Energy Saving Bulbs. Are they Dangerous?

The Health Protection Agency in Britain has given a warning about energy saving light bulbs. They claim that they can emit levels of ultraviolet radiation in sufficient quantity to damage the skin. The reporting of which has created a mild panic.

Some patients have complained that energy saving bulbs aggravates some light sensitive conditions. These include blood disorders such as lupus, eczema and porphyria. However, there is no evidence that they cause cancer.

The research has found that one in five of the open type bulb emitted the same UV levels as those experienced on a sunny day in summer. However, it turned out that these levels were only applicable to those people who use the energy saving bulbs in desk lamps or reading lamps. And for those levels to be achieved the bulb had to be about an inch away from the skin, and be constantly on the skin for at least an hour.

Before anyone panics over this report, you should remember that there are two types of energy saving bulbs. It is the open type to which the findings refer to. This is the type which has the glass coils open and in full view. If in doubt convert to the other type the encapsulated type. This is when the glass coils are in a glass cover, and they look very similar to the normal light bulb. Also keep the bulb at least 12 inches away from you. Having several bulbs which are hung from a ceiling should be alright, providing they are more than 24 inches away.

The spokesman for the Health Protection Agency, Chief Executive, James MacCracken, was quick to point out that the worst symptom is reddening of the skin. He also added that people should not change back to the old type of bulb. If anyone was concerned, he argued, they should use the encapsulated energy saving bulbs, or makes sure the open type is more than a foot away.

So why the fuss? Several newspapers reported the story as if environmentalists were forcing these changes onto a reluctant population and it was being done against their wishes. There was a certain amount of glee that an energy saving product could cause ill health.

Surely, if we have to protect the environment, we need responsible reporting on these issues. Why is it that so many people really want to see attempts to save our environment end up in disaster?