Recent study by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a British government agency showed that exposure to energy saving light bulbs may cause reddening of the skin and hence skin damage due to ultra violet light emissions. The study was conducted to check the level of harm caused by the duration of exposure to these eco bulbs. The present study was done after groups representing people who suffer from light sensitivity issues approached the agency. The HPA tested 20 encapsulated and 53 unencapsulated bulbs for UV exposure.

The study showed that people who spend four hours a day or more at almost 8” from the bulb cross existing guidelines on exposure. The study revealed that the amount of UV level exposure at a 1” distance from the bulb is equal to the UV level exposure in open places on a sunny summer’s day in UK. 

Researchers said that UV exposure level at more than 12” is virtually safe. 

The study also showed that an unencapsulated energy-saving bulb closer than 30cm to the body puts us at increased UV radiation risk. Researchers warned that a person should not use open bulbs closer than one foot to the body for more than one hour a day or they should switch to encapsulated bulbs. People using reading lamps on their bedside tables have higher UV risks. 

Researchers added that bulbs without the glass covering emit UV radiation 20% higher than guideline levels. Encapsulated fluorescent light bulbs, surrounded by a glass cover resembling traditional bulbs, do not emit high levels of UV.  

The agency didn’t blame a single company for making bulbs emitting UV radiation. During the test one in five unencapsulated bulbs was found to have UV radiation emissions from a pool of 20 encapsulated and 53 unencapsulated bulbs. Industry group the Lighting Association has welcomed the precautionary advice of HPA. However it will conduct a separate study to verify the result.

Dr John O'Hagan, group leader of the HPA's Radiation Protection Division, said his research had suggested the problem may be caused by issues such as phosphor, bends in the glass or the quality of the glass.  

Professor Harry Moseley, Consultant Clinical Scientist at the University of Dundee, said: "We are concerned about the risks to patients who have severe light-sensitive skin disorders. 

Chief executive Justin McCracken, said: “At the exposure levels we are talking about, the worst effect that we believe there 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. In situations where people are not likely to be very close to the bulbs for any length of time, all types of compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe to use.”