Invisible <voi### [at] devnull> wrote:
> We're having trouble with the florescent lighting in our kitchen. It
> seems to take an absurdly long time for the light to turn on.
>
> Is that likely to be due to the tubes or the starter?

Starter, or tube if the ends are grey.

If you replace the tube, be careful. Fluorescent tubes, like the low energy
bulbs, contain mercury in milligram amounts. But since 'safe' levels are usually
measured in micrograms, care may be indicated.

If you do break the tube (and I have broken several tubes/EFL bulbs without
noticing anything amiss afterwards), open the windows, shut the door and wait 15
minutes. Most of the vapour will have dispersed by them.

Wipe up by hand. A vacuum cleaner will just convert much of the remaining
phosphor dust to airborne.

Having said that, you could probably break 100 florescent tubes, do all the
wrong things and still feel no ill effects.

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