The voluntary withdrawal – part of a Government campaign to force people into buying low-energy fluorescent bulbs – follows the scrapping of the 150w bulb last year. The move has angered medical charities who say the low-energy alternatives can trigger a host of ailments, including migraines, epilepsy and skin rashes.The lightbulb revolution was first signalled by Gordon Brown in 2007.
The Government says the switch to low-energy bulbs will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by around five million tonnes a year – the equivalent to the emissions from a typical 1gigawatt coal-fired power station. Low-energy lightbulbs are miniature versions of the fluorescent striplights common in offices and kitchens. They use just a quarter of the energy of a conventional bulb. A single bulb can save a household around £7 a year.
However, critics complain that compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, making them dangerous to dispose of, and give off a harsh light more suited to offices than living rooms. (Source: Daily Mail)
