Low-energy bulbs 'could cause skin cancer'

Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 05/01/2008        

Using environmentally-friendly light bulbs can be bad for your skin, say doctors.

Energy-saving light bulbs blamed for migraines

The new energy-saving bulbs produce a more intense light and can exacerbate a range of existing skin problems.

New energy-saving bulbs produce more intense light

Now it is feared that thousands of people may be unable to use electric light in their own homes, visit family and friends, or have access to employment and public services if the government's plan to phase out the normal variety of incandescent lighting goes ahead without exemptions.

The warning has been issued by Spectrum, an alliance of charities working with people with light sensitive conditions, and the British Association of Dermatologists.

It comes after the Migraine Action Association warned the energy-saving light bulbs could trigger migraines.

The government wants to phase out traditional, incandescent bulbs by 2011 but no allowances have been made for people suffering from light sensitive conditions who often suffer severe and painful reactions to fluorescent lighting and other forms of non-incandescent lighting.

Spectrum is running a campaign to raise awareness of the impact on people's health in response to the government decision to ban incandescent light bulbs. They claim as many as 340,000 people could be affected.

Andrew Langford, chief executive officer of the Skin Care Campaign, one of the charities involved, said: 'Incandescent light bulbs are the only source of electric light for many thousands of people with light sensitive conditions.

'Add to this the thousands of people whose conditions or treatments may secondarily cause them to be light sensitive, and you have a large number of people potentially being isolated in the dark.

'The government simply must allow incandescent light bulbs to be available to these people, their families, friends and employers, and at a fair price.'

Dr Colin Holden, President of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: 'It is important that patients with photosensitive skin eruptions are allowed to use lights that don't exacerbate their condition.

'Photosensitive eruptions range from disabling eczema-like reactions, to light sensitivities that can lead to skin cancer. It is essential that such patients are able to protect themselves from specific wavelengths of light emitted by fluorescent bulbs, especially as they are often trapped indoors because they can't venture out in natural sunlight.'

Spectrum is urging the government to maintain the availability of incandescent light bulbs purely to those who affected, which will enable the protection of the environment without penalising those unable to live with fluorescent lighting. One option could simply be to allow the purchase of environmentally-friendly, energy efficient incandescent light bulbs which GE Consumer and Industrial is currently developing and hopes to market in 2010.

Spectrum argues that the total social exclusion for thousands of vulnerable, sick and disabled people, resulting from an unconditional ban, would contradict many other policies of the government, including Disability Equality Duty, which came into force on 4 December 2006, and the Green Paper on Welfare Reform published in January 2006.

Taken from the Telegraph website

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/01/05/eabulb105.xml

Energy-saving light bulbs blamed for migraines

By Laura Clout

Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 03/01/2008

The energy-saving light bulbs that will be made compulsory in homes in a few years can trigger migraines, campaigners have claimed.

The Migraine Action Association (MAA) said some of its members alleged the fluorescent bulbs had led to attacks of the powerful headaches.

Some energy-saving bulbs may triggers headaches

By 2011, Britain will be the first European country to phase out traditional bulbs as part of a strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The MAA is calling on the Government to avoid a complete ban on old-style bulbs, by providing an opt-out for people with health problems.

Last year it was claimed that the "green" bulbs can cause people with epilepsy to experience symptoms similar to the early stages of a fit.

There have also been complaints from people with lupus, a chronic immune disease that causes pain and extreme tiredness.

Low energy light bulbs use only a quarter of the energy consumed by traditional versions and are estimated to save 2,000 times their weight in greenhouse gases.

They are often five times more expensive but the greater efficiency means they can pay for themselves within months.

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Several versions use a technology similar to fluorescent strip lights and some migraine sufferers say they produce a flickering effect that triggers their condition.

Karen Manning, from the MAA, said: "When the Government announced that traditional light bulbs would be phased out, we were inundated with over 200 calls and emails from members who said the flickering had caused migraines.

"This is a debilitating condition which can often leave people bed-ridden for days.

