Quote:

 

EU to phase out 100 watt lightbulbs

It has illuminated our lives for more than a century - but from Tuesday the old fashioned 100 watt incandescent lightbulb is to be phased out as part of a European Union drive to curb climate change and save on energy bills.

Countries across the EU will start the mandatory phase-out of 100W and frosted incandescent lightbulbs in favour of energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) following a voluntary phase which started in 2007.

The new bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than standard bulbs, could cut a home's annual energy bill by up to £37 and save 135kg of CO2 each year, the Energy Saving Trust said.

But the move comes amid fears that Britain now faces a gloomier future as well as claims by campaigners that the new energy saving lightbulbs can trigger migraines, exacerbate skin conditions and lead to other health problems.

David Price, of Spectrum, an alliance of charities working with people with light-sensitive health conditions, said the Government was "disregarding" public concerns as it took the lead in European efforts to cut down on energy-inefficient products.

"Health is important and it should come over anything else, but they're not looking after ours," he said. "They're not listening to the public and aren't talking to the actual sufferers."

Brenda Ryder, 56, of Godshill, Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, who suffers from an extreme form of lupus, described how the growing presence of energy-saving fluorescent lightbulbs in the UK has forced her to stay indoors. "I really am housebound," she said.

She said exposure to the new lightbulbs led to a reddish-purple rash on her skin and "continuous vomiting", which could last for several weeks, making her "completely dependent" on her husband John, 54.

The British Association of Dermatologists (Bad) said it would be a "real worry" if no exceptions were being made for people such as Mrs Ryder.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was working closely with organisations representing the 36,000 people in the UK who have a "special health interest" and only "a small percentage" of these would need specialist bulbs.

Patrick

Monday, 31. August 2009, 15:29

...Am I alone in not liking those silly energy-saving "lightbulbs"? They never seem to emit enough light! And they don't seem to last as long as the proper lightbulbs! Now, they're doing away with the normal lightbulbs, they'll no longer be available. I'm going to stock up....

Joseph

Monday, 31. August 2009, 21:44

As to stocking-up on the old light bulbs, I'm with you all the way but my problem is I don't know where to get them from anymore. There is supposed to be quite a huge stock available, but there ain't any in our B&Q's etc, they've all been cleared from the shelves - so where can we buy them now?.

JRJ

Monday, 31. August 2009, 21:11

We in America feel your pain - a law has been passed to phase out the incandescent bulbs. But you need a hazmat crew to clean up a break with the CFL's since they are made with mercury. We do like their longevity - so long as they are not installed in a fixture that is frequently switched on and off; that reduces their lifespan - and that they are cooler. Hot summers here.

karenjane

Tuesday, 1. September 2009, 06:00

JRJ

Monday, 31. August 2009, 21:11

We in America feel your pain - a law has been passed to phase out the incandescent bulbs. But you need a hazmat crew to clean up a break with the CFL's since they are made with mercury. We do like their longevity - so long as they are not installed in a fixture that is frequently switched on and off; that reduces their lifespan - and that they are cooler. Hot summers here.

On the subject of mercury we do not use the traditional thermometers now in hospital. That's all gone. We now use tympanic thermometers.
(in the ear) They work by placing the tip of thermometer in the ear and hey presto you get the digital reading instantly. Research has shown it took 8 minutes for a correct reading by the old style thermometers. So hence the new modern update.

karenjane

Patrick

Tuesday, 1. September 2009, 00:56

And no, I don't know why he had a blue lightbulb in his downstairs toilet!