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| Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine' | Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Energy-saving light bulbs could trigger migraines, say campaigners. | 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 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. | 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. | 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 ManningMigraine Action Association | We would ask the government to avoid banning them completely, and still leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased Karen ManningMigraine Action Association |
| Some bulbs use similar technology to fluorescent strip lights, and some users have complained that there can be a "flickering" effect. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "We would ask the government to avoid banning them completely, and still leave some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased." |
| Old technology | Old technology |
| However, the Lighting Association, which represents bulb manufacturers, said that the latest energy-saving bulbs did not produce a flicker. | 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. | 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." | "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. | Last year the charity Epilepsy Action reported that a small number of people with the illness could have seizures triggered by low-energy bulbs. |