A exaggerated warning statement against the low energy light bulbs ?
The independent research and information on the electromagnetic radiations centre (Criirem) blames in a study the emission of electromagnetic fields caused by the low energy light bulbs, recommending not to use them near the head. The Ademe, questioned by the drafting, limits the range of this investigation.
After the cell phones, the low energy light bulbs? Carriers of implants or medical prostheses of pacemaker type, in spite of your completely honourable environmental inclinations, should you avoid finding you near low energy light?
It is in substance what the independent research and information on the electromagnetic radiations centre (Criirem) strongly recommends in two official statements, dating one from last August 21st (“Alarm! Warning statement on the low energy light bulbs!”) and the other of September 22nd (“Low energy light bulbs: Alarm with electro pollutant lighting!”). As well it advises the private individual to avoid the use of these lamps near the head. In question? The important emission of electromagnetic radiations by lighting, “likely to seriously disturb the goods and the people” revealed by the results of a study undertaken jointly with a Spanish association. The research centre thus recommends the abandonment of these lamps as office or bedside lamps. A study relativized by the environment and control of energy agency (Ademe).
A warning statement which does not call into question energy saving
But what indicates the study exactly? Criinem explains that the people who use this type of fluocompact bulbs can «be exposed, according to the distance and the power, with electric fields going from 2 to 100 V/m». Thus, at twenty centimetres, the LELB would generate electromagnetic fields reaching «between 180 V/m and 4 V/m for powers from 20 to 11 Watts. With powers of 7 or 5 Watts, the electric radio frequency fields measured go from 34 to 2 V/m at less than 20 centimetres. It is necessary to reach 1 meter to find a value of 0,2 V/m, corresponding to the ambient radio frequency background noise» . An impact, important in particular at the startup time of the lamp (see table below).
This time, «big risks of electromagnetic compatibility» would be thus to fear for the people equipped with implants of pacemaker type, «because they can be exposed (…) in an instantaneous way, with electric field peaks of about 100 to 300 m/V.»
This emission would come from the electronic system contained in the base of the bulb: a simple shielding could cure it, according to Criinem. This one, which does not deny the energy saving generated by these low energy light bulbs, indicated to AFP having seized the environment and control of energy agency (Ademe) in order to encourage the manufacturers to act.
The Ademe: "one should not exaggerate"
Whereas the information starts to be mentioned again in the media, on the side of the Ademe, contacted by the drafting, they indicate not to have had a contact with the Criinem. Its lighting expert, Herve Lefebvre, is astonished on certain advanced points, indicating that this study carries nevertheless to discussion, that "it should be put at its right value". Mr Lefebvre indicates "not to call into question the data but, such as it is indicated, it is really necessary to be very very close to the lamp so that there is truly an impact. Moreover, the studied bulbs do not have all the same effects."
Only some of them exceed the threshold recommended by the European Union, this standard is of 28 V/m. «Beyond 30 cm, the rate of radiation passes largely under the recommendations». -see the table- He also underlines that one does not know which is the true effect of these electromagnetic fields on the human being. "There are many other equipment which emits some much more than the LELB." Employed terms – "seriously likely to disturb", «alarm», warning statement to the carriers of pacemakers - according to him would thus be exaggerated, specifies he in answer to a question about this point.
The Ademe representative indicates that he will meet the next week the sources of light commission of the lighting trade union to give a progress report on this study. The Agency will see then if it is necessary to carry out new analyses and if a reinforcement of the ballasts proves to be necessary in certain cases. Lastly, Herve Lefebvre indicates being «astonished» by the publishing of this study while "one speaks more and more about the end of the incandescent lamps."
Pauline Polgar
