No, the pigments are natural, non-toxic, non-radioactive and heavy metals content is twenty times lower than the limit imposed by the stringent U.S. regulations.
The physical principle of photo-luminescence is eternal. By laboratory testing, we can say that after 10 years, the photoluminescent pigment does not degrade at all. Else instead are the supports used; in this case, the duration of the photoluminescence is equal to that of the substrate or paper, plastic, glass, wood, etc.
Due to its very low content of heavy metals and small amount of pigment gener- ally used in applications, photoluminescent products can be recycled according to the support that hosts them (paper, plastic, wood, undifferentiated).
Of course, the photoluminescent effect can be obtained also with a normal light bulb, provided that this also emits a minimum amount of light in the excitation spectrum of pigment. Normally energy saving incandescent bulbs, neon tubes and light bulbs achieve a decent result, as long they are exposed for about 10-15 minutes.
The best method and also the least expensive to charge the pigments is to expose them in the sunlight for about one minute. The emission spectrum of the sun is the most complete and the best for our pigments.
Please note that each light source is more powerful than the light provided by photoluminescence. The photoluminescent effect duration is equal to approx- imately 8 hours and is only visible in complete darkness. During the first 10-15 minutes, the light provided is visible then it begins to decay; after about 1 hour it is reduced by about 90% and then stabilized at that level for about 7 hours, despite being always visible.