Tube lighting is traditionally powered by fluorescent bulbs; these have a number of disadvantages, both for the person using them and for the environment. The tone and quality of the light produced by fluorescent bulbs means that people who are regularly exposed to them for several hours a day can suffer from headaches and other conditions. Fluorescent contains mercury and other gases that can make them dangerous to humans, so maintaining and replacing them can be difficult and time consuming as they must be treated as hazardous waste when disposed of.
In contrast, the LED tubes that have been designed as an easy drop-in replacement for these fluorescent bulbs contain no mercury or toxic gases. As they contain no chemicals or toxins, they can be disposed of as regular waste. They also consume less than 60% of the energy used by fluorescent bulbs, with a lifespan of between 50,000 and 10,000 hours, making them highly cost-effective. Their operating temperature is only 100 degrees, not only helping to protect the fixture and surrounding surfaces, but making it easier to remove or replace the lighting without having to wait for it to cool down first. Most LED Tube Lights can fit well in the traditional fluorescent tube light fixtures – the only requirement is to either remove or bypass the ballast and starter if it's there. As there is no need for a ballast, much of the effort of later replacing the tubes is removed. Perhaps most importantly, the light quality of these replacement tubes is far less straining and unpleasant to the eyes.
