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
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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 19)
Robin J. Bowden said 11:22AM on 1-02-2008
Just another way to suck more money from the consumer.As if things don't cost enough,what happened to be an individual,just because it is good for one person doesn't mean it is good for everyone else.One word discibes this,absurd.
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Mike said 11:23AM on 1-02-2008
Hospitalization-grade Migraines for me come from:
--flickering flourescent lights (CFL, too maybe)
--flickering computer screens
--those blue/purple foreign-car headlights
--Home Depot purple or pink in-store lights
--Chemical air fresheners
--Chemical scented candles
--Chemicals from Bath & Body mall shops
STOP buying these things and end the demand for them. How many artificial lighting & scenting & sweetening concoctions can the human body survive?
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shirley said 11:24AM on 1-02-2008
You all comment as though these are a NEW item. Perhaps we were in a test market area many years ago. We had them in every light fixture we could, and we didn't repurchase any of them for reasons of expense, disposal, and purpose of lighting (eg office/reading/handwork).
It still comes back to basics.
You want to use less electricity....use the smallest wattage bulb for your purpose and then....turn off the lights when you leave the room. Turn your thermostat down another 2 degrees and wear another layer of clothes or wrap up in an afghan.
You want to consume less gasoline?...make your trips count(do multiple tasks when out), use public transportation if in a city, or carpool. I know of more people who drive higher mpg vehicles and because they get such "great" mileage, run the wheels off them while they look down their nose at my SUV.
While I am at it, if I am to beleive that ice covered a great portion of the midwest some many thousands of years ago, and thus created great rivers, mountains, and plains, then I think I am going to assume that we have been warming globally for many thousands of years...with no contribution by man.
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Rhett said 11:24AM on 1-02-2008
To the person asking - yes, they come in 3 way and dimmable types now. Have used them for over 3 years -never replaced one and really decreases the light bill.
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Dan Wilkins said 11:27AM on 1-02-2008
Compact fluorescent lamps, CFL's, have been around for a long time. It's popularity as an energy saver has created competitive producers of these lamps, especially in the self ballasted retro fit business. The competitive production increases have made the CFL's more affordable and more reliable due to the increased technological improvements. Of these improvements is there is less or no flicker. except when the lamp is nearing its end of life. I recommend sticking with the major brands that have the resources to produce a quality lamp, i.e. Philips, GE, Sylvania. L.E.D. lamps are a few years out in having enough light output with the warmer colors.
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Chey said 11:33AM on 1-02-2008
Bought a flurosent bulb, love them in the kitchen . was a 10 yr warranty, but i always misplace the receipt. put in chandelier. burnt out next day. had four in a package, they lasted each one day !! wow and i paid nearly 10.00 for each one ! I like traditional liteing while sewing, and living and bedrooms. but enjoy the other lites in kitchen,and laundry areas. but not at 10.00 a day per litebulb! Looks like need a fireplace and oil like in my grandmothers day.
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MJ Menzella said 11:24AM on 1-02-2008
I heard a Polish Study showed they cause excessive WHINING. Or maybe not.
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Pat De Range said 12:18PM on 1-02-2008
These energy saving bulbs DON'T cause MIGRAINE head achs...we are a familty of migraine sufferers WAY before these bulbs were even thought of. Now I say it's the regulare old fashioned bulbs that are causing the head achs. I have switched over to the twirly bulbs, do not have one regular bulbs left in my house.
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john stralla said 11:54AM on 1-02-2008
i am hearing impaired these new twisted bulbs cause static in my hearing aids and my tv ears makeing a bad situation when im around these bulbs.
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Clyde1260 said 11:37AM on 1-02-2008
This is a bunch of BS
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Crazy Mom 2000 said 2:01PM on 1-02-2008
When I had to repace my lightbulbs, I figured to go with the new flourecent bulbs, and maybe save some money. But in reading this article,it makes sense- I was diagnosed with migraines at 12, and now at 40 they are getting much worse. Since this is a side effect of the bulbs-I'm getting rid of them-and using the good old fashioned ones. Also, my eye doctor told my that flourescent lights are the worst for your eyes- because of the constant flickering.
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Carole said 11:30AM on 1-02-2008
Perhaps this article solved a muystery! I recently began switching to these bulbs as my conventional ones burned -out. Never one to have headaches, I have had headaches since I switched my bedside reading lamp to them. I never connected this to the bulbs until I read this article.
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Dee said 11:32AM on 1-02-2008
In addition to costing more and creating landfill problems, these bulbs do NOT last any longer than incandescant. This is probably just another scam to make us have to pay more $$. Everything boils down to that anyway.
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Tex said 11:37AM on 1-02-2008
I found 3-Way Florescent bulbs at Lowe's store.
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cwvglass said 11:34AM on 1-02-2008
I think everyone needs to know the bulbs contain as much Mercury and in some cases more as the long lamps. I say if you use them ask Wal- Mart to dispose of it for you. You could mail them to your goverment in Washington,no wait a minute thats likely not legal.
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Carol Coats said 11:35AM on 1-02-2008
I have tried these new bulbs and have had them removed from my house. I would never voluntarily use them again. The light is dimmer (same wattage as traditional bulbs), depressing, and hurt my eyes, which will start headaches, as well. I'm concerned about the higher mercury content, disposal problems, and agree that they have not been adequately researched before jumping another cost-cutting bandwagon, which will, I believe, end up creating more expense in other ways in the final picture.
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E. Smith said 11:33AM on 1-02-2008
In addition to costing more and creating landfill problems, these
bulbs do NOT last any longer than incandescant. This is probably
just another scam to make us have to pay more $$. Everything boils
down to that anyway.
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jearley said 11:36AM on 1-02-2008
There are several good points raised here, and a good solution. The LED lights will be a great solution to the problem, when the cost comes down. The problem with color is an easy one- just get lights with a spectrum close to 2500K, the temperature of an incandescent. The problem here is that incandescents are 'blackbody' emitters, and fluorescents are not. There are two different fluorescents made. One matches sunlight, and looks too 'white' for inside lighting.
I do not believe that there is an elevated skin cancer risk from these type of lights. There is one from unshielded halogens, but not these. but- they are all made in China, and as we know to our sorrow, not all goods made there are safe.
In fact, I do not like these lights because they are made in China.
The mercury is certainly a problem, and there will have to be some sort of recycle program. I believe that at least one of the companies that sells these allows you to send old ones back to them.
As to the poster who suggested that this is some sort of 'greenie' plot, you are free to use whatever kind of light you like. I would suggest whale oil lamps, as they burn very nicely, with no smoke, and you can be happy that you are being soooo non ecologically correct. Costs a lot of money though- just like using incandescents.
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Stasia said 11:38AM on 1-02-2008
we have several of the used eco's ready to be disposed and don't know where to take them. We live in the Chicago area, does anyone know who takes them?
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glenn said 11:38AM on 1-02-2008
For those who wondered about the eco bulbs being made in 3 way..the answer is YES!I have them and they do come in different levels of brightness. They take a little getting used to. I purchase mine at Lowes but I believe most of the larger harware chains carry them and I have even found them at my local grocery,Publix
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