House of Commons Library brief MPs on Lighting Ban

Some people who suffer from light sensitivity can react to the UV emitted by fluorescent light bulbs, including CFLs. Some sufferers from light-sensitive versions of lupus, epilepsy and migraines have complained that their condition is worsened by either ultra violet emissions in the case of lupus sufferers, or flickering in the case of epilepsy and migraine sufferers. A

preliminary study from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has found that UV emissions from CFLs may exceed recommended levels when the bulbs are at close proximity to the skin (for example in desk lights). The HPA recommends that people suffering from light based sensitivities should be “cautious” about the use of CFLs.