Panic buyers have been stockpiling the humble lightbulb after a controversial EU decision rang the death knell for the product. Traditional 100-watt bulbs have now all but vanished from the High Street and hundreds of retailers have already sold their last remaining bulbs. The lightbulb’s demise is down to the Government’s decision to sign up to an EU initiative to replace conventional bulbs with supposedly greener low energy alternatives. Retailers stopped replenishing supplies of conventional bulbs at the start of the year under a Government scheme to force people to buy the ‘green’ bulbs. It is claimed that the switch will reduce carbon dioxide by around five million tons each year. However, the safety of the new bulbs has been questioned because low-energy fluorescent bulbs can trigger skin rashes, migraines and epilepsy and also contain mercury.