Overexposure to the elemental mercury found in everyday fluorescent light bulbs can lead to seriously debilitating side effects. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims that excessive exposure to the elemental mercury in fluorescent light bulbs can result in serious compromises in cognitive function, possible respiratory failure and possible kidney failure. Certain levels of elemental mercury exposure can be fatal, resulting in death to the exposed party. Consumers who are exposed to any levels of this type of mercury should immediately seek medical attention.
Even the mildest exposure to the elemental mercury in fluorescent lights can lead to negative health effects. According to the EPA, limited exposure to elemental mercury result in emotional changes like nervousness, irritability, mood swings and excessive shyness. Neuromuscular changes like muscle atrophy, twitching and general weakness are also effects of light elemental mercury exposure as well as headaches and nerve response changes.
Overexposure to ultraviolet light can be exceptionally damaging to a person's health. Fluorescent light bulbs emit light in both the visible light spectrum as well as the ultraviolet light spectrum. However, according to the sources at General Electric, the ultraviolet light produced by this type of light bulb is emitted in such limited amounts that the likelihood of a person experiencing negative side effects from overexposure to ultraviolet light is unlikely.