The cool end of my enclosure was slightly on the dark side, so I put in a low wattage compact fluorescent bulb. I know that alot of people have experienced health problems from using the compact UVB bulbs, so my question would be, is it the compact design itself that is harmful, or is it something that is specific to the UVB-producing bulbs that creates the issue? Should I remove the non UVB bulb?
I agree that the use of Non UVB producing CFLs are ok for illumination. As I understand it, normal houshold CFLs have an internal coating preventing or reducing the UV output from them. The reptile CFLs have less or a different coating allowing certain amounts of UV output from them.
If I look directly at a CFL and then look away I see spots like crazy and get dizzy. However other bulbs do not have the same effect. now imagine that this bulb is in you reptiles face all the time. I think it could be problematic. If you are going to use a CFL use a daylight CFL.