500 signatures reached
To: EU COMMISSION AND UK DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
OVERTURN BAN ON SAFE TRADITIONAL BULBS & REVIEW POTENTIALLY HARMFUL MODERN ENERGY SAVING BULBS
Overturn the mass phase out of safe traditional incandescent bulbs and reverse the campaign to mandate the introduction of low energy alternatives in all homes, businesses and public buildings. Furthermore, Research needs to be commissioned to determine which modern bulbs are safe.
Why is this important?
Most types of modern lighting emit Ultraviolet rays and Blue light which can be harmful to people who suffer from Light Sensitivity.
https://www.anses.fr/en/content/lighting-systems-using-light-emitting-diodes-leds-health-issues-be-considered
LED/CFL/Halogen Lighting can cause serious health consequences including the following:
1. Extreme eye pain for people who suffer from photo-sensitivity as these lights generate large spikes in the blue wavelengths.
2. Skin Cancer and other less threatening skin conditions such as burning sensation, rash, blisters.
3. Severe headaches (which aren’t migraines), nausea, inability to concentrate, unexplained exhaustion and other symptoms.
According to French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) the intense wavelengths in the blue part of the spectrum of light emitted by LEDs, and the associated radiation intensity, raise the question of new health risks related to these sources of lighting. In this context, ANSES published a report on the health effects of LED-based lighting systems in October 2010, along with recommendations intended in particular to improve controls on marketing of these products.
https://www.anses.fr/en/content/led-%E2%80%93-light-emitting-diodes
The expert appraisal carried out by ANSES showed that the risks of greatest concern, both in terms of the associated hazards and the probability of occurrence in a context of generalised use of LEDs, are related to the photochemical effects of blue light and glare. They are caused by:
spectral imbalance (significant proportion of blue light in white LEDs);
high levels of radiance5 (high brightness density per surface unit emitted by these very small sources).
The photochemical risk is associated with blue light and the level of risk depends on the cumulative dose of blue light to which an individual is exposed. It is generally the result of low-intensity, repeated exposure over long periods of time. There is significant evidence of this risk.
Populations that are particularly sensitive to this risk or that are highly exposed to blue light have been identified and include children, people with certain eye diseases and certain professional groups exposed to high-intensity light.
On the basis of these findings, ANSES considered it necessary to restrict sales of LED light systems to the general public to those systems that do not involve higher risks associated with blue light than conventional lighting. Furthermore, ANSES recommends revision of Standard NF EN 62 471 on the photobiological safety of lamps to adapt it to the specific characteristics of LEDs, to take into account sensitive populations and high exposure groups including certain professions such as lighting installers, entertainment industry workers.
Letters of support from UK based medical experts are available here:-
http://www.spectrumalliance.co.uk/support-from-medical-professionals
A consortium of charities represented through the Spectrum Alliance believe that around 2 million people in the United Kingdom are negatively affected by modern lighting.
http://www.spectrumalliance.co.uk/faq
Whilst energy saving modern bulbs may help in the campaign to reduce CO2 emissions, there are other negative environmental consequences to consider. A study (Environmental Science and Technology, January 2011) has found that LEDs contain lead, arsenic and a dozen other potentially hazardous substances.
http://eclipse.lupusuk.org.uk/guidetoartificiallighting.htm
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/122-a81/ LED Lighting and Retinal Damage in Rats
There are numerous cases of people suffering from a range of medical problems related to exposure to all new light bulbs. Increasingly people are exposed to these bulbs in most homes and businesses. Due to increased exposure, the problem will persist unless steps are taken to reverse the widespread installation of modern lights across the UK.
As there are serious health consequences for a number of people right throughout the UK and the rest of Europe, it is imperative that action is taken to scrap the ban on traditional lights and reverse the EU wide installation of dangerous modern lighting.
If modern lighting is installed in all public buildings and street lights, many people risk suffering serious, long-term symptoms which may mean having to give up their place of work unless adjustments are made.
