My Blog

Fluorescent Ballasts


A fluorescent lamp ballast is an electrical device required for starting and operating a fluorescent lamp. The ballast provides the high voltage needed to start the lamps by initiating its discharge and then limits the current to a safe value when the discharge is established.

The original U.S. fluorescent ballast efficiency standards for ballasts operating several types of T12 lamps took effect in 1991. New standards that affect ballasts driving the same lamps require that ballasts used in luminaires (for new and renovated buildings) manufactured on or after April 1, 2005 must have efficiencies at levels as high as those of electronic ballasts. Such ballasts sold by ballast manufacturers on or after July 1, 2005 must meet the new efficiency levels. Ballasts incorporated into luminaires by luminaire manufacturers on or after April 1, 2006 must meet the standards. Ballasts used for replacement (existing buildings) have until June 30, 2010 to meet the new standards.

The EES Group conducted technical and economic analyses comparing three kinds of ballasts (magnetic, electronic, and cathode cutout) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). After several rounds of analysis and public workshops between 1994 and 1999, DOE assisted a stakeholder negotiation in October 1999. DOE published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and the Technical Support Document (TSD) in March 2000. These documents are available at DOE's fluorescent ballast website. The spreadsheet models used for the Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) and National Energy Savings (NES) models may also be downloaded from the website. DOE published the Final Rule in September 2000 on the same website. (Note: In the TSD, Appendix B contains documentation for the NES analysis and the Regulatory Impact Analysis, as well as model documentation, in addition to material on Marginal Prices.)

The ballast analysis considered a number of key issues in response to stakeholder comments and questions. (Final stakeholder comments and responses are found in the NOPR.) One of the key analysis issues was to determine the future trend of electronic ballast shipments relative to the total ballast market. EES collected data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Additionally, EES collected data from electric utilities on their demand-side management (DSM) programs for electronic ballasts. This was used as part of the analysis of impacts of non-regulatory programs (see Appendix B of the TSD). EES published an LBNL report on the impacts of DSM programs on the electronic ballast market from 1992 - 1997. Other important issues investigated by EES were whether those facilities that have already installed electronic ballasts are in locations with higher than average electricty prices or greater than average lighting hours.

The analysis estimated primary energy savings from the standards in the range of 1 to 5 quadrillion Btus.

Background Undercabinet lighting fixtures in residential applications typically use halogen or xenon light sources. These sources provide excellent color rendering and light output, ut have relatively low energy efficiency. Until recently, he primary high-efficiency option for undercabinet lighting applications has been fixtures that se linear fluorescent lamps, ypically either T-8 or T-5 products. However, or a variety of reasons, ncluding light quality (perceived or real) nd limited dimming capability, uorescent fixtures are not favored by a significant portion of residential users thus limiting the rate of efficiency improvement via fluorescent sources. Recently, umber of LED undercabinet products have come on the market intended for the residential sector (along with several products for the commercial sector). Even at his early stage, nterest in these products is high because LEDs are seen as a viable solution for the continuing market resistance to fluorescent technology.LED Application A few LED undercabinet fixtures currently on the market are comparable to fluorescent products in terms of energy efficiency and lighting performance, ut LED technology continues to improve rapidly and will surpass fluorescents in the near term (1 to 2 years). In terms of their economics, everal LED products on the market already epresent sound investments, specially in cases where fluorescent alternatives are not being considered. The irectionality of light emitted from LEDs makes them particularly well suited for task lighting applications, here illumination is only needed in a limited range of direction. In contrast, ight sources that mit in 360 degrees lose a fair portion of their lumen output (typically 30% r higher) n directional lighting applications due to the required reflection (and partial absorption) f those lumens emitted outside of the desired pattern. LEDs can deliver light more efficiently to the desired surface. Well-designed LED undercabinet lighting fixtures also offer a number of other attributes that re desirable for this application, ncluding • A low profile, nabling easy concealment beneath the cabinet; • Low operating temperatures, educing burn hazards relative to halogen products; • Dimming capability (a common limitation of inexpensive fluorescent systems); • Long life, otentially resulting in no further replacement required throughout the life of the kitchen;

Import Alert # 31-05
Published Date: 10/02/2009
Type: DWPE with Surveillance
Import Alert Name:
"Herbal Teas Containing Cocaine"

Reason for Alert:
Import Alert #31-05 was originally issued in 1986 in response to a published article (JAMA 1/3/86) which reported that a Peruvian Herbal Tea called "Health Inca Tea" contained cocaine. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) confirmed that they had seized several shipments of this tea in Hawaii, Chicago, Georgia, and other locations on the East Coast. Each analysis they had performed revealed the presence of cocaine. DEA has stated the product may be imported by b(4)                                      and/or by a firm called b(4)                                  

DEA was alerted to the problem previous to 1986 when the military was finding traces of cocaine in individuals who consumed the tea.

The Health Inca Tea label indicated the product was manufactured by "Enaco for Inca Coca Tea Peruana S.A. Lima, Peru." The product label also indicated the product was made from decocainized coca leaves.

In July 1992, Baltimore District discovered and sampled a commercial shipment of tea from Bolivia. The product was labeled in part, "Mates Amancay *C.A.M. Triple Mate Coca-Anis-Manzanilla * Laboratorios Alfa Ltda. * La Paz Bolivia**" with no English labeling. There were 100 tea bags in envelopes per box. CIN-DO confirmed cocaine derivative in the product.

