Low energy light bulbs could cause health problems for tens of thousands of people, experts warned today.

Energy-saving fluorescent bulbs can cause skin conditions like eczema to flare up, said the British Skin Foundation.

Other health groups say the 'greener' design has also been linked to migraines and skin cancer.

And consumers will have to take more care disposing of spent or broken bulbs to avoid contamination from the poisonous mercury inside them.

The warnings come as the Government plans to phase out the availability of traditional "incandescent" lights to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor John Hawk, dermatology spokesman for the British Skin Foundation, said: "Certain forms of eczema, some of which are very common, do flare up badly anywhere near fluorescent lights, so these people have to just be around incandescent lights."

There are a "significant number" of people in the UK who are already unable to visit or work in buildings with fluorescent lighting, he added.

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