Ann Whiteside, age 12, of Cook, Minnesota, for her question:

Are fluorescent bulbs dangerous to children and pets?

Andy's young pen pals are growing interested in the big story of mankind's involvement with the total realm of nature. In everyday questions they seek for explanations that help them to cope with the opposing sides that go with every problem. Andy sees two of these fascinating features in this question    and mentions them for the many who like to probe for the deep truths of life in general.

There is mature wisdom behind today's question, perhaps because 12 year olds are freer from the rather selfish sexual drives that tend to overwhelm the later years of adolescence. People in the past expressed this wisdom when they said, "First tend those who cannot tend themselves." This meant their young children, their farm animals and pets. Naturally, this sane concept is at the root of maturity and social progress.

Another feature behind the scenes concerns a law expressed centuries ago by young Isaac Newton. For every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. Physicists claim this law, but it also applies to all aspects of everyday life. The Age of Science showers us with inventions and gadgets intended to improve our daily lives. But each one brings a new factor with the same old qualities of action and reaction    advantages and disadvantages.

The ordinary electric bulb enhanced our lives with more light, for less cost and inconvenience. But shocks lurk in the plugs and wires, splintered glass from broken bulbs is a hazard to young and old. So to enjoy the light bulb's advantages, we learn to avoid its few disadvantages. The same two fold feature was there when the superior fluorescent tube was invented. It can shed more light for our money and enhance the scene with seven radiant rainbow colors. But, as usual, it presented us with its own set of bewares. And, as usual, its advantages surpassed its few disadvantages.

Persons qualified to install a fluorescent tube observe the bewares, usually included in the package. We are told that the razzle dazzle tube sheds a cool light. But it's not that cool, so don't be tempted to touch it with a scorchable finger. Several more serious hazards are unleashed when a tube gets broken. Yes, this can be dangerous to children and pets    and also to adults who ignore the cautions.

The broken tube pops with a small explosion, scattering dangerous splinters of glass. This happens because its very thin argon or neon gas was sealed inside under pressure, eager for a quick chance to escape. All shattered glass is a hazard. But a fluorescent tube is lined with powdery phosphorous chemicals. Living cells need some form of phos¬phorous in small diluted doses. But pure white phosphorous oxidizes in the air with choking fumes and corrodes living tissue. Its light giving forms may be poisonous, even when they enter a scratch. If splinters from a shattered fluorescent tube stab the skin, they may cause very serious wounds.

This accident calls for a series of cautious actions. First, remove children and pets from the scene. It_may be safest to call an expert to capture and dispose of the last lingering sliver    and install a new fixture. These precautions are our part of the bargain. In return, we get a cool, super brilliant tube, plus something extra. Ordinary light bulbs use up three times more electric current to equal its illumination.