[RFI] CFL's & UV - Hoax or Real? Real but Overstated?

[Andy]

All fuoroescents generate UV; CFLs are no exception.  The UV hitting the
inside coating of the glass causes it to glow (fluoresce) with visible
light; and that's how they generate light.  The glass hopefully blocks the
UV.  (UV "black lights" omit the coating and use glass that is more
transparent to UV.)

CFLs may differ if they use thinner glass or something less opaque to UV;
and because standard long fluorescents were most often found in high
ceilings, not desk lamps right next to us.  Could indeed be real.

But it's also likely to become the reason for every possible symptom known
to man.

Andy