"The bulbs do not necessarily affect every sufferer, but we are talking about up to six million people in the UK who suffer migraines - so this is a serious concern.

"We would ask the Government to avoid banning them completely and leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased."

The Lighting Association, which represents manufacturers, denied that modern designs produced a flicker.

A spokesman said: "A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear fluorescent lamps. These were almost certainly triggered by old technology."

Taken from the Telegraph website

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/01/03/eabulb103.xml

The Below was taken from The Department for Enviroment Food and Rural Affairs Website http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Are these bulbs bad for my health?

Energy efficient light bulbs are not a danger to the public.

However, we are aware of anecdotal evidence that the use of these bulbs could have adverse effects on some people’s health and are working with the lighting industry and the Department of Health to resolve these issues.

Like many household products, they must be disposed off sensibly and there are suitable facilities available for this purpose. Although they contain mercury, it cannot escape from a lamp that is intact. In any case, the very small amount contained in an energy efficient bulb is unlikely to cause harm even if the lamp should be broken.

Do they cause epilepsy?

No – the new generation of energy efficient bulbs operate on a higher frequency than earlier models, which means a constant, flicker-free light. If your light does flicker it may be old and need replacing or it may be an ‘early generation’ bulb. We’d encourage people to look for the ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ label which means the bulb has met Energy Savings Trust criteria and standards.

Will they give me a migraine?

We have received anecdotal reports that a small number of people may have experienced problems. This is a concern to us and we will ensure that there are no unintended consequences of the voluntary phase out.

Again, it’s worth noting that the new generation of energy efficient bulbs operate on a higher frequency than earlier models, which means a constant, flicker-free light. As the technology evolves, the bulbs will continue to improve. We’d encourage people to look for the ‘Energy Saving Recommended’ label which means the bulb has met Energy Savings Trust criteria and standards.

But I’m photosensitive.

When the original energy saving bulbs (for example straight fluorescent tubes) were first introduced, they operated at mains frequency which caused problems for people who are especially sensitive to flickering light. This has now been resolved and all energy saving bulbs operate at high frequency, reducing flicker to less than would be experienced by watching a computer monitor or TV.

We are aware that there are still a minority number of people who claim the use of fluorescent lights in particular could be a problem. The Government is working to consider how to avoid any unintended consequences from the phase out of inefficient light bulbs. The Government would consider the full range of impacts of any mandatory policy measure before it is introduced and will continue to work with stakeholders to avoid any unintended adverse impacts.

Are they bad for my skin?

We have received anecdotal reports that a small number of people may find they experience problems. This is a concern to us and we will ensure that there are no unintended consequences of the voluntary phase out. While this may effect only a small minority of people, we will find a way to accommodate their needs if necessary, working with the lighting industry and the Department of Health to resolve any health issues.

Do CFLs contain mercury?

Yes, they need mercury to generate light efficiently. The mercury is used to produce ultraviolet light, which is then changed into light we can see by a special coating in the lamp. The coating is inert and poses no health risk.

Nowadays, the typical amount is around 4 milligrams per lamp – just enough to cover the tip of a ball point pen and just enough to last the expected life-time of the lamp.

Will CFLs cause less mercury to be emitted to the environment than standard light bulbs?

Over the life time of both lamp types, energy efficient bulbs produce less mercury. This is due to the fact that mercury is emitted from power stations during electricity generation and energy saving bulbs are more energy efficient – therefore saving on the amount of electricity that needs to be generated.

Of course, we’ve done a lot to reduce mercury emissions in the UK in recent years. Total emissions have fallen by 80% since 1990 and stand at 7.6 tonnes a year (2005 NAEI figures - see www.airquality.com); power generation accounts for about 31% of this total.

Does the mercury in a CFL pose a risk?

The mercury cannot escape from an intact lamp and, even if the lamp should be broken, the very small amount of mercury contained in a single, modern CFL is most unlikely to cause any harm. 

But it makes sense to avoid unnecessary contact with mercury; and any light bulb – broken or intact – should be dealt with sensibly.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/household/products/cfl.htm