On 5-Apr-2006, willshak wrote:

It is suspected that fluorescent bulbs can cause skin cancer as much as the
sun when used in a tanning bed.

There are fluorescent bulbs and there are fluorescent bulbs. Most nominal white
light bulbs do not emit any significant UV radiation and are safe. Specialty bulbs,
like tanning or "black light" emit UV and should be used with caution..

The bulbs contain mercury, however, the ones with the green ends have less mercury
than the older ones.

Mike