Energy-Saving Bulbs Causing Migraine Headaches
Compact fluorescent bulbs, the twisted looking replacement lights that use as little as one fourth the power of their common incandescent counterparts (and last much longer), are being adopted worldwide in an effort to reduce energy consumption. They are even becoming mandatory in some countries -- a little troubling according to the Daily Mail, which reports that health experts in the U.K. say the green bulbs can cause migraine headaches or other disconcerting symptoms in many people.The bulbs work in the same way as the long, traditional fluorescent tube lights seen in many commercial establishments. This means that they can produce light that subtly flickers, unnoticeable by many, but a big problem for others, especially epileptics, who can suffer from seizures under fluorescent bulbs. According the U.K.'s Migraine Action Association and other health organizations, the lights also cause headaches, as well as nausea, dizziness, and even physical pain for those suffering with lupus, according to the study.
In both the United States and the United Kingdom, traditional incandescent bulbs are set to be completely phased out by 2012. Surely those with medical conditions can be given exemptions easily enough, but if they can't simply walk into a store and buy a traditional bulb, just how many companies will continue manufacturing them and how much will they cost? Will traditional bulb clubs be the marijuana-buying clubs of the 21st century?
Such recent health concerns around energy-saving fluorescent bulbs might be another reason to push research into production of LED-based lighting options, which are even more efficient than CFL lighting, and even more durable, with a single bulb potentially never burning out. Such LED-based bulbs are available now, but at per-bulb costs that dwarf those of the relatively expensive CFL bulbs.
From The Daily Mail
Related Links:
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)
Fay said 4:38AM on 2-05-2008
I'm not a lighting expert, but I am a sufferer from Irlen syndrome.
Any form of strong lighting - fluroescent or sunlight will bring on migraines.
The reason? The lighting - particularly fluro lighting - causes me to have dyslexia. Add that to a busy job and hey presto, migraines!
I have these bulbs in my house. I actually went out and replaced the 'normal' bulbs with these believing that I was doing the right thing. Now as soon as I can I'll be ripping them out.
I run three desk lamps at work. Oh yes. All you energy experts will be horrified. We've had to switch off the four fluro lights that bored into my brain all day long from above so now I sit in semi-darkness. If I have a headache coming on, I might even turn them off.
Migraines/dyslexia can be managed. How can you compare the cost of four desk lamps with the cost of my sick leave, my emotional turmoil and the duty of care that my workplace has so thankfully fulfilled in me?
These light-saving bulbs are not the answer.
The people who run the Irlen Syndrome clinics estimate that up to 10% of the Australia population may suffer from the problem. If the problem is genetic and my children suffer from it, then don't force them to endure a life-time of life under flurescent lighting at school AND at home!
Allow people the freedom to choose what they use in their homes.
Don't make those of us who already suffer in other way have to pay stupid prices for a $1 bulb!
Reply
David said 10:52PM on 3-30-2008
For those of you who are saying this is BS - IT IS NOT.
Just because fluorescent light doesn't cause you problems does not mean everyone else is like you.
I always used CRT computer monitors, and then switched to LCD monitors (which are backlight by fluorescent light) and had daily horrible headaches. It took me 6 months of daily headaches to figure out that it could be fluorescent light. Once I eliminated the LCD monitor and all of these "ECO" lights, I no longer have daily headaches.
I'm all for green energy savings but we need to figure out a way to make a more natural light.
Reply
Elizabeth said 6:38PM on 5-28-2008
I can not be in the same room for more than a few minutes where these exposed bulbs are used.
I do have trouble with overhead lighting to begin with, and have been told it was due to my astigmatisms but the almost instant issue I have around these bulbs is extreme - and hurts!
We have had to leave more than one public place because they switched to these bulbs.
I am concerned about the possible legislation to make these mandatory but I guess I'll spend more time eating and shopping at home, by candle light if need be!!!
Reply
Jamie said 8:32AM on 6-18-2008
Most people don't know that the contents of fluorescent bulbs can be hazardous and must be disposed of properly. And you need to be especially careful if you accidently break one. Unlike traditional light bulbs where all you have to worry about when breaking one is cleaning up the glass, fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury.
Reply
Dan said 12:26PM on 7-21-2008
1) Mercury, According to Popular Mechanics there is very little mercury in the bulbs and this mercury is easy to properly dispose of. Likewise, the coal that would be burned to provide more electricity for using regular incandescent bulbs dumps about three times as much mercury right into our atmosphere for us to breath.
2) Migraines, Migraines have long been touted as a byproduct of old fluorescent and similar devises like monitors because they work at a slow 60hz. New compact fluorescent lights have ballasts that work at VERY high speeds that are WAY beyond our comprehension where flickering is noticed or might cause headaches. Many TVs and monitors are also faster now, up to 120hz, though still much slower than current CFL's and more likely to cause this type of problem.
