On November 12th, 2004, my wife Kellie and approximately 80 other teachers were exposed to UV radiation from a broken Philips Lighting type "R" Metal Halide light bulb during an in-service training session in a local school gym. Many ended up in emergency rooms that evening with burns to their eyes and exposed skin. Kellie and I want to get the word out about the dangers of exposure to Ultraviolet Light from broken type "R" Metal Halide Bulbs. To that end we have collected links to articles and warnings from the media, government agencies, and others.   Please visit these sites to learn more about the accident and the dangers these lights can pose. 

  One thing that is not mentioned in these reports is that at this time, over 2 years after the accident, five teachers are still suffering the effects of their exposure. Their recovery is uncertain, but we are hopeful. The driving force behind this effort is we don't want anyone to have to endure the pain and suffering these teachers have. Please help us by sending a link to this site to your child’s school, your warehouse manager, or anyone you might think works or plays under these types of lights. Together we can keep this from happening to others. 

 If you or someone you know has been  injured by UV radiation from a broken metal halide light please contact us and tell your story. This is not an isolated incident. The more we know the better we can prevent other injuries. Email us at uvlightburns@comcast.net

SPECIAL UPDATE!!!!!!

Update: 6/11/07 Governor Kulongoski signs SB 479 into law banning type R metal Halide lights from Oregon Schools! Kellie and Joel La Follette look on and celebrate this victory!

Update: 5/4/07 Kellie has returned from the Boston Foundation for Sight with a new set of scleral lenses.

Update:4/20/07  We would like to congratulate Gary Geissman and the entire NASCAR Ginn Racing Team for leading the way in safety for their team by replacing the lights in their 188,000 sq. ft. shop with self-extinguish metal halide lights. 

Update:4/9/07 We've posted with permission the AP story by Julia Silverman.

Update: 4/4/07 Senate Bill 479 has passed in the Oregon Senate 28 to 1. Please read SB 479 and the testimonies listed. This is just a start, we need to bring this message to the public and keep it there! Contact your State Senator or Representative and tell them to support this bill!

 Also ask them to put the power to protect Oregonians back in the hands of Oregonians by repealing the SOUR law and supporting HB 2909.

Thanks for visiting and thank you for your support.

Warmest regards,
Joel & Kellie La Follette