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.
Yeah, I had some teachers who thought I was acting out, trying to act cool or mysterious or something. It’s why I finally had to have a doctor write a note. Considering that I was mostly invisible in high school, except for getting good grades, you’d think they would have cut me some slack, but you know how bureaucracies are...
I’m sitting here thinking how amazing that so many people on this thread are upset about those in power making laws based on junk science.
I don’t seem to recall the issue, but it’s happened before and is happening in more and more states every day.
Let me sit here, light a cigarette, and think about what that issue is.
Hmmmmm.
I use 15-watt flourescent bulbs in track lighting in a 12-ft. kitchen ceiling, and in the hall for the dogs when I won’t be home before dark. I also have a 13-watt flourescent in my computer desk lamp because it burns so much cooler. I save $$ on my monthly bill. I’ve always known about the damaging light waves so I keep flourescents to limited applications. Anyway, it’s yet another case of liberalism always makes things WORSE.
Trans-fats?
*Puff*
Water pollution?
*Puff*
The Aitken’s diet?
*Puff*
No, I don’t recall, either.
I work in a vaulted area...strictly fluorescent light...and we hate it so much...we turn off the overhead lighting, and run lamps on our desk, with the computer screen providing the rest of the light necessary....”silent running” as we joke about it. You feel better at the end of the day and less headaches.
I was referring to skin problems and specifically eczema, not other autoimmune diseases...
I strongly believe that use of these things should be voluntary, and the government should butt out. I equally oppose "mandatory" for some with exceptions for society's leeches.
With 61,000,000 population in the UK, that represents about 0.0056 or 0.56% of the population.
I am certain of two things. First the losers will try and limit the use of these bulbs by the normal. And, if exceptions are made, there will be ten to twenty times that number claiming exemption, because they are special, and "special consideration" is a major part of their lives.
How to turn a simple subject into a huge deal...
“Good Intentions” meet “Road to Hell”
Carolyn
I wonder if they have a problem with LED lights?
Question: What is Environmentally Friendly about polluting our landfills with mercury, when these bulbs burn out, and are dumped in the trash?
Freepers, contact your elected moron(s) and tell them what you think of these garbage bulbs and to “get out of our private lives.”
Why not? Will they taunt me back?
Learn from their mistake.
Nothing, Yorkie.
Nothing.
Learn from their mistake.
Good point.
I need a higher fence around my CFLs.
Well, we are supposed to be given instructions as to how to dispose of them. I suppose when one burns out, we will have to lay in on foam, cover it with a vacuum shield, and wait until Haz-Mat can get there. (And pray the dog doesn’t knock it over and break it.) Heaven forbid! The house would have to be permanently and immediately vacated.
LOL. Most of the sites suggest you wrap the old bulb in a couple of plastic bags, before taling them to the outside trash can.
Mmmmkay. Plastic is now good? When I can't get plastic bags free at the grocery store anymore, I'm going to have to buy ziplock bags, to throw out my CFLs?
LOL! Call the crazy wagon to take me away. It looks like the whole world has gone crazy, but that is not possible, so I must be mad! Heh.
Ok - I was being sarcastic. I just hate those flourescent bulbs. The second I get in a room that uses them, the whites of my eyes turn red, and they start burning and watering. Then, the headache starts.
I’m going to fill the guest room with regular bulbs that are 4/$1.00 at WalMart. (Or, even buy the long-life GE bulbs, if I have to.)
Thanks for the link, fanfan!
Me too, sorta.
I hate the nanny state more than I hate those bulbs.
Your welcome.
~~Anthropogenic Global Warming ™ ping~~
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