Guidance:
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) continues its interest in this problem and has agreed to take seizure action against any importation of herbal teas containing cocaine. If these products are encountered, contact Mr. Paul Hugentobar at DEA headquarters, telephone number 202-307-4747. Mr. Snyder will inform the local DEA office of the shipment and they will seize it. DO NOT SIGN MAY PROCEED NOTICES which would release shipments.

Product Description:
Peruvian herbal tea called "Health Inca Tea" and Bolivian herbal tea

Black tea
What is it?
Black tea is a product made from the Camellia sinesis plant. The aged leaves and stems are used to make medicine. Green tea, which is made from fresh leaves of the same plant, has some different properties.

Black tea is used for improving mental alertness as well as learning, memory and information processing skills. It is also used for treating headache and low blood pressure; preventing heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and heart attack; preventing Parkinson's disease; and reducing the risk of stomach and colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. It is also used for type 2 diabetes, stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and as a diuretic to increase urine flow. Some people use black tea for preventing tooth decay and kidney stones. In combination with various other products, black tea is used for weight loss.

In foods, black tea is consumed as a hot or cold beverage.

How effective is it?
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for BLACK TEA are as follows:

Likely effective for...

    * Mental alertness. Drinking black tea and other caffeinated beverages throughout the day helps to keep people alert, even after extended periods without sleep.

Possibly effective for...

    * Preventing dizziness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension) in older people. Black tea works for this condition because it raises blood pressure.
    * Reducing the risk of heart attacks. There is some evidence that people who drink black tea have a lower risk of heart attack. If they do have a heart attack, they are less likely to die if they have been drinking black tea for at least a year.
    * Reducing the risk of kidney stones. Women who drink black tea seem to have an 8% lower risk of developing kidney stones.
    * Reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease. There is some evidence from large-scale studies that people who drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and cola have a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. For men, the effects seem to be dose-related. For example, men consuming a total of 421-2716 mg of caffeine daily seem to have the greatest reduction in risk. However, there seems to be a significant reduction in risk even with consumption of as little as 124-208 mg caffeine per day. In women, the effects do not seem to be dose- related. Moderate consumption of caffeine (about one to four cups black tea daily) seems to provide the most reduction in risk. Drinking black tea also appears to reduce the occurrence of Parkinson's disease among people who smoke.
    * Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer. Women who regularly drink tea, including black tea or green tea, appear to have a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who never or seldom drink tea.
    * Reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), especially in women.

Possibly ineffective for...

    * Reducing the risk of stomach, colon, and rectal cancer.
    * Reducing the risk of breast cancer.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

    * Brittle bones (osteoporosis). So far there is some evidence that drinking black tea might be linked to stronger bones in women aged 65-76 years. Drinking black tea also seems to be associated with a lower risk of hip fracture in men and women who are older than 50.
    * Type 2 diabetes. Some research suggests that Japanese adults who drink a cup or more of black tea daily do not have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who drink less than a cup daily.
    * Lung cancer. There is evidence that men who get more chemicals called phytoestrogens in their diet have up to a 27% lower risk of developing lung cancer than men who do not get these chemicals. Green tea and black tea contain phytoestrogens.
    * Stomach disorders.
    * High blood pressure.
    * Vomiting.
    * Diarrhea.
    * Preventing tooth decay.
    * Headache.
    * Reducing the risk of other cancers.
    * Promoting weight loss.
    * Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of black tea for these uses.

How does it work?
Return to top
Black tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It also contains antioxidants and other substances that might help protect the heart and blood vessels.

    Annual domestic retail sales of all types of living room and family
room upholstered furniture total about 30 to 33 million units with a
value of over $20 billion. Furniture manufacturers, especially smaller
firms, commonly market their products through independent sales
representatives who provide information on the market, and get and
service new retail accounts for manufacturers. Recently, some
manufacturers have reduced their reliance on independent
representatives by employing their own salespeople.
    Besides purchasing from manufacturers through independent sales
representatives or the manufacturers' own sales staff, retailers may
purchase furniture from wholesale furniture distributors. These
wholesalers purchase from perhaps 25 to 30 manufacturers of different
types and styles of furniture. The sales staffs of the wholesalers then
call on retailers within their areas. Dealing through local wholesalers
that stock an assortment of furniture, and that also offer competitive
prices, credit, and other services, is advantageous to many retailers,
particularly smaller firms.

Island Wood Products Swing Set Glider Hazard

WASHINGTON, DC -- Island Wood Products of Mableton, GA in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned owners of the Fort Apache, Kitty Hawk, Treetop, Islander, Pirates Fort, and Lookout Tower swing sets. The wooden gliders on these models have protruding bolts that may cause serious head or body laceration to children.

One incident has been reported by a consumer to both CPSC and the firm. A three-year-old received a head injury when he fell under the glider and hit the protruding bolts.

The wooden swing sets were sold at various home improvement and hardware stores in the East from September 1989 through 1991. Approximately 8,500 sets sold for $247 to $550 each.

Consumers who purchased a Fort Apache, Kitty Hawk, Treetop, Islander, Pirates Fort, or Lookout Tower swing set with a glider are urged to discontinue use immediately and discard or destroy these products. The firm is out of business.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.