Eczema Nightmare As Brits Move To Low-Energy Bulbs

Jan 6 2008 By Fiona Young

THOUSANDS of people with skin conditions are being warned of the dangers of low energy lightbulbs.

Those with very severe light sensitivity are unable to tolerate exposure to ultra-violet light given off by the new bulbs.

And experts said yesterday they could cause complaints such as eczema to flare up.

The alert was issued as Britain prepares to phase out the traditional pear-shaped bulbs.

They will be replaced with more energy-efficient fluorescent models by 2011 as part of the UK's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor John Hawk, of the British Skin Foundation, said: "Fluorescent lights seem to have some sort of ionising characteristic where they affect the air around them.

"This does affect probably tens of thousands of people in Britain.

"Certain forms of eczema - some of which are very common - do flare up badly anywhere near fluorescent lights, so these people have to just be around incandescent lights."

The professor said there were a "significant number" of people in the UK who are already unable to visit or work in buildings with fluorescent lighting.

Consumers were warned yesterday to take care while disposing of broken low-energy bulbs - which contain poisonous mercury.

The Environment Agency said retailers and the authorities needed to do more to inform the public about safe recycling of the new-style bulbs.