Reply
dennisakuze said 3:57AM on 9-19-2009
This could be true. I have lived with this Migraine pain for about 2 years. i work in an office space that has many of these bulbs lighting from 8 am till the time we close at 8 pm. Back home i have my house full of these bulbs.In life i have come to accept this pain as i could not easily find the cause. What is so bad is that in Uganda my country, the government imports them and gives the out freely to save on power. The old bulbs are no more.
Bigger danger is that we don't even know how to dispose them off when they burn out. The best is to throw them out through the window. This is going to be a killer health bomb to many of the developing nations. What the way forward?
Reply
laprns said 10:07AM on 1-02-2008
The high mercury content is dangerous as well. These can not be disposed of safely-landfills are not equipped to deal with mercury any longer.
Reply
lmcb728@aol.com said 1:05PM on 1-02-2008
I installed one bulb that lasted about two months. Another blew up within two minutes. I have stocked up on incadescent bulbs. The mercury will fill the ground when they are placed in the dump
Reply
Don said 10:09AM on 1-02-2008
More unintended consequences of the greenies or is this an intended consequence?
You also just can't throw them out when they burn out either. They have to be taken to a waste disposal terminal because of the mercury used in them. More tax money to be spent to hire people to do those jobs.
Reply
Carol said 10:11AM on 1-02-2008
How should these be disposed of?
Thanks, Carol in NC
www.Nikken.com/Riddick
Reply
jen said 10:25AM on 1-02-2008
The same goes for the elongated flourescent bulbs used in most major stores. Meaning, people with flourescent sensitivity can't just go into a story these days anyway.
Reply
Vincent said 10:20AM on 1-02-2008
This is the problem in America. We rush into what "sounds" good all the time without doing any research. It is the reason why we have endless pages of laws too vast to ever read. We are drowning in regulation and may never get out. Ron Paul in 08, do the research.
Reply
stew said 10:20AM on 1-02-2008
will these new bulbs ever be available in 3 way types?
Reply
Dinah said 8:53PM on 1-02-2008
I hate those new bulbs and find the cold light depressing. Isn't there anything we can do to keep our nice warm cheery incandescents?
Reply
Tom said 10:23AM on 1-02-2008
The answer is LED light bulbs. They don't flicker, they do not contain mercury, thay are 100% eco friendly, They consume very little enery, produce no heat and last 50,000 hours!
Reply
UKBlueCat said 10:23AM on 1-02-2008
I tried using the "eco" lights and found out that they do cause migraines! I didn't figure it out until after a couple of them, but I did notice the flickering especially when reading!
Guess I'll have to hang out in the dark when these are the only bulbs available! Maybe I can start a stockpile of the incandescents!
Reply
natosha said 10:28AM on 1-02-2008
you know after reading this I can believe it. my entire home is done in the eco lights. and I suffer from a long exsisting migraine condition. the thing is though, ive been having them more often. and the lamp on my nightstand has one, and it has no lamp shade, and I get them the most in the middle of the night when I get up to get a drink or go potty, about 10 times a night, as I am also preggers. soooo the headaches could be cause of the pregnancy as any woman who has been preggers knows that headaches are a side effect due to swelling of all the membranes in your face and head. but I do find it strange it hurts the most when I use that lamp. two and two has probably been put together thanks to this artical. time to buy a new lamps shade or put a reg bulb in it while i still can lol
Reply
Marita said 10:30AM on 1-02-2008
We better work on this problem...we must start to do something agressively to curve our carbon footprint...and these lightbulbs are a good start..as for the mercury...it is minor and they must get deposed of properly...just like every battery ...they do not go in the trash can...yet worldwide 100's have hit the garbage can as we read and write...instead of being deposed of properly at a recylce center like Radio Shack Office Depot etc etc...we need information..lots of information.. education...lots of education...and we need inventors to rally to this problem we have on our hands.
Reply
blablabla said 10:29AM on 1-02-2008
The new generation of LED bulbs look very promising.(ccrane.com) They are much better than
when they initially arrived on the market.
Reply
kevinbeair said 10:41AM on 1-02-2008
If the goal of healthcare is to make people more healthly, then they should have to see a doctor less. So why then do the healthcare profits and the amount of care per person continue to rise? Because this is good business. They purposely make people sick to increase profits, how many people do you think pay a doctor for a $150 appointment complaining of migraines when the cause is a flurlesant bulb? And ofcourse they aren't going to tell you to get away from the bulbs, they are going to prescribe you a drug and make more money and make you sicker.
Reply