Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
132. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason incandescent bulbs are banned in Ireland, given people with extreme light sensitivity/photosensitivity cannot use regular bulbs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46237/23]
View answerIreland’s approach to light bulbs derives from EU ecodesign regulations. My colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has responsibility for the implementation of the Ecodesign Directive.
I understand that EU rules on ecodesign for lighting products can be found in EU Regulation for ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate control gears (EU) 2019/2020 (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2019.315.01.0209.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2019:315:TOC), which repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) 244/2009 (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1521113778203&uri=CELEX%3A32009R0244), Regulation (EC) 245/2009 (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1521114161802&uri=CELEX%3A32009R0245) and Regulation (EU) 1194/2012 (eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32012R1194).
The rationale for the EU regulations is to replace incandescent bulbs and other inefficient lighting with more energy-efficient alternatives from an eco-design perspective, and to support the move towards a more resource efficient circular economy. The regulations save energy, limit CO2 emissions, and help consumers save money in lower electricity bills without the loss of functionality. Advancement in the LED technology has allowed for a wide range of bulbs with varying luminosity and control functions to be available within the Irish market.
In its Frequently Asked Questions on phasing out conventional incandescent bulbs available online(1), the Commission had a question and answer on the effect of the proposal on light sensitive people. In addition, the Commission has published a scientific committee opinion on the Health Effects of Artificial Light. This can be also be viewed online(2).
The scientific committee found that there are a number of individuals across Europe who suffer from a variety of disorders which renders them exceptionally sensitive to UV/blue light radiation. The prevalence of these conditions is extremely low (ranging from one case per 3,000,000 to 0.0004% and 0.02% of the general population). The prevalence of only polymorphic light eruption (ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/energy-saving-lamps/glossary/pqrs/polymorphic-light-eruption.htm).ht represents a sizable portion (up to 20%) of the general population. However, due to the nature of the condition, the likelihood of patients with polymorphic light eruption to be affected by CFL is rather low. The number of all patients in Europe, who might be at risk from the increased levels of UV/blue light radiation generated by CFL, is estimated at around 250,000 individuals. Hypersensitive patients are constantly at risk of exposure to much higher levels of UV/blue light radiation from sources other than CFL. Therefore, those patients are usually closely monitored and provided advice by health care professionals. The committee notes that the use of double envelope energy saving bulbs or similar technology in the dwellings of such individuals would largely or entirely mitigate this increased risk.
[1] ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_09_368)
[2] Health Effects of Artificial Light - European Commission (europa.eu) (ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/artificial-light/en/index.htm#7)