Please sign this petition to request that the EU Commission and UK Department for Energy and Climate Change agree to the following:-
1. Overturn the absolute ban of all traditional incandescent light bulbs.
2. Order a review and research into the health/environmental impact arising from the use of modern lighting including LED, CFL & Halogen.
3. Suspend the mandated requirement to use modern lighting throughout the UK and EU.
https://www.anses.fr/en/content/lighting-systems-using-light-emitting-diodes-leds-health-issues-be-considered
LED/CFL/Halogen Lighting can cause serious health consequences including the following:
1. Extreme eye pain for people who suffer from photo-sensitivity as these lights generate large spikes in the blue wavelengths.
2. Skin Cancer and other less threatening skin conditions such as burning sensation, rash, blisters.
3. Severe headaches (which aren’t migraines), nausea, inability to concentrate, unexplained exhaustion and other symptoms.
According to French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) the intense wavelengths in the blue part of the spectrum of light emitted by LEDs, and the associated radiation intensity, raise the question of new health risks related to these sources of lighting. In this context, ANSES published a report on the health effects of LED-based lighting systems in October 2010, along with recommendations intended in particular to improve controls on marketing of these products.
https://www.anses.fr/en/content/led-%E2%80%93-light-emitting-diodes
The expert appraisal carried out by ANSES showed that the risks of greatest concern, both in terms of the associated hazards and the probability of occurrence in a context of generalised use of LEDs, are related to the photochemical effects of blue light and glare. They are caused by:
spectral imbalance (significant proportion of blue light in white LEDs);
high levels of radiance5 (high brightness density per surface unit emitted by these very small sources).
The photochemical risk is associated with blue light and the level of risk depends on the cumulative dose of blue light to which an individual is exposed. It is generally the result of low-intensity, repeated exposure over long periods of time. There is significant evidence of this risk.
Populations that are particularly sensitive to this risk or that are highly exposed to blue light have been identified and include children, people with certain eye diseases and certain professional groups exposed to high-intensity light.
On the basis of these findings, ANSES considered it necessary to restrict sales of LED light systems to the general public to those systems that do not involve higher risks associated with blue light than conventional lighting. Furthermore, ANSES recommends revision of Standard NF EN 62 471 on the photobiological safety of lamps to adapt it to the specific characteristics of LEDs, to take into account sensitive populations and high exposure groups including certain professions such as lighting installers, entertainment industry workers.
Letters of support from UK based medical experts are available here:-
http://www.spectrumalliance.co.uk/support-from-medical-professionals
A consortium of charities represented through the Spectrum Alliance believe that around 2 million people in the United Kingdom are negatively affected by modern lighting.
http://www.spectrumalliance.co.uk/faq
Whilst energy saving modern bulbs may help in the campaign to reduce CO2 emissions, there are other negative environmental consequences to consider. A study (Environmental Science and Technology, January 2011) has found that LEDs contain lead, arsenic and a dozen other potentially hazardous substances.
http://eclipse.lupusuk.org.uk/guidetoartificiallighting.htm
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/122-a81/ LED Lighting and Retinal Damage in Rats
There are numerous cases of people suffering from a range of medical problems related to exposure to all new light bulbs. Increasingly people are exposed to these bulbs in most homes and businesses. Due to increased exposure, the problem will persist unless steps are taken to reverse the widespread installation of modern lights across the UK.
As there are serious health consequences for a number of people right throughout the UK and the rest of Europe, it is imperative that action is taken to scrap the ban on traditional lights and reverse the EU wide installation of dangerous modern lighting.
If modern lighting is installed in all public buildings and street lights, many people risk suffering serious, long-term symptoms which may mean having to give up their place of work unless adjustments are made.
Please sign this petition to request that the EU Commission and UK Department for Energy and Climate Change agree to the following:-
1. Overturn the absolute ban of all traditional incandescent light bulbs.
2. Order a review and research into the health/environmental impact arising from the use of modern lighting including LED, CFL & Halogen.
3. Suspend the mandated requirement to use modern lighting throughout the UK and EU.
