Energy saving bulbs 'release cancer causing chemicals', say scientists

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:07 PM on 20th April 2011

New fears: Cancer causing chemicals are released by energy-saving bulbs when they are switched on, scientists said

Energy saving bulbs emit cancer causing chemicals it was claimed last night as new fears were raised about their safety.

Scientists said they should not be left on for long periods of time or placed close to a person's head because they release poisonous materials.

The EU has unveiled plans to phase out 'normal' incandescent bulbs by the end of next year as they try to cut carbon emissions.

They should not be used by adults to read or kept near a child's head all night, the experts said.

While it is already known that harmful amounts of Mercury are released if one of the new 'green' bulbs is broken, the latest research shows other carcinogenic chemicals are emitted when they are switched on.

The German research shows that the chemicals are released as a form of steam.

The harmful substances include phenol - a poison injected by the Nazis to kill thousands of concentration camp victims during World War II - and the human toxins naphthalene and styrene.

Tests showed that the materials used to make the lamps are probably responsible for their potentially harmful side effects.

Andreas Kirchner, from the Federation of German Engineers, said: 'Electrical smog develops around these lamps. I therefore use them only very economically. They should not be used in unventilated areas and definitely not in the proximity of the head.'

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'They should not be used in unventilated areas and definitely not in the proximity of the head.'

The report on German television forced the country's environmental protection agency to issue a warning against 'public hysteria.'

The Department for the Environment has insisted that the bulbs are safe.

Dr Michelle Bloor, lecturer in Environmental Science at Portsmouth University, told the Daily Express: 'Further independent studies would need to be undertaken to back up the presented German research.'

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Bring back real light bulbs, which served us so well for so long....and give the EU a two fingered salute....too ridiculous for words

- Tessa, Ireland, 20/4/2011 20:47

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No wonder they gave the elderley free light bulbs -One way of getting rid of us oldies and beats paying us a pension!

- second class pensioner, Very Broken Britain, 20/4/2011 20:34

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The only way these are worth using is to leave them on for long periods, they use 10 times the electricity to start that an ordinary incandescent bulb does. Its another case of the ones lacking in common sense leading the over educated into stupid unnecessary laws banning everything they don't like. They are supposed to combat 'global warming' whilst producing far more 'greenhouse gasses' than what they replaced. Answer, get out of the EEC tomorrow and reduce parliament by 75%, MPs should have worked in industry before being elected, we wouldn't have the stupidity we have now!

- John , Cambridge, 20/4/2011 20:29

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So they shouldn't be left on for long periods of time? Well what are we supposed to do during the winter when we have long, dark nights?

- Susanne, Lightwater, Surrey, England, 20/4/2011 19:43

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"Energy saving bulbs 'release cancer causing chemicals', say scientists"------------Oh I see, you believe them when you want to, because you like being frightened or because you want nothing to change, but when you don't like the sound of it, it's "What do scientists in their ivory towers know?" You treat information as if you can vote if it's true or not. Why not treat everything with the same healthy scepticism? Not believing some things with the ingenuousness of village idiots being sold miracle cures but then rejecting other things out of hand.

- Diasporate Dan, Cow Pie Island, 20/4/2011 19:30

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Unfortunately the cancer issue is not the only problem with CFLs, or even LEDs... CFL Safety ( ceolas.net/#li18eax ) Home Safety -- Radiation -- Health The CFL Mercury Issue Breakage -- Recycling -- Dumping -- Mining -- Manufacturing -- Transport -- Power Plants LEDs: The Lead and Arsenic Issue Lead, arsenic and other toxic content, home breakage and disposal concerns The Overall Small Energy Savings USA Dept of Energy and EU official sources, less than 1% of society energy usage saved from light bulb regulations ....notice also how major light bulb manufacturers welcome the ban on unprofitable cheap simple types of incandescent light bulbs, allowing them to sell more CFLs, that people would not otherwise buy - and, arguably, justifiably would not buy.....

- peterdub, dublin ireland, 20/4/2011 19:25

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