Warning over eco light bulbs

9 October 2008 12:54pm

Some energy-saving light bulbs emit ultraviolet radiation that could be harmful if placed too close to the skin.

New research has found that some unencapsulated fluorescent light bulbs - where the shape of the coil is clearly visible - emit UV radiation that could make the skin red if used for long periods of time closer than 30cms (one foot) to the body.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued the warning to people who use a reading lamp or desk lamp close to their body and the tens of thousands of people suffering from medical conditions that make them sensitive to UV light.

People whose work involves close work with their hands under a light bulb, such as jewellery makers, could also be affected.

The HPA said people should not use the light bulb closer than 30cms to the body for more than one hour a day or should switch to an encapsulated style of energy saving light bulb, where the outer layer of glass looks more like a traditional bulb.

But it said families should not remove energy saving light bulbs from their homes, adding that there was no risk of skin cancer.

The agency's chief executive Justin McCracken said: "We are not saying these could cause cancer.

"At the exposure levels we are talking about the worst effect that we believe there is as result of our investigation is that people could have some short-time reddening of their skin.

"We do not believe that these lights pose any significant risk in terms of skin cancer. This is precautionary advice and people should not be thinking of removing these energy saving light bulbs from their homes.

"We are advising people to avoid using the open light bulbs for prolonged close work until the problem is sorted out and to use encapsulated bulbs instead. In other situations, where people are not very likely to be very close to the bulbs for any length of time, all types of compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe to use."

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