Health and safety advice for energy-saving light bulbs issued

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a statement warning companies not to use certain energy-saving compact fluorescent lights where employees will be in close proximity.

Firms are being recommended to avoid the fixtures as they can lead workers to being exposed to more than the recommended level of ultraviolet light.

Chief executive of the HPA Justin McCracken states the advice is precautionary and affects only open light bulbs.

"We are advising people to avoid [these] for prolonged close work until the problem is sorted out," he says.

He adds: "In other situations … all types of compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe to use."

The affected single-envelope lights emit a level of ultraviolet light equivalent to being bare skinned in direct summer sunlight.

Double-envelope compact fluorescent light bulbs do not emit a dangerous level of ultraviolet light and so do not present this risk.

Workers suffering certain medical conditions such as lupus may have an adverse reaction to the affected form of lighting.

The HPA provides an integrated approach to protecting health involving a number of agencies including the Department of Health.