Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / HEALTH
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Health Contents:  Medical notes

Wednesday, 2 January 2008, 11:40 GMT

Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine'

Low-energy bulbs Energy-saving light bulbs could trigger migraines, say campaigners.

The Migraine Action Association says members have told them how fluorescent bulbs have led to attacks.

The government is set to prevent the sale of conventional light bulbs within the next four years in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Concerns have already been raised by epilepsy charities about an increased risk of seizures from energy-saving bulbs.

"We would ask the government to avoid banning them completely, and still leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased"
Karen Manning
Migraine Action Association


Some bulbs use similar technology to fluorescent strip lights, and some users have complained that there can be a "flickering" effect.

They use approximately a quarter of the energy of conventional bulbs, and in September, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that a voluntary agreement with retailers would remove all conventional bulbs from the shops by December 2011.

However, Karen Manning, from the Migraine Action Association, said this could be damaging to some sufferers.

She said that up to six million people in the UK suffer from some sort of migraine attack.

"These bulbs do trigger migraines for some of our members - it's either the flickering, or the low intensity of the light, causing eye strain.

"We would ask the government to avoid banning them completely, and still leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased."

Old technology

However, the Lighting Association, which represents bulb manufacturers, said that the latest energy-saving bulbs did not produce a flicker.

A spokesman said: "A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear fluorescent lamps.

"These were almost certainly triggered by old technology."

Last year the charity Epilepsy Action reported that a small number of people with the illness could have seizures triggered by low-energy bulbs.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Clue to migraine headache cause (25 Dec 07 |  Health )
Pharmacies to sell migraine drug (19 May 06 |  Health )
Can acupuncture cure my migraine? (04 Sep 06 |  Health )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Migraine Action Association
Energy Saving Trust
Lighting Association
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Health Contents:  Medical notes

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©