Health warning for low energy bulbs

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in Britain has issued a warning about low energy bulbs saying the ultraviolet light emitted could cause the skin to redden.

According to the HPA being closer than 30cm (1ft) to some compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs for long is inadvisable but there is no evidence that such bulbs pose a cancer threat.

The HPA says enclosed CFL lights - where the coil is covered like a traditional bulb - are safer, as UV light equivalent to being outside on a sunny day is being emitted by some bulbs, but if the coil is not visible the issue is prevented.

The HPA apparently investigated the issue with the energy-saving light bulbs after being approached by groups representing people who suffer from light sensitivity issues.

The HPA says testing revealed the potentially high levels of UV light and has now issued guidelines against people using unencapsulated light bulbs closer than 30cms to the body for more than one hour a day.

The agency says the advice is precautionary and people should not think of removing these energy saving light bulbs from their homes as there is no risk of skin cancer and the worst effect is that people could have some short-term reddening of their skin.

The HPA have called on the EU, manufacturers and the bodies which set standards related to the bulbs, to work on tightening the rules regarding the bulbs and their use as about one in five unencapsulated bulbs was found to have UV radiation emissions from a pool of 20 encapsulated and 53 unencapsulated which were tested.

The HPA says the research suggests the problem may be caused by issues such as phosphor, bends in the glass or the quality of the glass.

Experts say for patients with severe light-sensitive skin disorders the risks are a concern as even the small levels of ultra-violet emitted by some low energy light bulbs could be harmful to such patients, in particular Lupus sufferers whose condition may make them very photosensitive.

Experts say healthy people are at no risk providing the HPA's advice is followed.

The industry group the Lighting Association worked with the HPA on the study and has commissioned further independent research into the claims, and welcomed the precautionary advice issued.

The warning from the Agency is interim advice and more research into the problem by others and the Agency may prompt further advice.