Fighting Energy-Saving Lightbulbs

Well, that power outage only lasted about 18 hours.  And, the snow didn't cause too many trees to create obstacles in the driveway.  Et cetera.  And the forecast is sure looking ominous again.  Anyway...

You don't hear many Americans griping about the health problems caused by energy-saving fluorescent bulbs.  Not so in England, which is phasing out the use of incandescent bulbs by 2011.  I'd clipped the following article a few days ago, and then ran into a follow-up today...once I regained the capability to surf the net.

The Migraine Action Association (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.

...

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.

Manufacturers say that the newer bulbs don't produce a flicker.  But, older technologies do.

The second article expanded the list of maladies.

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

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.

...

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.'

I can't wait to hear the health problems that LED lighting can cause.    

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.

Maybe the UK should make incandescent bulbs available only to those with a doctor's prescription. 

Comments

[Mike]

Not just the Brits. Our own, brand new Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 also bans incandescent bulbs in the U.S. by 2014.

Edison be damned, but the new bulbs are poisonous little mercury bombs. Don't break them! and if you do, move out!

The Nation Goes Blind! Americans are now to scrabble around in the dark because it's too warm on Planet Earth and we've got to cool this puppy down.

Extreme wackos with Fascist intent have us by the short hairs. Ouch!