Energy saving lightbulbs could damage skin

Source: Energy Digital

Date :10/10/2008 09:41:38

The Government's public health safety watchdog has warned that energy saving lightbulbs can emit levels of UV radiation sufficient to damage skin.

The agency measured levels of UV light emitted by the bulbs. There have been concerns that the bulbs may aggravate light-sensitive conditions such as the blood disease lupus, eczema and porphyria.

Energy saving bulbs have been on the market for more than 20 years and come in two types – 'open' with the glass coil clearly visible, and 'encapsulated' where the coil is enclosed in a second layer of glass and looks more like a conventional light bulb.

The research showed that one in five of the 'open' bulbs emitted UV light equivalent to that experienced on 'a sunny day in summer' when in very close proximity (less than one inch) to the skin, which warranted 'some precaution'. When the light was moved further away, beyond one foot, the UV level was below the exposure on a sunny day in winter and was 'not a concern'.