, as much as I hate regulations, we do have cleaner standards in production than China or some other countries. We can drive by plants or even go inside if they are here, we can file lawsuits. In China, we do not have that access, and we have seen bad things in the contents of toothpaste, pet food, toys and an endless array. We have no idea what is put on fabric before we wear it. The point is, we need to be aware and cautious buyers, and protect ourselves. I will not buy just because something is cheap, it has to be safe and well made, no matter from what country it comes. We need to be responsible buyers, and Congress has not led us in that direction, ie: CFLs. It is not just China, there are unsanitary sweat shops all over the world, and they are bad for workers and bad for the buyers. Just recently there was a problem with the safety of fish from China for grocery stores Yes, we have had issues with fish farming in the south US also, but we are quicker to pick up on those issues and mitigate damage if they are closer. German goods are excellently engineered, Brits makes some fine products,Japanese electronics has made it possible for us to have things we might not have been able to afford. Bottom line, price cannot be the end all in the equation.. The Internet has given us a fantastic tool for exchange of information on the safety and quality, or lack thereof,of products which other buyers have experienced. China does not abide by the same eco-constraints used against US corps., and thus pollute more freely. I have seen the effects of the US moving production across the border into Mexico, near El Paso, and the horrible smells and filth they come from them. The cattle feedlots along the border. on the US side, are enough to make you sick. A drastic change from when I lived there. Our daughter, as a young adult, actually got Mercury poisoning from a diet of imported cheap fish and had to be treated at OSU.

Actually, according to a German study of CFL bulbs:
"But the German scientists claimed that several carcinogenic chemicals and toxins were released when the environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were switched on, including phenol, naphthalene and styrene:"
IN addition, multiple doctors have advised users to keep their heads at a distance from the bulbs, some have reported skin problems from frequent CFL users, as well as other health issues.

Yes to Mike.
Where I lived some years ago, many items of clothing had a label inside, it said something like,
"Made with pride by members of local....".
I would not be the only one willing to pay extra for that label.
I may not think the same today, but it should be the choice of the buyer.

You seem to be implying that American made products are good. Yet there are plenty of badly made American products as well. Maybe more Chinese products are bad, but there are some good ones, as well. The idea is to be an individualist. To treat each maker of a product as an individual, rather than to say, "It's Chinese, and therefore, it is inferior to American made products."

It depends, sometimes, you get exactly what you pay for - cheap, toxic and inferior. Our daughter is now grown, but you have seen so many toys from China containing toxic chemicals. I never wear new clothing without washing it first, again no idea what was put in or on the material. How about toothpaste? And then there are the lovely CLF bulbs, which give off three chemicals when they are lit.