Being too close to energy-saving light bulbs could cause skin reddening because of ultraviolet light emissions, health experts have warned.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) cautions against being closer than 30cm (1ft) to some compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs for long but it added there is no evidence that such bulbs pose a cancer threat.
Enclosed CFL lights, where the coil is covered like a traditional bulb, are safer, the agency advised.
The HPA said it was prompted to investigate the bulbs after being approached by groups representing people who suffer from light sensitivity issues. As a result of testing which revealed the potentially high levels of UV light emitted, the agency has issued guidelines against people using unencapsulated light bulbs (where light coil is visible) closer than 30cm to the body for more than one hour a day.
Source: BBC News, 9 October 2008
Chapter: Health,Skin Care :: 10 October 2008
