Energy-Saving Lamps & Health Links

1. Factual links

   Some of the websites providing reliable scientific information on Energy Saving Lamps:

   • 1. European regulation encouraging the use of energy-saving lamps
   • 2. International standard on optical radiation
   • 3. Public bodies addressing health effects of fluorescent lamps
   • 4. Organizations addressing light sensitivity in general
   • 5. Links explaining how fluorescent lamps work

Factual links

1. European regulation encouraging the use of energy-saving lamps

• In early 2008, a European Commission regulation was endorsed to progressively phase out incandescent bulbs by 2012 and switch to energy-saving lamps. The regulation is only one of the Eco-design measures adopted by the Commission targeting many more products such as consumer electronics, white goods or heating appliances. More information at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/ecodesign/regulatory_committee_en.htm 

2. International standard on optical radiation

• The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has recommended guideline levels to protect eyes and skin from exposure to optical radiation.
  More information at: www.icnirp.org/PubOptical.htm 

3. Public bodies addressing health effects of fluorescent lamps

• Research by the U.K. Health Protection Agency has shown that some compact fluorescent lights can emit ultraviolet radiation at levels that can result in exposures higher than guideline levels. More information at: www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1223534061375 
• Defra, the U.K Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs answers some questions related to the benefits and risks of energy saving lamps:
  www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/products/lightbulbs.htm 
• The Australian Government answers a number of health questions related to compact fluorescent lamps at: www.environment.gov.au/settlements/energyefficiency/lighting/faq-health.html 
• The National Research Council Canada published a document in 2001 on the “Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting: a review of its effects on physiology and health”. The PDF document is available at:  http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/fulltext/nrcc43097/nrcc43097.pdf
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) explains flicker, its causes and potential health effects. The questions and answers can be found at:
  www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lighting_flicker.html 
• Lupus Canada published an article comparing compact fluorescent lamps bulbs to incandescent bulbs, and their effect on people suffering from Lupus:
   www.lupuscanada.org/newsletter/pdf/Light-Bulb.pdf

4. Organizations addressing light sensitivity in general

• The support group for Sun Sensitive People Forum presents a diagnostic chart for sun sensitive conditions on its website : http://sun1.awardspace.com/Diagnosis/diagnostic_chart.htm 
• The Health Information Library of John Hopkins Medicine offers a clear description on photosensitivity, its symptoms, treatment, prevention, etc. More information at:
  www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health_information_library/index.html?ArticleID=19654 
• Light sensitivity is one of epilepsy’s most complex conditions. Epilsepsy.com presents a number of questions and answers to shed light on this topic at:
  www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1140702445 
• The U.K. National Society for Epilepsy answers a number of questions on light sensitive epilepsy on its website: www.epilepsynse.org.uk/  
• FibromyalgiaSyndrome offers over 700 articles regarding fibromyalgia in general. Its report on light sensitivity gives a quick overview of the topic:
  www.fibromyalgiasyndrome.co.uk/light-sensitivity.html 

5. Links explaining how fluorescent lamps work

• The Howstuffworks website explains how fluorescent lamps are made and how they work. More information at: http://home.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp.htm 
• The website of GE lighting answers a series of questions on compact fluorescent light bulbs at:
  www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm