Can low energy bulbs be harmful to your health? Yes, according to medical experts in the UK.

While the bulbs are touted as requiring low energy and therefore lower costs to run, the issue of the high intensity of the ultra violet light from these bulbs, has not been addressed here in the US.

People with skin conditions such as lupus, eczema, and psoriasis are affected by these types of bulbs, whereas, the low emissions from the traditional incandescent bulbs have not previously been thought to be a health concern.

According to a photodermatologist in London, the phasing out of traditional light bulbs can cause misery for the thousands of people who have light-sensitive skin disorders. Further, patients in the UK are now being treated for skin rashes caused by exposure to these low energy bulbs.

While we are all aware of the issue of mercury in these flourescent bulbs - and while that in itself should be reason enough for ecological concern - the issue of how it can affect our skin has not been addressed at all.

How about some food for thought? If these low energy bulbs can have an effect on people who already have skin disorders, can we be sure they will NOT affect the skin of babies? Can we be sure that they will NOT, in the future, cause skin disorders and sensitivity problems to people who do not presently have sensitive skin issues?

Further, while it is noble to want to reduce greenhouse emissions - why can it NOT be done in a way that will NOT create other serious problems, i.e. health issues, and the use of mercury in the bulbs?

A quicker approach would be to work with what we have by installing motion detectors so bulbs will not burn all the time - as in hallways. This is commonly done in other countries - you enter the premises, the light goes on; you leave and the light goes out. Also, there is no reason for office buildings to have lights on 24/7. Often in my travels overseas, the skylines would darken at night unlike here in NYC where lights are too often ablaze for no good reason.

New technology must be ecologically responsible in every way. And if it's not, we should not just accept it because it is new and someone has a product to sell.

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