Energy efficient bulbs blamed for triggering migraines

According to a British migraine lobby group, energy efficient light bulbs could be causing migraines.

The British Migraine Action Association says such bulbs trigger migraines in some sufferers because of the flickering, or the low intensity of the light, which causes eye strain.

Many countries around the world have recently moved towards banning standard incandescent bulbs, which lose most of their energy as heat, in favour of compact fluorescent lights and in September last year the British environment secretary announced a voluntary agreement that would see stores stop selling all conventional bulbs by the end of 2011.

The migraine lobby group are calling on the government to avoid banning them completely, and allow some opportunity for conventional bulbs to be purchased.

Other countries are following suit with Australia announcing last February that it was going to prohibit the use of incandescent bulbs by 2010 in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and in Canada, the federal government said last April that it would ban the sale of inefficient light bulbs by 2012.

Canada says implementing the ban would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than six million tonnes a year and save homeowners about $60 annually in electricity costs.

The lighting industry however says that the latest bulbs do not flicker but concerns have also been raised by epilepsy charities about an increased risk of seizures from energy-saving bulbs.

The bulbs use approximately a quarter of the energy of conventional bulbs.