Posted on 01/04/2008 7:41:31 AM PST by fanfan
Using environmentally friendly light bulbs can be seriously bad for your skin, doctors warn.
New energy-saving bulbs produce a more intense light which can cause eruptions of existing skin problems, like eczema, and even lead to skin cancer, they claim.
The revelation comes after health experts warned the fluorescent bulbs, which are to become compulsory in homes within four years, could trigger migraines and cause dizziness and discomfort to people with epilepsy.
The lives of thousands of people may be threatened if the government's plan to phase out the normal variety of incandescent lighting goes ahead without exemptions.
Sufferers could be prevented from using electric light in their own homes, visit family and friends, or have access to employment and public services.
The warning has been issued by Spectrum, an alliance of charities working with people with light sensitive conditions, and the British Association of Dermatologists.
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 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 are 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.
Skin Cancer will no longer be covered by Socialized Medicine. It’s for the planet.
Do not taunt “environmentally friendly light bulb”.
Why just this morning I heard a doc indicate that these bulbs also cause migraines and epilepsy. You’re gonna need a doc’s note to be able to have the “regular” bulbs in your home.
I hate flourescent light. I’ll shift to candelabras maybe for my morning reading. Would be kind of classy. How’s that for the environment?
I can see it now.
You’ll have to get a doctors note giving you permission to purchase the old type lightbulbs.
Then you’ll have to purchase them at the pharmacist desk where restricted items are sold.
You’ll have to sign the book so they can track you in case you’re buying too many for nefarious reasons.
What about all the existing straight-tube fluorescent bulbs in our homes and businesses now?
Why not? Will they taunt me back?
Subject: Happy Fun Ball
(kids)
It’s Happy!
It’s Fun!
It’s Happy Fun Ball!
(announcer)
Yes, it’s Happy Fun Ball,
the toy sensation
that’s sweeping the nation.
Only 14.95 at participating stores!
Get one Today
(background voice)
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children should avoid
prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Ball.
Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.
Happy Fun Ball contains a liquid core, which if exposed due to rupture
should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.
Do not use Happy Fun Ball on concrete.
Discontinue use of Happy Fun Ball if any of the following occurs:
* Itching
* Vertigo
* Dizziness
* Tingling in extremities
* Loss of balance or coordination
* Slurred speech
* Temporary blindness
* Profuse Sweating
or
* Heart palpitations
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter
and cover head.
Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types of skin.
When not in use, Happy Fun Ball should be returned to its special container
and kept under refrigeration.
Failure to do so relieves the makers of Happy Fun Ball, Wacky Products
Incorporated, and its parent company, Global Chemical Unlimited, of
any and all liability.
Ingredients of Happy Fun Ball include an unknown glowing substance which
fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.
Happy Fun Ball has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is
also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.
Happy Fun Ball comes with a lifetime guarantee.
(announcer)
Happy Fun Ball! Accept no substitutes!
I am stocking up on the regular lightbulbs while I can. Maybe I can save up enough to last until I shuffle off this mortal coil! What was it that Charleton Heston said, “From my cold, dead hands!” Guns and lightbulbs!
This is why you'll never find fluorescent lights in beauty shops, photographers' studios, theatrical dressing rooms and the like.
Say "cheese", ladies.
Leni
“environmentally friendly light bulb” providers should have
to obtain INFORMED CONSENT from those to whom they give this
mutagenic, toxic, structurally labile, irradiating devices.
This is just too beautiful. Another wonderful idea of the eco-fascists that causes more harm than good. Too bad most people will never know it because of the MSM’s continuous propogandizing for the left.
PF
Why is it I can’t buy a mercury thermometer, but will be forced to fill my home with mercury lights? I was told the planet would melt if I had a mercury thermometer break, but I am now forced to handle mercury 100 times more for the rest of my shortened life.
I am stocking up on the regular lightbulbs while I can.
______________________________________
That’s a great flipping idea. I’m in South Florida so maybe I will be able to boat out to a free nation, say Cuba, that still allows incandescent bulbs to keep up the supply also.
Hey, let’s all call James Sokolov and start a class action suit!
It might be profitable to stock up on the bulbs while they are still dirt cheap and available (96 Cents for a 4 pack at the local dollar store). You could probably make a fortune on ebay in about 10 years...
Those of us who are sensitive to them (and have the option) turn them off and bring lamps from home to light our offices. Some of the worst years of my life were high school. White desk tops, blue or gray walls, white linoleum floors, and tons of fluorescent bulbs. I had a head ache every day by the end of second period. I finally got a doctor's permission to wear my sunglasses in class.
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