Are Neon Signs Dangerous? - Professional Guide to Safety

In this blog post, I explore the dangers of glass and LED neon signs.

I compare both, look at all aspects of their relative risks, and try to determine answers to the question - Are neon signs dangerous?

Let's answer some of the most common questions about the dangers of neon signs:

Are Traditional Neon Signs Safe?

While traditional neon signs are made using glass, gas, and electricity, there are no new dangers beyond those of the incandescent bulb. What might be surprising to most is that there are still some dangers.

Neon gas is present in the air around us, is an inert gas, and poses no significant risk by itself.

The most significant risk from traditional neon signage is the breakage of the neon tubes, which can shatter as they are created using thin glass. Electric shock is also possible, but it is no more dangerous than any other appliance under normal circumstances.

Here are the most significant risks outlined:

Burns - One of the most significant risks from a neon sign is burns. Neon signs generate considerable heat. They use less than 10% of the electricity to create light, and 90% is wasted and turned into heat. The glass tubes of traditional neon signs will get up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (sometimes up to 250 degrees) - they are not safe to touch and will burn the skin.

Mercury - Neon signs do contain mercury vapor. Mercury vapor is mixed in with various gases to make the neon sign color. There is approximately 0.018oz (500mg) in a neon sign. While this is only a small amount, mercury is quite a dangerous chemical if inhaled, and so all precautions should be taken to ensure that if any of the glass tubes are broken, that the sign is given plenty of time to vent the gas inside.

Shattered Glass - Traditional neon signs are made with glass tubes. They are dangerous when they break as the glass is thin and can cut easily. If you are handling a damaged neon sign, use thick garden gloves and a shirt with sleeves, and avoid holding the sign near your body.

Pro tip: The three unsafe aspects of glass neon signs are being burned by the hot glass tubes, inhaling mercury gases inside the tubes, and being cut by a broken glass tube. Avoid touching or breaking the glass tubing, and you will unlikely have any safety issues.

Is Neon Gas Dangerous?

Neon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe; however, only 0.0018% of Earth's atmosphere is neon. Neon is odorless and colorless.

The human body and all animals on Earth consume neon when they breathe. No known risks are associated with breathing in neon gas at naturally occurring concentration levels.

However, at higher levels of exposure, humans can experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, and altered vision. There have been no known fatalities from ingesting or breathing neon gas.

Pro tip: You never get sick from avoiding exposure. Take the safe approach and avoid being around a broken neon sign for a day or twt, the mercury vapor will have disper after thatsed.

Are the Gases in Neon Signs Dangerous?

Neon signs often contain more than just neon gas inside; they have several other chemicals.

In terms of neon gas, a reasonably sized neon sign will have only 0.28 to 0.5 oz (8-15ml) of actual gas. This amount of gas is considered very small, and if a neon sign were to leak or release the gas inside, it shouldn't affect anyone near it.

Neon signs also contain mercury, which is a risk. While only in small quantities inside the neon sign, it's best to avoid contact with the gases released from broken glass tubes on a neon sign—air the sign well and take it to a repairer.

Pro tip: The quantity of neon gas is so small that the gas contained within glass neon signs presents no significant risk to humans. However, the mercury inside the tube does present a risk to the human body. Air the sign well to vent all of the gases and take the sign to a professional repairer to fix it.

How to dispose of a broken neon sign?

If you own a broken neon sign and cannot find someone to fix it, you must dispose of it correctly. Fortunately, neon signs can be treated identically to fluorescent lighting, and you can recycle them.

Pro tip: Use a Google search to find fluorescent light recyclers nearby.

Are LED Neon Signs Safe?

LED neon signs present no dangers - they use low voltage, 12 volts, and aren't a threat of electric shock. They don't get hot and are safe to the touch even after hours of use. They don't contain any gases or dangerous chemicals.

Pro tip: LED neon signs have no safety concerns or risks. They can safely be used indoors, near people, and produce minimal heat.

Maintaining Neon Signs

It's super easy to clean a neon sign - read my blog post on how to clean a neon sign.

Neon signs, both glass and LED neon, will last for decades with regular cleaning and proper maintenance.

Conclusion - Neon Signs or LED Neon Signs?

Now that I've covered this topic in great detail, it's relatively easy to understand and compare the dangers of glass neon signs to LED neon signs.

Glass neon signs are inefficient and come with a few risks - while the chance of being impacted by those risks is slight, they are still present and must be weighed before purchase.

LED neon signs, on the other hand, are safe, cheap, more energy efficient, and brighter.

For these very reasons, we make all of our neon signs using LED neon flex.

If you would like to talk to one of our team of professional neon sign designers, please use our form to request a free concept design and quote.